I know I am leaving Tunusia with hopes, sadness, excitements, new experiences. Nebil is gonna take me to the airport by his car, this makes me relax. We had breakfast in city centre, outside in a cafe, under a sunny warm cloudlless sky.
Than we went on the road to airport. There we would meet Mohamed. It is hard to tell "Good bye" to a friend that whom is one of the best friend like Mohamed. But I had to tell him the truth, we live in another countries but we are connected each other by hearts. After I ate a sandwich in the airport they left me alone because I needed to get on the plane soon.
I was storlling around, looked at people shopping, waitingi eating.... I was writing down in my notebook as usual. A man came beside me and asked me if I am Turk or not. Yes, I am, I answered to him. He is transit passenger to go to Cahiro and Turk. We chatted for a while. Our flight delayed twice and I had to get on the plane for 3 hours. It was unexpecting thing for me and I was bored with staying in a narrow hall with more than hundred people that are waiting for the plane. I told myself. It wouldn't be the the end of Tunusia trip. Also I had a worry I have a transit flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Thanks God I was in Istanbul on time and caught Izmir flight.
I was feeling so tired, my eyes hurt badly. Even though I missed my lovely city, my friends, my cute two kittens, and my bed.
I am happy to visit Tunusia and will visit again this lovely, beatiful city soon.
Sema BAL
29 Nisan 2011 Cuma
25 Nisan 2011 Pazartesi
Eighth Day in Tunusia
La Marsa, Tunis |
We met in La Berber, were 3 girls and 7 guys. I met with Rabii and felt close to him, talked to him much. Also I met Rasha is a girl. We drank nescafes, mineral water and talked about Turkey, revalution in Tunusia. And I learnt there is no "religion" part in Identity cards in Tunusia and have fingerprints to compare with Turkish identity cards.
We walked to the seaside sat on the grass, Rabii and I walked to the beach, I took off my shoes walked in the sea with my bare feeth. It was wonderful. Than I jumped in the air Rabii took my photo.
Nebil took me to the city centre by car. Rabiia, Rasha and I shopped, I bought some key rings with Tunusian camel symbol and magnets for fridge. And I bought fresh dates to bring my parents. Also I bought parfume in old Medina from a parfume store. I bought cheap earings, red and orange feather earings.
At 7 clock Nebil came and we went to Al Jawhra that is most famous pastry shop in Tunis and bought pasta and cookies.
And I asked to Nebil is there any mountaiering club in Tunusia as a climber. He answered there is not any. And the highest mountain in Tunusia is 1500m.
At night Nebil and I met his friends, drank something and talked, I was bored there to talk to them. Because; they weren't met foreigners so much and didn't talk to me much and don't speak English.
So, I wanted to go back home, get rest and be ready for tomorrow flight.
21 Nisan 2011 Perşembe
Seventh Day in Tunusia
When I woke up I did gym and streched my whole body to feel awake like a cat than Firas and I ate something and left home to meet Mohamed, he stayed in a hotel. We me in city centre and drank fresh mango juice and almond cake in a pastry shop. I was so happy to being here to eat delicious food and drinks. We all strolled in the Old Medina for about 2 hours. Something took my attention easly. There are products which made by olive wooden and they are homemade. It was different for me and bought a bracelet, a spoon and fork for eating olives. In a narrow street I noticed canework hats on the walls and came inside old Medina's streets with old houses. Firas was need to get rest and we had to leave at around 11 clock in the morning. It was great to know such an interesting person in Sousse.
Our route was going to El Djem by train for 2 hours. In the train the seats are sits opposite each other. So, we were going back whe somebody loook at us. Actually we are going to right destination. I don't understand this. If you travel to long distance it is bad to sit reverse position. Anyway we arrived at El Jam at around 2pm. El Jam is a concervative city, we couldn't see any woman outside. We were hungry and came into Le Bonheur restaurant and listened to Quran on the radio. Because; today is Friday. And the waitress came to us to give the Menu with a bunch of smile of his face and we obeyed his suggestion and ate Tunusian salad and spagetti with chicken. Fenouil(fennel) is the main ingredient in a Tunusian salad.
We planned to come back toTunis by train and our way to go to El Djem started with exciment. El Jam or Thysdrus is the third biggest colosseum in the world after Roma and Capua coloseums. Thysdrus has built by Gordions in AD 230. I jumped in a high stone and felt myself like a queen for a moment and looked at the camera. At the bottom of Colloseum gladiators had concentrate to fight each other. I tried to soul of them.
