1 ) What a tourist can expect when he comes to Ajdabiya ..?
Whew ! Tough one! Obviously, he or she has to keep their expectations really low when it comes to luxury. But be prepared to have wonderful weather, where the sun shines all year long . Sometimes it gets messy around due to sand storms which sweep over the city from time to time, especially in autumn (locals call it Ajjaj) . Most people don't like the storms , I like it though, gets me so intimate with the city; I become so spiritual and it really inspires me. Ok, maybe I'm just weird .The people are so nice, so friendly. Although Ajdabiya is a virgin place when it comes to tourism, it's not on the tourist agencies lists operating in Tripoli or Benghazi . And I don't know why? There is one historical site in the city for an ancient Fatimid palace, remains of an ancient Fatimid mosque, a Fatimid fortress, and a couple of colonial buildings built by the Italians in the occupation era.
Besides, just being here has a thrill of its own. A thrill one will encounter when gets to be in a place totally out of the 21st century. A place where streets have no names, no tar and no street lights! Where the faces of the people tell the entire untold story of shattered dreams, lives lived in vain. One thing I guarantee is after being to Ajdabiya, you'll never take anything for granted in your life again.
And if you are a big fan of the Juol Verne's classic Time Machine, you are gonna like it here (if you know what I mean)!
2 ) How to get here?
If you come to Libya by air, then you have to be in one of these two cities: Tripoli (the capital) or Benghazi. Regardless of which one you travel to, you need to take a bus or a taxi. If you are in Tripoli, I would recommend the bus trip although it's 700 Kms long, it's cheaper though, about 10 dinars (= $5). If you are traveling from Benghazi, this means that you're now only a 157 Kms away. I would highly recommend the taxi, you can split the money with three other travelers and it costs you exactly 5 dinars but it is worth it (5 dinars = $2.5). Taxis are new, fast, safe, and are air conditioned cars! (Here comes the luxury!) The trip takes from 1 hr 20 mins to 1 hr 40 mins. (If you don't share the taxi with anyone - just for you, the cost is 20 dinars.).3) Where to stay: hotels / motels?
There are a couple of places here we call hotels, but not sure they are the same thing you think of when you stay in a hotel! (If you know what I mean.) There are exactly three places where you can spend the night. Not really anything more than apartments where you can get a room for yourself. There is, under construction, nice and big hotel. It has got 50 rooms, and 5 suites. It will be officially open Sep, 1st 2005. when the country celebrates the 35 anniversary of Col, Qadhafi's revolution . the other two motels are so nice and cozy, with some luxuries: some TV sets, hot running water, and fresh towels and other necessities. (Check them out: Ajdabiya Hotel, Al madeena Motel, Afriqya Motel, Ajdabiya Youth Hostel) There are a number of restaurants where you can get some good and inexpensive meals. (I'm serious!)4 ) How to get around in the city?
Two ways. First my favorite, walking around on your own feet! You can pretty much get to any point you want in the city by walking, but if you are not a big fan of hiking, then the taxi will be great for you. You may pay for a cab, no matter how far or near as far as it's inside the city, it will cost you only one Dinar. If you want him to drive you some other place from there, then you pay one more Dinar. You see the picture right? Cabs here will be in black & white, but you can stop any car you like (and I recommend this, because the black & white cabs are not in good condition; that is unless you want to have the thrill of your trip all in this trip in the cab). Don't worry about safety when you are in Ajdabiya, you are extremely safe here. You can stop any car you like and you are a 100% safe.5) Where can I exchange money?
There are three dynamic banks in Ajdabiya. (Al wahda, Al jimhureya, Al ahli). I would recommend Al Jimhureya; they accept Visa credit cards only and for only $500 in US currency. Or at Alwahda. The three banks are just local branches and the main headquarters located in Tripoli & Benghazi.6) What to wear in Ajdabiya if you are a tourist?
Okay! Now I'm the fashion expert here. KEWL! Well, if you are a man. Avoid shorts. Not to mention that any thing shorter than the knees is strictly off-limits. You better get this right, trust me. Also avoid sleeveless T-shirts, and you are safe from the annoying staring. Besides it's gonna look so cliché -- tourist look.As for women, three key words: wider, longer, darker clothing. (Still talking about fashion, don't get me wrong.) If not, be prepared to be stared at like you are a monkey in a zoo, no offence, just trying to give you in the right picture.
