Algeria55-56

My dear parents, Claude has just been well shaken by a strong angina and she had a lot of fever for two days. It ends now, and she can get up, having no fever at all. The maid has helped us well all this time. Frédéric is not difficult and it has made things much easier for us.
We've just changed the time and the to put us in time for FranceThis will simplify the relationship between the two countries but complicate the relationship between cities and the countryside, where naturally, the the world knows only the sun and walks at its hour, that is to say the old. As far as I'm concerned, I'll leave for one hour later and return for one hour later, to stay within the limits of the dayTomorrow morning I go to Aflou for 2 days. I go there very often because we have important studies for the Aflou-Lagouat and Aflou-Géryville roads that are to be built soon.

The situation of the fellaghas is still stationary in my district, that is, no one is moving, which does not mean that we do not aspire to independence. The atmosphere is nothing like that of Constantine or even Algiers. Beware of what the newspapers say, censorship is there and official optimism is everywhere spread by the government, even when it is not justified. If necessary, we do not hesitate to falsify the facts in the proper sense, which deceives everyone and even the government. In any case, I believe that Algeria's independence is at the end of the road, and later we will come there, the longer there will be trouble.

In the meantime, we live in Mostaganem outside of all this, as if it did not exist, as if curfew did not exist in Constantine. The streets are always so lively in the evenings and it really doesn't feel like we're at war.

Winter 56, Claude's letter to his parents

Mostaganem, my dear Dad, my dear Mom,
I'm in the public garden where there is a beautiful sun, Frédéric naturally is in the game and he is sleeping his little skull in the sun. I made him a small seam suit in knitting, and with his two teeth he looks like a little man. Next to me a mother who breaks his children's feet by giving them perpetual orders and counter-orders about nothing.
After a few restless days when Frédéric was well grumpy with more than 39°5, the calm came back into the house.
Mrs. Pen has been pregnant and lying down for 1 and a half months, well demoralized from not having a maid. (She lives in a farm isolated from her parents, the Mullers, 10km from Mostaganem, where her husband is head of culture). I'm going to see her every week and more. The Mullers always our great friends. Mrs. Géli's big boy (who was worried about you in June) walks and is doing well, but the eldest one is for 6 weeks lying down with splinters on his legs, because he's doing ricketing with his legs.
Yesterday, I went out to Oran. I spent the afternoon at Madame Tutenuit and we had dinner there. There were several young households, because we were 8 at the table. I had left Frédéric at the right place. Josiane does very well with Toutoune and can replace me completely - bath, walk etc..- when I want it. I also teach him to do a lot of things (cakes etc.) also in a short time the shop will be able to walk without me. She is a strong girl who is 15 1/2 years old, on her birth certificate, but that seems more.
Yves went on tour with the chief engineer today. Monday and Tuesday he was in Aflou, still a work executioner.
Yves and I kiss you very much.