It was sunny and warm day to feel good and we were walking to train station to catch the train, again we are upset, cause there weren't a free seat this time. Okey Sema, don't get angry I told myself and we walked to minibus staiton, when it was full 8 passengers we moved. At the front we realised two blondes girls seem European. Mohamed is a big fan of English girls, he asked them why they were here. They answered their parents worked in Arabic countries in the past while they were kids. That's why they wanted to see. During the way Mohamed asked,Natalie and Caty answered, I listened them.
They paid 160 Pounds for one week trip in Tunusia and all includes, flight tickets, hotel accomadation, transformation. I paid 300 Euros just for flights. What a pity. Would I live in England?
At around 7pm we arrived in Tunis, I went to telenet(internet cafe) checked my message and by taxi I went home. I can not speak Arabic at all, I showed the adress to taxi driver to go home. It was a easy way not to get lost, write the adress in a paper.
Nebil was at home to wait for me and I was hungry and angry. Joking. We ate pizza with tuna fish. It was incredible delicious. I liked talking about Tunusian History with Nebil. He told me there are 3 politic parties which are based on religion. Nahdha is the oldest one and made terorist attacks and closed in 80es.
Nebil and Hishem are best friends for 10 years and they were borned on the same day. Nice coincidence.
These days NATO, France and England have been bombing Libya. Libya is a neighbour of Tunusia, so people care about the news there. Let's come to Tunusia. For more than 10-15 years the country has been boiling, everybody was sad even rich peoples. First civil commotion starts in Gafsa in 2008. Unfortunately it was failed. People had captured and put in the jail. Second one is on the 17th of 2010 in Sidi Bou Said. There are two versions. The first is; a street green grocer was selling in an illegal area and worned by a woman cop not to sell vegatables. If the man refused the woman cop, he was slapped by the woman cop. The green grocer wanted to talk to Mayor of the city. The Mayor didn't speak to the man after that the man has fired himself. He was graduated university. Second version is the guy is not graduated university and why a woman cop slaps the man? When the woman cop takes the scales the man asked "How shall I scale the vegatables? Shall I scale with your boobs?" Than the woman slapped the man. Commition was thrown out to Kasserine and on the 14 of January 2011 to Tunis.
Before the revolution policeman were very rude, stiff and bealive they can do anything what they want.
I like learning new things. What a wonderful day. Thanks God.
Our route was going to El Djem by train for 2 hours. In the train the seats are sits opposite each other. So, we were going back whe somebody loook at us. Actually we are going to right destination. I don't understand this. If you travel to long distance it is bad to sit reverse position. Anyway we arrived at El Jam at around 2pm. El Jam is a concervative city, we couldn't see any woman outside. We were hungry and came into Le Bonheur restaurant and listened to Quran on the radio. Because; today is Friday. And the waitress came to us to give the Menu with a bunch of smile of his face and we obeyed his suggestion and ate Tunusian salad and spagetti with chicken. Fenouil(fennel) is the main ingredient in a Tunusian salad.
We planned to come back toTunis by train and our way to go to El Djem started with exciment. El Jam or Thysdrus is the third biggest colosseum in the world after Roma and Capua coloseums. Thysdrus has built by Gordions in AD 230. I jumped in a high stone and felt myself like a queen for a moment and looked at the camera. At the bottom of Colloseum gladiators had concentrate to fight each other. I tried to soul of them.
It was sunny and warm day to feel good and we were walking to train station to catch the train, again we are upset, cause there weren't a free seat this time. Okey Sema, don't get angry I told myself and we walked to minibus staiton, when it was full 8 passengers we moved. At the front we realised two blondes girls seem European. Mohamed is a big fan of English girls, he asked them why they were here. They answered their parents worked in Arabic countries in the past while they were kids. That's why they wanted to see. During the way Mohamed asked,Natalie and Caty answered, I listened them.
They paid 160 Pounds for one week trip in Tunusia and all includes, flight tickets, hotel accomadation, transformation. I paid 300 Euros just for flights. What a pity. Would I live in England?
At around 7pm we arrived in Tunis, I went to telenet(internet cafe) checked my message and by taxi I went home. I can not speak Arabic at all, I showed the adress to taxi driver to go home. It was a easy way not to get lost, write the adress in a paper.
