The village

This is from a while back but it never was able to be posted: 

  My dad and I left at around 8 this morning to catch a bus from Algiers to Tizi Ouzou. We got to Tizi at like 11 ish and my uncle Hocine came to pick us up. After that, we drove up the mountains to the village. About 3/4 the way there he stopped and had me drive a little. I got a scared and didn't want to at first because the streets are super skinny and not in the best condition. We switched back as soon as we got closer and the roads were worse.

  The first thing we did when we got here was stop at Nana Ouiza's house and stayed for a bit. I have my aunt a hug and she started crying. It's been 4 years since I haven't seen her. Poor thing, I almost started to cry but I stopped myself. My cousins Moh and Ouardia were home. We ended up having lunch, well a tiny lunch with them since we were going to have an actual lunch back at the house.

   When we got there my 2 aunts were already there and we had lunch and chatted and it was fun. I got to see their kids for the first time in 4 years. They're all either 7 or younger. They are so cute! Aaah, I sort of had my favorite right away but it took him awhile to come talk to me and sit next to me. That one is Lyess.

  I bonded with him and by the end of the night we were homies. Zakariae another super cute cousin started opening up to me and I played with him a little. I ended up sleeping next to him and I told him that I was scared and asked him to hold my hand. He took my hand and we ended up falling asleep like that. Too cute!

   In the morning I woke up at 9:30 and all the little kids were going crazy. Ugh!!! I just wanted to sleep and my throat was not the best. I had some tea for breakfast and a couple cookies. I ended up gong wht my dad to Tizgui. Tizgui means 'forest,' it's where our house is. Although it technically is not a forest.. There's just a butt load of trees. 

  Here's the view from our house. It was a little cloudy today but never rained. 

Afterwards we saw some cows cultivating the land old school style. 

  Here are other pictures from The mountains I took:

   My old friend Menouar (right) and his friend whose name I don't know how to spell. Oops. 

  Silly dad

End of trip!

   I didn't do much for Christmas or New Years. They don't really celebrate them, and I have up for New Years and went to bed at 10:30. I got to see family and friends, so I'm happy. It's been 4 years since I've been back... TOO LONG! there were tears of happiness upon my arrival and very saying how much I changed. When people tell you that you became pretty, what do you say to that? I'll tell you what I did. I just laughed.

   It was a bittersweet goodbye and I know I'll be back in the summer, I just don't know when.