The Last Bit of Tunisia
Trip Start
Aug 23, 1996
1
314
451
Trip End
Ongoing
Tunis,
Tunisia
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Once in Tunis, we walked away and then we were in Place du Barcelone. The main TGM stop and loads of hotels. We found one that suited our requirements and then took a walk up to the medina. It's the biggest in Tunisia, and use to be surrounded by walls, but they were blown up a long time ago. There are a few gates remaining, and the touts always gather around the main one. We entered, and nothing has changed. We walked around and then arrived at the centre, where there is a large Mosque. As I had the wrong camera, we didn't enter. We kept walking until we were in the Government area. We were taking some photos, when all of these kids started up with, bonjoir, bonjourno, guten tag, hello. I gave them an aslaam, and kept walking, but they followed. Then they surrounded me, speaking in various languages. There were both boys and girls, getting closer, kind of like in Bangladesh, but less of them. Still, it felt like I was being anally raped, and as I am a virgin, I made a run for it. I must protest my virginity !!! As dinner time approached, we went looking for the place we ate at before. No Latin script, just Arabic. Times change, and now there was a menu in French. I think it's called progress.
In the morning, we jumped on a TGM and caught it to a different louage gare. We wanted to see the Roman ruins of Dougga. Lucy stayed in the louage whilst I downed two Capusins. Once in, we sat for over an hour, waiting for it to fillup, and then we got sick if waiting and we walked off, back to the TGM, and went to the Bardo museum instead. Inside is the largest collection of mosaics in the country. There are also some nice carvings and the finds from a 2000 year old shipwreck. So much better than the one we saw in Tripoli. After, we had finished, we went back wandering around the medina. We stopped off for a couple more capusins, and just sat back, talking in a mixture of English, French, German and Arabic. It was fun
In the morning, we went to see the Mosque. We paid, entered and then found out, thay don't even let you into the courtyard. We couldn't see the prayer area or the mirab. I was pretty pissed off to say the least. We did some more walking and then went to and from Sidi Bou Said. Once back, we noticed that the Cathedral was open. Going inside, it was a great escape from the Izzy lovers. Kind of felt like we were back in Europe. Nice. As much as enjoy being in Izzy countries, I do know where my religous beliefs lay.
We had one last walk around the medina, just soaking it in. It is fun, but they do sell a lot of shit in there, but it is also good to get off the beaten track and get to where the locals go. Much more fun.
And Finally
Yes, it is the second time here, and having now been to Tunisia, Morroco and Libya, here is my favourite. It does get a bad wrap because it is a place you go to if you want a resort, but for us, it is great, we have never seen another Westie in a louage. Compared to Morroco where there are backpackers everywhere, it is a good thing. Also, the locals love the fact that we try and speak Arabic. Lets be realistic here, who the fuck wants to speak French anyway. Don't know if we will be back, but I really want to go to Algeria now, so that we have the full set of North African Med countries. But that is in the future, Insha'Allah
Sadly Sandy, it is now over. No more reading in the morning with your coffee, reading the abuse and shit. Still, you never know, we could just rock up in Toronto. If we do, get the yacht ready, because I can feel a titanic moment coming on !!!
Capusins Drunk - 4
Capusins Total - 26