Nebil was at home to wait for me and I was hungry and angry. Joking. We ate pizza with tuna fish. It was incredible delicious. I liked talking about Tunusian History with Nebil. He told me there are 3 politic parties which are based on religion. Nahdha is the oldest one and made terorist attacks and closed in 80es.
Nebil and Hishem are best friends for 10 years and they were borned on the same day. Nice coincidence.
These days NATO, France and England have been bombing Libya. Libya is a neighbour of Tunusia, so people care about the news there. Let's come to Tunusia. For more than 10-15 years the country has been boiling, everybody was sad even rich peoples. First civil commotion starts in Gafsa in 2008. Unfortunately it was failed. People had captured and put in the jail. Second one is on the 17th of 2010 in Sidi Bou Said. There are two versions. The first is; a street green grocer was selling in an illegal area and worned by a woman cop not to sell vegatables. If the man refused the woman cop, he was slapped by the woman cop. The green grocer wanted to talk to Mayor of the city. The Mayor didn't speak to the man after that the man has fired himself. He was graduated university. Second version is the guy is not graduated university and why a woman cop slaps the man? When the woman cop takes the scales the man asked "How shall I scale the vegatables? Shall I scale with your boobs?" Than the woman slapped the man. Commition was thrown out to Kasserine and on the 14 of January 2011 to Tunis.
Before the revolution policeman were very rude, stiff and bealive they can do anything what they want.
I like learning new things. What a wonderful day. Thanks God.
Sixth Day in Tunusia
Sousse |
And I learnt a Tunusian arabic word today is Musmuskil means "No problem".
The travel took about 2 hours. Sousse is near by the Meditarrian sea, there is a castle called "Ribat" to protect to city from attackes that come from the ships. It has built in 8th century. Sousse is in the northeast of Tunusia and popular for tourists to swim, boat tour, diving.
We went in a restaurant has a view of the Mediterrian Sea when we look out of the window while we were eating spagatti in a sunny day. I thanked God to give the chance to see Sousse in a sunny and warm day.
I wanted to swim such in a bright clean water but I couldn't couarage because I was worry to get sick. So, I joked myself to walk on bare feeth for about half and hour. We wrote our names on the sands and shot photos. Normally we planned to get on a phaeton but we didn't. We prefered to go to Port Ken Town by taxi. We made a sircle around the beach and need a break to get rest for a while. There is a yatch marina, beach, camel tour.
I was excited to meet Firas in the evening, he was going to be my second coach in Tunusia. He works in Public Port in Sousse and live in apartment that is built in 1960's. So, we met in under the sun-set in Le Fleur Orient Cafe. By the way the meaning of the cafe's name is Eastern Flower. I drank tradational coffee. The cafe serves the coffee with Rose water. It is new thing for me to add rose water in a hard coffee. So, the sun was coming down and I was getting colder outside and suggested Mohamed and Firas to find a warmer place to stay and eat dinner. Because; it was almost 8 clock. Yes, Firas took us a very famous Belle Avenue to eat Ojja Mergez. While we were talking I learnt Firas to travel Sweden, Germany, Ghana, Morocco, England, Turkey,Norvey, Australia. Turkey and Ghana are his best countries to visit. In a conversation with Firas I took some clue about Ghana. If you choose to drink cheapest alcohol drinks you are in the right country, but hotels and food are expensive. You can find a facility for each night to have fun. Salsa, Reggie nights are everywhere.
Tunusians, Algerians and Moroccons are not Arabic as an etnicity. They are Berberian, means North Africans. Tunusia, Japon and Greece are the oldest countries in the world. Tunusia has established in 1957. How do I know this because I am talking to Firas. He is history an addict. He loves old things. He can not live without radio, bicycle. His nick name should be "history guy". First Andalucians had came to Tunusia than Spanishes.
We drank cold mint tea in a candle light, it was fantactic to be in old house with the light of the candle, for a moment I felt myself in a scary movie, because of the dark, old house, old furnitures.
I was tired and wanted to sleep after a nice history talk with Firas. One more day passed quickly in Tunusia.
Next destination is El Jam....
