Winter 1960 in Algiers

Letter from Claude to his parents
Algiers, February 1960

We've been in Algiers for a week. After a cockroach, during which I saw all the flaws of the house and wept after my Mostaganem to which I was accustomed, I am now about used.
So let's start with the flaws, all the trouble in the big city, such a mess that I don't know when I'm going to go out alone in the car. Trinitaries who refuse to take Frédéric to school. A terrible tile in my house. A leper building that closes me up from the sea. No closet or clearance.
Now the advantages. A very provincial and entertaining neighborhood (small houses often inhabited by Arabs, with small gardens, chickens singing etc..) a garden where Frédéric sifts with the little children of his building age (2 little girls 4 years old 1⁄2). An impression of security in this house, (there are high walls in the garden and all doors are barricaded, there is a whole system of keys to get out and in) so that I am not afraid when Yves is not there. A practical apartment plan. A lot of sunshine.
Ouda came and although she left all week... she's in family trouble (and will come back), has helped make the house clean.
After running the schools, we put Fred in an outdoor kindergarten near here (too easy for him), we hesitated with a^nd We'll be taking it to ND in Africa (but it seemed a little difficult for him). Anyway, we'll put it there next year. Although the buildings are grim, the atmosphere was good.
Yves is back tomorrow. Poor Christophe has both bronchitis, angina and rhinopharyngitis... Finally I found a doctor who didn't look too bad...

Send my letter to Vonnette, I don't have time to write longer, soon I will...
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Letter from Claude to Tandree
Algiers, 16 February 1960

...Ouda is permanently in Algiers at home, which is very pleasant in anticipation of the birth.... but she left for a few days in Mostaganem, because since she is the support of her family, whenever this one is in difficulties, she has to trouble them. My house is very pleasant in many points of view. 3-storey building with common garden, and since there are children on each floor, all find themselves there. The apartment is very sunny (S E O), the well designed plan, the fun view. The neighborhood is old and very provincial, with small houses and gardens, there are orange trees everywhere and we see the bay in part.
I had to find a school for Frédéric. I decided to have an outdoor kindergarten where you spend most of your time doing gymnastics and walking (it's in a park). It's very healthy but Frédéric often comes back tired... especially that you have to climb 100 steps to get back home (We're in a very steep neighborhood.And then it's a little easy for him because Frédéric can read (he finished the method of reading) very well.. write and even make small easy dictations. He is also very set in additions and subtractions; but not yet to multiplications or divisions. Next year I will probably put it to ND d'Afrique (Jesuites) where we accept it. It's a little far away (at least 250 steps) and a little building barracks – for the rest it looks very good.
As for Christophe, he works well and starts to become a little boy, but he's still sick, a bad bronchitis. I find him no resistance to small infections.
I'm glad to know you're in your little apartment... (Paris, 17 rue de Sèvres, apartment purchased by Tandree after the death of Bonne Maman de Sceaux and the sale of his house on Rue des Imbergères - moreover sold to an officer, Captain Sergeant who soon became one of the heads of the OAS)

In Mostaganem, Yves settled in a Pts and Chaussées room at the top of our building, so we didn't leave any furniture. He eats his meals at the military mess at noon, and on the evening he comes to his house. He comes in weekend here from Friday night to Tuesday morning, which makes us full of days. Most often he travels by car...
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Letter from Claude to Tandree
Algiers, early March 1960

...Frédéric starts to be familiar with his school and morale is better. Today we celebrate the carnival and he is very happy. Christophe is fearless, climbs on the stairs, dripping a whole floor while making the barrel (a memorable fall in the building stairs) . It's got a lot of bumps, but still only six teeth.
I've retained a clinic and a doctor – another two months of patience. If I didn't have an awful leg, I'd be doing great.
We went to the beach on Sunday (3/4 hour from the house) Yves and Frédéric bathed and we snuck in a wood of eucalyptus on a small mountain near the sea (Club of the Pines probably?) But we have to go to the beach early enough around 10:00 if we don't want it to be a grenillery...
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Letter from Claude to Tandree
Algiers, April 1960
...I can't believe that this wait will end in a good couple of weeks...... Finally, on May 9th you can get a phone call if my calculations are correct.
I enjoy my last days of validity, on Easter Monday we went without children to Tipasa. It is delicious this season, embalmed with flowers, and the ruins were golden.
There are more worldly in Algiers than in Mostaganem. Fortunately now I drive without any fear the 403, I have made a lot of progress.
Yves continues the shuttle until his replacement arrives. His appointment has not yet appeared in the official papers...