7) Can You Tell Me Some Local Lingo?
Sure .. anytime ..first things first..Greetings :
Hi ------- Khayr . ( or , if you are not in a hurry ) Assalamu alaykum . And if you want to say it the way local dudes say it : Shij-jawo? ( the Ajdabiyan translation for: What's up ..? ) .
Good morning --------- Sabah el khayr .
Have a nice day-------- Naharak saied .
Good night --------------Tesbah ala khayr .
God Bliss ---------------- Baraka Allahu feek .
Congrats -----------------Mabrook .
Good bye ---------------- Ma'assalama .
In The Street :
Can I Ask You Please To Tell Me...? ---- Momkin ma alaysh ..?
..Where can I find the bank ? ----- Wain el masraf ?
..The Hospital ------------------------El mustashfa .
..The Pharmacy ----------------------El saidaleya .
..The Market Place ------------------El souq .
..The Movie Theatre -----------------El cinema .
...Photography shop ----------------- El mosawarati
..A Good Restaurant ----------------- Mata'am kuwayes .
Shopping :
How much dose this cost ..?---------- bekam hada ?.
Pants --------- Serwal .
Shirt ---------- Sureya .
Gown -------- El gonna .
Dress -------- Qoftan .
Shoes -------- Kundara .
Cap , Hat --- Taqeya .
Bag ----------- Shantah .
The Colors :
White -------- Abyad .
Red ---------- Ahmar .
Green -------- Akhdar .
Black -------- Aswad .
Brown ------- Qahwi .
Blue ---------- Azraq .
Grey ---------- Ash-hab .
Cyan ---------Samawi .
Purple ------- Banafsajee .
Yellow ------- Asfar .
Orange ------ Burtoqali .
The Numbers :
1 = wahid. 2 = ethnain . 3 =thalatha . 4 = arba'a . 5 = khamsa . 6 =setta . 7 = saba'a . 8 =thmanya . 9 = tesa'a . 10 = ashrah . 20 =eshreen . 21= wahid aw eshreen . 30 =thalatheen . 40 =arabaeen . 50=khamseen . 60 = setteen . 70= sabieen . 75= khamsa aw sabieen . 80=thamaneen . 90=tessieen . 100=meya . 101= meya aw wahid . 1000= alf .
Food :
Chicken = dajaj . Lamb =laham watani . Vegetables = Khudra . Rice =rozz . Sandwich = sandwich ( got ya !! ) or ansas ( plural ) . Noss ( singular ) .
8) The DO'S & DON'T'S in Ajdabiya
* WHEN you enter any place, especially offices where there are people, you need to communicate with them, DON'T forget to salute them in local lingo as I told you earlier. If there are about one to five people, a hand shake is a nice gesture from you. (Works very well here in breaking the ice!) BE SURE to start your group hand shaking from the person on the RIGHT.* DON'T try to tip any Libyan whom you asked to help you with something. He's going to take it as an offence. In restaurants don't tip either although mainly Egyptians work in restaurants here and Man, do they just love tips! In a couple of restaurants there is Libyan staff, and there you can find clean, nice service.
* IF YOU WERE here with your spouse, and things get emotional (romantic) or hot when you are both in public shopping or just walking around! DON'T KISS in public. Never ever when you are in public think of doing such a horrible, scary thing like kissing. Be sure you get a room, and be sure the room is well locked, lights are off. No, I'm kidding; just get a room (Yes, even if it's only for a kiss, even if it's a tiny innocent dry little kiss on the cheek! Got it?) No intimate acts in public like hugging, holding each others hands, you got the picture, right? Man! I guess Ajdabiya is just not that romantic place for your honey moon!
*DRUGS, alcohols are illegal and banned.
* NO missionary works are allowed (No, I'm talking about the religious missionary!) It's strictly illegal to evangelize Libyan residents or anyone else inside Libya. Don't ever think of that, trust me...not in Ajdabiya, not in anywhere else in Libya.
With that said, I think you now can focus on how to enjoy this exotic place, Ajdabiya, your first REAL time machine experience...
Enjoy
Youcef Marzooq Youcef
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