14 Nisan 2011 Perşembe
Fifth Day in Tunusia
A Couchsurfing house meeting in La Marsa |
I ate charwarna in a restaurant that tastes Turkish doner kebap and tried to find aninternet cafe for more than half an hour and finally I found one after I asked for help. In Tunusia you should look for a telenet if you drop internet and it is cheap one hour 1,5 TND.
People smoke cigarettes so much it is not forbidden and you shouldn't be surprised when you see a stewart is smoking in a restroom. If you are a smoker you can feel free.
Near Clock Tower I sat in a cafe and drank nescafe and wrote my diary, felt the fresh air in my lungs, kissed the warm sun.
There was CS(couchsurfing) meeting in La Marsa and I would meet new friends in a house meeting. Peter and Tanya were the owner of the house who are came from the USA tow years ago.. I am in the the train that is going to La Marsa and quite crowded people are around me don't like that tried to find a free seat and at once I saw a free seat but someone else sat. I told myself don't worry you will have to stay for 20 minutes and looking around, found a young and handsome boy to explore, was wearing man's scarf, long black coat and reading a book with a serious face. He is wearing reading glasses, has blue eyes and white skin and saw he is reading Fred Vargas. Till La Marsa I am looking at him like a child that looked a big baloon in the sky.
I met with Mohamed and Rafik near the movie theather and walked around the seaside, listened to the waves and ate sandwiches. Peter opened the gate with a smile on his face, when he opened the door of the house, people inside smiled at me. More than 25 couchsurfers were together from Tunusia, USA and Ghana. Peter&Tanya have a dog and five cats that are knocked in a room. It was my first CS house meeting, that's why I was excited. We were drinking best quality vine and everbody was talking about their CS experinces.There is guy whom name is Amin his parent's root came form Turkey he told me. He doesn't seem to be a Tunusian because he has green eyes, white skin, most of the Tunusian people have olive skin. I am very happy with dozen of funny people. I gave a necklase to Yosr as a gift. She held me tightly and kissed my cheeks. I was blushed. Hishem came to take me to the home, he wanted me to see city centre and shot my photo in front of the Clock Tower and Theather.
I was tired of happyness and fell into sleep at once...
12 Nisan 2011 Salı
Third Day in Tunusia
Today is Monday and I called my father, he didn't bealive me I am in Tunusia told me I may be a crazy girl to visit a country in a civil war and a neigbour of Libya is in a war. I could speak at last and told him I am safe and Tunusia is not in bad condition, it is more stable now, nobody try to attack me on the roads, also I friends with me all the time. I paid extra money to make international calls and to call my father from Tunusia, he is very nervous before I went. Nowdays he is getting better, everyday I called him to make him feel good. In Tunusia there are three lines to connact. I got one of them and I called my Tunusian firends with this simcard.
Today's plan planned by Mohamed, is going to Cartaghe-Hannibal. We walked to from Clock Tower to TGM(Tunis-La Gulate-La Marsa) train station. In the train there are first and second class. We travelled in first class and I slept for a while, I need to wear a hair and sun glasses always, because I have sun allergy. Mohamed, my best Tunusian friend and I met in Hannibal station. There are always very rich people can live and Presedent Palace in Cartaghe and 20 minutes away from Tunis. The temparature was 23 C.
We had to walked up to the Hannibal Cartaghe Museum, we were getting warm while walking up the road. Fİrst I had to pay 8 TND(Tunusian Dinar( to come in. There are two kids, sister and brother and were running around, I shot their photos, Mohamed was sitting on a chair inside the museum to get rest, I think he is getting older. Anyway I saw some mosaics on the ground and on the walls, some huge statues, a big head. Cartaghes had fighted with Romans in the past.
I jumped in front of the museum and wanted Mohamed to take my photo while I am in the air, one day I will fly on the air with a baloon or parachute. I am sure I like being in the air, saw a some sheep after we lef the museum, we wathed the sun was coming down behind the Bougarnin Mountains in front of the Cartaghe Antique City. The Antique City, Mediterrian Sea, Bougarnin Mountains, the sun were in a wonderful line.
Than we got on the same train and went to see Mohamed's friends in La Marsa-Bab El Medina Cafe. It has four floors, we prefered to stay on the top. I made a new friend there. I had a chance to meet Rafik, is a strange, funny, sarcastic,smiley boy, allthough I loved this guy. He was in Canada for master degree programme for a few years after graduated univercity. I told them some Turkish tongue twister, they son't understood, laughed a ot to try to say the Turkish words in my notebook. We had fun a lot, there I drank nescafe, ate ice-cream in a pastry shop, people were figthing each other to get some ice-cream. I learnt some Tunusian simple words as if Eslema and Bislema means "Hi" and "Good bye". We said good bye to new friends and got on the train to go Tunis again, Nebil was waiting for me to take me to home by his car what a nice guy, Nebil.
