It has been a long time since I have updated.. work is busy and my colleague is driving me through the wall…that bitch… but nonetheless I still have stuffs to write. 

Football fever

While watching the world cup, which fortunately I have been able to catch, I noticed that footballers are the most protected athletes in the world today. At any time when a player writhes in agony either done theatrically or with medical seriousness, pretend “doctors” who are actually medics would run up to them, all fussing that little red sore on the forehead. It is actually getting to the point to being absolutely stupid. I saw this player, who just sat down because he got a little winded from a challenge, and as he was about to stand up 4 medics appeared with a stretcher wanting to carry him off field, had I not know better, it would seem that the president himself was having a fit.  

Anyway, I realized, from watching football: that the world’s worst job has to be that of a football marshal. Damn… can you imagine that when your country or clubs play, you being only inches away from the ground with all the cacophony and fever pitch pulsating from maniacal spectators… one can not watch the game but instead have to keep an eagle eye for the next naked streaker. Man I cannot imagine a worse job… it would really take a strong emotionless man to keep away from the joys of abusing a referee and joining your fellow no-good-doers in frenzied celebration. My heart really goes out to them. 

Toilets

I found out that hard way that toilets in Algeria are TOTALLY un-do-itable.. there is no discernable waste system, even if there are, the cistern is always not working and handles covered in grime. Today I went to this government agency in town, upon entering the shit hole, I saw officials smoking right from their desk in the large empty office.. no matter, but I made the mistake of overriding my sensibility and decided that I had to pee.. the moment I opened the damn door, I was floored by the overwhelming stench of decomposing something, all my 5 senses were in absolute disarray, it was as if the toilet was itself alive with bacteria.. worse thing, there was no wash basin(algerians always greets with handshake and face kisses…arrghh!) no I am not joking… but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do….  

Bogger

Another trivial entry: never try to dig your nose while seating in an Algerian car driving an unbelievable 150km/h on an ultra bumpy Algerian road. It really hurts. 

Covert

Blessed I have been, for I have been able to sneak out a few times since I have been here.. I have thus far went to a day-club (yes, the afternoon equivalent), the habam(or something like that) it’s a hot-bath of some sort, went to a cabaret, relaked at another beach and night city tour eating the best kebab in the world.  

Day-club

Yes, like the name suggests it is a ‘club’ that has call girls… but it is nothing I have ever encountered… we went to this non-descript place deep into this town, Purupu. The entrance is this unmarked door that seems to lead to someone’s house than a day-club. So as my guide knocks on the door, the eye hole sswwbbb opened like you always see on tv when someone wants to buy drugs and the door will only open upon appraisal. Anyway, it seemed quite cool, that I am like part of some secret rendezvous hideout. But man.. how wrong I was. It WAS a house that has a basement pub and 2 meter square balcony. There is no air-con (it is quite hot now) and all we had was one small room, without anything but some suspiciously crummy sofas and one persistently loud speakers. Added to that, the girls were not where to be seen. “they are coming” said the mama san, in a reassuring, knowing tone. So we (about 8 of us) waited, drinking and anticipating. Ah… they finally arrived… all 3 of them, one had thighs thicker than my head, one was so thin the leaves seems more voluptuous than her and the other had a tummy that can rival shuwu’s.. Haha… it was hilarious… really.. never had I been to a more lok joint.. not that I have been to many, but still stealing out from camp, to go to this incandescent underground joint, only to be fed cheap beers accompanied by Charlie’s Aunties? It is certainly something I will remember for some time…