Out of Algeria

We arose early to vacate the little garden spot we had found in Constantine.  I couldn't help but think the rain would maybe wash that dingy little town a bit.  Leaving the hotel at 5 AM, we jumped on a  bus to Annaba, the easternmost large city in Algeria.  Serenaded loudly with a mix of Arab, Muslim prayers, and classical music...with a little news thrown in for good measure...we bounced our way toward the destination.   We reached Annaba in the late morning at a bus station which looked like it was bombed or part of a war movie set.  There were whole sections of cement missing from the structure, holes in the floor, trash and dirt everywhere, inoperative mechanical devices rusted shut, and bullet holes in the glass.  As we made our way out to the street, two plain clothed policemen joined us to ask where we were going and why.  We explained we were tourists looking for a hotel, and they insisted on escorting us through town.  Weird but when in Rome... Anyway we made it to the hotel where I discovered that due to the price (and other weird vibes I was getting from our leather clad police friends), we did not have enough money to stay in town and cover our onward travel to Tunisia.  In fact, I was in need to exchange money just to make it to Tunisia.  Promptly one of the officers arranged for an illegal currency trade for me at better than the going rate.  Done with that piece of business, the cops then escorted us across town, one in front and one on the flank, to the long distance cab stand.  The nice policeman arranged our ride for us to Tunis and watched as we loaded the car and left town.  He was even nice enough to hold traffic for us as we said goodbye to our friends Yazid and Youseff.  Wow.  I suppose when I have time to think about that one, it may seem even more strange.  Some of the scenery on the way into Tunisia was absolutely breathtaking.  We rode on cliff roads overlooking ocean lagoons and seascapes against lush green forests.  We tried to take some pictures, but they probably won't capture what we experienced.  We arrived in Tunis this afternoon to find a very modern and busy city.  The tourist trade is obviously well entrenched here as sales pitches are more calculated, and price scales more sliding than other places we have been. We spent time tonight exploring the Medina and some of the downtown area.  We hope to travel a bit tomorrow to see and experience more of Tunis and the surrounding towns.