I felt tired again, I am getting older, I drank Tunusian tea with Nebil and talked about ZABA( Zeynel Abidin Bin Ali) let more than 10.000 criminals from the jail before the Revulotion to create an unsecure situation and make people to dependent Presedent. Most of the criminals escaped to European Countries, others strolled around the Tunusia, they don't have istatistics about how many criminals are around. There is a book about the wife of President, Leila Trabelsi. La Regente De Cartaghe is all about the Leila. Indeed she has been the captain of the Tunusian Ship since 1992. Whole country has been dealing this woman for years. Most communication companies, alcohol industry, transportation firms are controlled under the President's family and relatives.
Sometimes I couldn't open my eyes and concantrate Nebil's stories about the President, but wrote down. For a moment I told Nebil I need to sleep. I like to listen Nebil, he doesn't get bored with my questions, when I don't understand he explain again and again.
Today has gone like that, with new friends, sun, jump, history, revulotion stories and time to sleep now. Good night.
Today's plan planned by Mohamed, is going to Cartaghe-Hannibal. We walked to from Clock Tower to TGM(Tunis-La Gulate-La Marsa) train station. In the train there are first and second class. We travelled in first class and I slept for a while, I need to wear a hair and sun glasses always, because I have sun allergy. Mohamed, my best Tunusian friend and I met in Hannibal station. There are always very rich people can live and Presedent Palace in Cartaghe and 20 minutes away from Tunis. The temparature was 23 C.
We had to walked up to the Hannibal Cartaghe Museum, we were getting warm while walking up the road. Fİrst I had to pay 8 TND(Tunusian Dinar( to come in. There are two kids, sister and brother and were running around, I shot their photos, Mohamed was sitting on a chair inside the museum to get rest, I think he is getting older. Anyway I saw some mosaics on the ground and on the walls, some huge statues, a big head. Cartaghes had fighted with Romans in the past.
I jumped in front of the museum and wanted Mohamed to take my photo while I am in the air, one day I will fly on the air with a baloon or parachute. I am sure I like being in the air, saw a some sheep after we lef the museum, we wathed the sun was coming down behind the Bougarnin Mountains in front of the Cartaghe Antique City. The Antique City, Mediterrian Sea, Bougarnin Mountains, the sun were in a wonderful line.
Than we got on the same train and went to see Mohamed's friends in La Marsa-Bab El Medina Cafe. It has four floors, we prefered to stay on the top. I made a new friend there. I had a chance to meet Rafik, is a strange, funny, sarcastic,smiley boy, allthough I loved this guy. He was in Canada for master degree programme for a few years after graduated univercity. I told them some Turkish tongue twister, they son't understood, laughed a ot to try to say the Turkish words in my notebook. We had fun a lot, there I drank nescafe, ate ice-cream in a pastry shop, people were figthing each other to get some ice-cream. I learnt some Tunusian simple words as if Eslema and Bislema means "Hi" and "Good bye". We said good bye to new friends and got on the train to go Tunis again, Nebil was waiting for me to take me to home by his car what a nice guy, Nebil.
I felt tired again, I am getting older, I drank Tunusian tea with Nebil and talked about ZABA( Zeynel Abidin Bin Ali) let more than 10.000 criminals from the jail before the Revulotion to create an unsecure situation and make people to dependent Presedent. Most of the criminals escaped to European Countries, others strolled around the Tunusia, they don't have istatistics about how many criminals are around. There is a book about the wife of President, Leila Trabelsi. La Regente De Cartaghe is all about the Leila. Indeed she has been the captain of the Tunusian Ship since 1992. Whole country has been dealing this woman for years. Most communication companies, alcohol industry, transportation firms are controlled under the President's family and relatives.
Sometimes I couldn't open my eyes and concantrate Nebil's stories about the President, but wrote down. For a moment I told Nebil I need to sleep. I like to listen Nebil, he doesn't get bored with my questions, when I don't understand he explain again and again.
Today has gone like that, with new friends, sun, jump, history, revulotion stories and time to sleep now. Good night.
