Japanese follows English (英文の後に日本語)
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Algeria is a remote country from Japan with less relationship, where was sung as "the end of the earth" in the Japanese hit song "A Woman in Kasbah" in 1955 and whose security was poor and foreigners were not able to walk around freely. But the people I met there were quite friendly, laid-back and down-to-earth.

I would like to introduce the people I met in the city of Oran first. The 3rd to 5th photos show the Santa Cruz church, which was built between 1577 and 1604 during Spanish rule, and the city itself. Though the majority is Muslims in this country nowadays, the church built by pagans has carefully been maintained.

Not all Algerians like photography, by the way. Street snap usually prefers the natural movement of the subject called "candid" photography, but I have to be prepared to make them a fuss if I turn my camera on people without permission. I heard that in the worst case, the police would be called and the photograph gears would be confiscated. Therefore, I always shoot after eye contact for taking permission of the subject people. Luckily, even when I turned my camera on, people didn't take a pose like a peace sign. On the other hand, it was taboo to take pictures of women except for babies and kids, and not only the people I met for the first time but also the local female employees who worked at the same office for more than a year did not allow me to take photos even commemorative one.

アルジェリアは日本との関係が薄く，遠い国。昭和30年のヒット曲「カスバの女」で地の果てと歌われた国。治安が悪く，自由に出歩くことができない不自由な国。それでも僕が出会った人々は人懐っこく気さくで，素朴な人たちであった。

ここでは主にオランという街を中心に，そこに暮らす市井の人々をご紹介したいと思う。3～5枚目はスペイン統治時代に建てられたSanta Cruz教会と，そこから撮った街の様子だ。今はイスラム教徒が殆どのこの国で，異教徒が建てた教会が大切に維持管理されている。

ちなみにアルジェリア人がみな写真好きという訳ではない。ストリートスナップでは自然な動きを重視するが，勝手に人にカメラを向けようものなら騒ぎになることを覚悟しなければならない。街中だと最悪警察を呼ばれ，機材を没収されることもあるそうだ。それゆえ必ず相手の了解を得てから撮影するのが暗黙のルールだった。幸いカメラを向けてもピースサインなどのポーズを取ることが少なくて助かった。一方で女性を撮影することはタブー，初めて会った人はもちろん，一年以上同じ職場で働いた現地の女性従業員ですら，記念写真も撮らせてもらえない有様だった。