Tunisia

When "Tunisia" appeared as a destination in my February roster I must admit my knowledge on this diminutive country was very limited and after some electronic research I was quickly counting down the days at the prospect of visiting somewhere with so much history against a backdrop of Mediterranean views.

I spent this visit exploring a gorgeous little village, Sidi Bou Said. The small buildings sit way up high above the sparkling blue water, with the cobblestone winding road (yes, singular) leading you through the town against houses, restaurants, souvenir shops and cafes. As I wondered the streets and shops my eyes were regularly distracted by glimpses of the ocean from in between the array of blue and white painted buildings, I can only imagine how dazzling Tunisia would be in the height of summer!

As soon as our taxis pulled up at the base of the quiet little village shop owners appeared from nowhere, each eager to lure seven girls into their shops brimming with silver jewellery, perfume, incense, ceramics, leather shoes, mosaic mirrors. With the promise of "best price" and "free to look" from all the men, we ended the afternoon holding many bags of goods, and I am quite sure the local economy was boosted ten-fold that day.


With the sun setting on Sidi Bou Said and the temperature quickly dropping, we went farther afield to the edge of the village in search of authentic local cuisine. We settled on a quiet, dimly lit restaurant with two very egar to please waiters who kept bringing us morsels of Tunisian entrees, a practical education for us all! For dinner we each ordered variations of couscous which had been cooked in big earthenware vessels, topped with soft tasty pastry forming a lid over the top of the containers. It was quite yummy, and the hot tea which they bought us afterwards was so good - it was served in teeny-tiny glasses and was very sweet and minty.

After peeling away the breaded lid, our waiter poured its piping hot contents on top of our couscous