10 Nisan 2011 Pazar
Fourth Day in Tunusia
Old Medina, Tunis |
Hishem and I were really hungry and want to eat whatever it is possible couldn't concantrate the road. We met Makroud as a dessert it is very delicious. While we were strolling I was planing the next day's trip towards Sousse with Mohamed.
In Old Medina , there are some jewellery shops, parfume shops, silver shop, old clock repair shops, silver repair shops, spices shops and old Median famous for handmade carpets and makroad we came into a Carpet House and walked up the stairs to see the terrace and the view was fabolous with the withe clouds in the blue sky, old Medina's white houses, minares of the Mosques, Katedrales, new city were together.
Hishem had to go to work and left us with Adel came into Old Bey Families' Tombs.Bey means king in old Tunusian time. Women and Men graves have diffrents shapes, Women's l head stone look like a square, men's head stone look like a turban. The style of the walls were covered partly mosaics and simple. In jewellery houses something attached me there are bracelets with a shape of a hand and learnt it is Fatima's hand, people bealive it protects themselves from bad eyes like a eye-evil bead in Turkey. There aren't many tourists around after 14th January Revulation and tourists %40 are less than before the revulation.
The weather was always sunny and warm, didn't need to wear a jacket, felt sunny with Adel we ate charwarna in a restaurant because I was hungry so much and could eat Adel. He had been in Turkey once, knows Besiktas football team, Husnu Senlendirici, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, big fun of Istanbul wants to visit Turkey again.
We walked to Municipalty building there were some Tunusian people escaped from Libya after 6th of March 2011 chaos. A TV programmer was making a interview with a woman and she was telling she had left the her flat, job thereand now she is jobless and homeless. To compare Tunusia Libya money lost 1/3 value.
Adel and I walked towards new Clock Tower is built in 2003, I fell in love with the Clock Tower in the night, it looks as if there is someting inside the Clock Tower and it fires ans speads the rays out of the tower at night. By taxi we went to Tunis Lake in a cafe we drank Tunusian style tea, they put the sugar and tea together and add soem fresh or dired minty on it at around six Yosr joined us drew to car to a restaurant that serves leblebi, tradational Tunusian food. I said goodbye to Adel, he would going to Cerba tomorrow.
With Yosr we got to see her mother and aunt, her mother looks very young even though she is 57 and worked for years, now retared and had fu with her life.
When I came home felt tired of walking all day, couldn't eat either and fell into sleep at once and it was 9pm.
4 Nisan 2011 Pazartesi
Second Day in Tunis
I like being a traveller, don't have to pay the bills, wash the dishes, go to the work, don't have responsibility for anything, that's great, like a foreigner, like a homeless, belong nowhere for a while makes me feel free and relax. Like a lazy girl I woke up, had a shower, couldn't dry my hair cause I am in hurry to meet Yosr in the city centre. In a hurry I ate some pasta cause Yosr was coming to take me to the city centre by her car. I felt she is a sister of mine when I saw her in first sight.
It was a wonderful sunny and warm March day and with a wide smile on my face I was going on my way. We met Saif, Hussam and Mohamed near the theather, she told me on the road that I would meet two bodyguards and don't need to protect myself. It was true because; Hussam and Saif are brothers, my bodyguards. We were standing in front of the Theather building, A TV cameraman were recording people in front of the board and writing Tunusia with a big letters. I heard that 20 march of 1956 is the Independence Day of Tunusia. And today is 20th March.What a chance I was there as a traveller and being a part of this day. Opposite the road Yosr showed me the Statue of Ibn-i Haldun who is philosopher and a sosyologist was standing in front of the Mont Catedrale.
After a short break in front of the Catedrale we are going to Sidi Bou Said is one of the romantic place in Tunusia and known white&blue houses. I like blue colour, it is my favourite calour and and I foynd myself in front of the blue doors and posing to Saif, walking in the narrow streets with a smell of Bambolini in our noise. Bambolini is a kind of donat. You should try it before leave Tunusia and the road ends with the Mediterrian Sea. I want to sit in a cafe and watch the sea and chose the Cafe Des Delices. Actually it is a song name that French singer Patrick Bruel sings this song. I laid down on the sofa and looked at the sea and hills wait for the sun-set and the sun was stroking me liek a orange blanket in the evening. I wanted to drink Turkish coffe, but they made the coffe with a diffrent style it smelt yasmin and saw the guys were drinking tea with fresh almonds seeds.
While in a confersation I learnt the more romantic places are Tozeur(Douz, Tamaghaza), Jerba, Hammamet, Sidi Bou Said as a romantic person like me that's wonderful. It was getting cold and we were six, Nebil joined us, sitting on the rocks near the Yatch Marine and listening to Tarkan from my mobile phone. Mohamed is a big fun of Tarkan. I confess I hate getting cold and stood between Saif and Nebil to keep calm than we got on the cars and went our ways to meet each other again.
Nebil and I had dinner in a small restaurant and ate Ojja, kind of traditional food with a special tomatoe souce and meat and egg. I loved it.
When we arrived home I felt tired so much and fell into sleep at once.
3 Nisan 2011 Pazar
First Day in Tunis
I was very excited and full of worries before going Tunusia. Because; in Turkey and in the world press everbody said that Tunusia is not safe after revolution for traveller and tourists. My friend, Mohamed from Tunis told me that nowdays it is safe and the situation of Tunusia is stable to come. I booked a hotel for a few days and send request to a couchsurfing member for a night.
Because; I couldn't reach Mohamed till the last day before I left Turkey. He would find a place to stay for me. I don't need to stay in a hotel, a Couchsurfer hosted me. On Saturday of March morning I was on the plane is flying to Tunis in 2 and half hours and I caught myself saying " I am going to Tunusia. Yuppi. That's great experience waiting for me there. I ate all the menu they served on the plane usually on the plane I eat whole things they serve cause I feel hungry while I am flying. I could see the small islands above 11.000m near Tunusia. We were flying over white cotton clouds... There aren't any Turkish passengers on the plane so that I felt lonely for a while. Next tow seats were free so I could sit what I wanted. That's great!
It is about afternoon when I arrived Tunis Carthage airport. First thing took my attantion was the arabic words. And I need to go backword the time for an hour. Tunusia was the first Arabic country that I visited. After I got off the plane I got my luggage and send a sms to Mohamed " I am in" and saw him in the hall and hold him thightly because; I miss him and need to see him there. And outside Hishem was waiting for us. I requested him to host me before I came. He is a radio director tecnique in Mosaique FM and a part-time DJ. He invited us to see him at work, learnt with shiny face Mosaique FM is the first private radio established in 2003, yes I was excited to see a real radio station building, while we came in there was an alive programme.
Tunusia has 11 million population and 154.530 km2 small country in North Africa by the Mediterrian Sea. A Tunusian Dinnar equals A Turkish Lira. You need to bring dolar or euro to change TND. Public language is Tunusian Arabic but most of the people speak French as a second language.
Hishem lives in Tunis city centre, so lucky I am to transport city centre easily, by train it is 10 minutes away. I felt hungry again when I arrived home, Hishem showed my room and selves to put my clothes, that's was great for me to find some space to put my clothes, I don't have to keep the clothes in the luggage. I ate some sweety things they are fabolous. And need a shower to feel awake. After shower I heard Hishem was saying "Sahha" means "health" in Tunusian Arabic in commanly use when someone has a shower, buys something new, after meal.
While we were going home I noticed that the public buses are yellow and metro is green-yellow. The cars have numbers and Arabic letters in the plates. Taxies have plates and speacial numbers above to call.
Weather was wonderful as being a March day, sun was up and smiling at me and saying "Welcome to Tunusia".
We passed away Prime Ministery Building it sourrounds with wire fence and soldiers stay all day long there. Temporary President Fuat Mebazaa will stay till 24th July.
I found myself in La Marsa with Hishem, Nebil, Halima and other firends of them in Cafe Journal in the evening. I needed to go to restroom and found something new again. The purity tab is hung on the wall.
I felt myself like a spring weather. We were going somewhere to somewhere and I never planned, somebody planned for me I obeyed everything, we were going shopping now got beers from Carrefour that is the biggest market in Tunis now. Before the revolution it was Jeant Market was fired by the people against the Government and belonged relative of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.Most of the Tunusian hate ZABA and miss first goverrment of Tunusia Republic is Habib Borgiba was a lawyer and most of Tunusian love him.
After shopping we were separated in two teams Hishem and I and Halima and Nebil. First team went to Odeon Disco to watch Hishem's DJ performance. Second team went to Bilanko Bar we will join them later. I couldn't find a word how to explain my happiness to see a DJ performance very close. I was standing behind him staring at him in a hynotic state. He performs house music and has a original sound.When we got out of the bar it was raining slowly and could see the windscreen wiper was making a sound click-clack and were driving Bilanko Bar towards Chamart. It was full of people from around the world every type, every colour, every religion gathered together inside under a rap,hiphop and club music umbrella with a alive music DJ perfermance. I really had fun, danced and danced till feel tired and breathless.
It was almost morning when we came home and met with the warm bed like a sleepy child.
Because; I couldn't reach Mohamed till the last day before I left Turkey. He would find a place to stay for me. I don't need to stay in a hotel, a Couchsurfer hosted me. On Saturday of March morning I was on the plane is flying to Tunis in 2 and half hours and I caught myself saying " I am going to Tunusia. Yuppi. That's great experience waiting for me there. I ate all the menu they served on the plane usually on the plane I eat whole things they serve cause I feel hungry while I am flying. I could see the small islands above 11.000m near Tunusia. We were flying over white cotton clouds... There aren't any Turkish passengers on the plane so that I felt lonely for a while. Next tow seats were free so I could sit what I wanted. That's great!
It is about afternoon when I arrived Tunis Carthage airport. First thing took my attantion was the arabic words. And I need to go backword the time for an hour. Tunusia was the first Arabic country that I visited. After I got off the plane I got my luggage and send a sms to Mohamed " I am in" and saw him in the hall and hold him thightly because; I miss him and need to see him there. And outside Hishem was waiting for us. I requested him to host me before I came. He is a radio director tecnique in Mosaique FM and a part-time DJ. He invited us to see him at work, learnt with shiny face Mosaique FM is the first private radio established in 2003, yes I was excited to see a real radio station building, while we came in there was an alive programme.
Tunusia has 11 million population and 154.530 km2 small country in North Africa by the Mediterrian Sea. A Tunusian Dinnar equals A Turkish Lira. You need to bring dolar or euro to change TND. Public language is Tunusian Arabic but most of the people speak French as a second language.
Hishem lives in Tunis city centre, so lucky I am to transport city centre easily, by train it is 10 minutes away. I felt hungry again when I arrived home, Hishem showed my room and selves to put my clothes, that's was great for me to find some space to put my clothes, I don't have to keep the clothes in the luggage. I ate some sweety things they are fabolous. And need a shower to feel awake. After shower I heard Hishem was saying "Sahha" means "health" in Tunusian Arabic in commanly use when someone has a shower, buys something new, after meal.
While we were going home I noticed that the public buses are yellow and metro is green-yellow. The cars have numbers and Arabic letters in the plates. Taxies have plates and speacial numbers above to call.
Weather was wonderful as being a March day, sun was up and smiling at me and saying "Welcome to Tunusia".
We passed away Prime Ministery Building it sourrounds with wire fence and soldiers stay all day long there. Temporary President Fuat Mebazaa will stay till 24th July.
I found myself in La Marsa with Hishem, Nebil, Halima and other firends of them in Cafe Journal in the evening. I needed to go to restroom and found something new again. The purity tab is hung on the wall.
I felt myself like a spring weather. We were going somewhere to somewhere and I never planned, somebody planned for me I obeyed everything, we were going shopping now got beers from Carrefour that is the biggest market in Tunis now. Before the revolution it was Jeant Market was fired by the people against the Government and belonged relative of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.Most of the Tunusian hate ZABA and miss first goverrment of Tunusia Republic is Habib Borgiba was a lawyer and most of Tunusian love him.
After shopping we were separated in two teams Hishem and I and Halima and Nebil. First team went to Odeon Disco to watch Hishem's DJ performance. Second team went to Bilanko Bar we will join them later. I couldn't find a word how to explain my happiness to see a DJ performance very close. I was standing behind him staring at him in a hynotic state. He performs house music and has a original sound.When we got out of the bar it was raining slowly and could see the windscreen wiper was making a sound click-clack and were driving Bilanko Bar towards Chamart. It was full of people from around the world every type, every colour, every religion gathered together inside under a rap,hiphop and club music umbrella with a alive music DJ perfermance. I really had fun, danced and danced till feel tired and breathless.
It was almost morning when we came home and met with the warm bed like a sleepy child.
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