Teaching in Tunisia

Friday, March 20, 2015

Touring Mahdia

Thursday afternoon mom and dad arrived in Tunisia! Once they claimed their lost bags (oh Paris... you never disappoint!), we got in the car and headed to Mahdia! It is a sweet town on the coast about 2 1/2 hours from Tunis. Many teachers have been here before and always rave about it so I was excited to go! We are staying at a hotel recommended by many teachers and it did not disappoint! My favorite hotel I have stayed at in Tunisia by far! It is owned by a sweet man who is very present and ready to help. The rooms are more life little houses and each place has its own special touch of Tunisia. It is also right on the water which does not disappoint! On Friday, we spent the day walking around and touring downtown Mahdia. What a sweet beautiful town!

The sun setting as we drove to Mahdia

Our dinner once we arrived at the hotel (all food is freshly prepared and served to us at our table)

First meal... whole fish! Dad and I were very brave and mom was in heaven!

The next day we spent the morning around the hotel. This is mom and dad's room

I am in front of the blue door to the sea! (hotel behind me, sea in front of me)

Mom and dad in the reception area

Then we headed to downtown Mahdia! Here is a car all decorated to show they were just married.

Friday is market day in Mahdia and we found a frip!!! I am so excited mom got to experience it!

Dad looking at different beans and spices

The old mosque

The door in the middle of the town

The coast

Next we walked around the old cemetery which was just beautiful with all the wild flowers and sea in the background

The old fort

We walked back through town... I love all the blue and tiles

We stopped for a coffee and bathroom break that was quite rejuvenating

The sweet man who waited on us

As we walked around town, I was looking for an art gallery to buy Tunisian paintings for my house and I stumbled upon this beauty! I found two beautiful pieces that will forever remind me of Tunisia! Here I am with the kind artist!

After a little more shopping, we headed back to the car but stopped for a sandwich before heading back to the hotel

Once arriving back at the hotel, Dad and I took a walk on the beach! A great first day for sure!

I am safe.

I am safe. I am sorry I did not blog earlier. Things have been a little crazy here. In case you haven't heard, there was a terrorist attack in Tunis where 20 people were killed on Wednesday. The terrorists got word that Parliament was having an anti-terroist meeting and they were planning to sabotage that meeting. But they could not get in so they went to the Bardo museum next door. The Bardo museum is a huge tourist attraction (large mosaic collection) so many tourists go there. That day 2 large cruise ships had docked in Tunis so the passengers were in the museum. The terrorists killed people in the museum- out of the 20 people killed, 18 were tourists. It was a very sobering day! 20 people were killed. Many were on vacation. Tunisians are sad this happened to their country. People are not going to be comfortable visiting here. It is sad and hard to grasp. However, I still feel safe here, still love living here, and want others to feel the same. Tunisia is a beautiful country with lovely, friendly people! There are wonderful things to see! I love it here and want others to feel the same way! Please know I am safe but please pray for the families of people killed and for Tunisians as their country has been rocked.

Here are some pictures from that day that are unrelated to the attacks but will hopefully make you smile!

One of my students wore this awesome shirt!! "Ninjas love Harrissa"

(harissa is a spicy tomato paste that is used in everything in Tunisia)

I hung out with Katie after school since we were both home alone. Someone came over from the embassy and brought Girl Scout cookies! Katie modeled the boxes. The one on the left I brought from NC and the one on the right Tom from the embassy brought. Do you see the difference? Weird right?

Monday, March 16, 2015

Back in Tunisia!

Zoe and I made it to Tunisia on Wednesday afternoon safe and sound! We had uneventful flights and it is great to be back in Tunisia with friends who are like family! I have not been able to blog earlier because my internet has been down until today so I am going to tell you in person what I have been up to since landing!

Mom, me, Paul (and Zoe in her bag under the white pillow) at the airport right before I went through security

Zoe and I in the Frankfurt, Germany airport

Zoe roaming the Frankfurt airport before boarding our final flight

My view as soon as I walked into my house (Laura surprised me with a beautiful banner and kitchen stocked with food)

On Friday, I went to school to see my students for the first time!

Such a sweet reunion!

After busy meetings on Friday, my fabulous sub took me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant!

Saturday, I used the awesome blood oranges Laura got me to make orange juice!

I also picked some lemons off of my lemon tree! There are a LOT of lemons!

After a fabulous Frip visit, Zoe and I went on a walk! I loved the flower fields!

Today was my first full day back in the classroom and it was a great one! I love teaching my students again and seeing how much they have grown! They are like little sponges and I love them so!

Monday, March 9, 2015

Birthday Fun!

I blogged on all the fun leading up to my birthday but never blogged about my actual birthday so here goes!

My morning started out by Skyping with the cutest 3, 4, and 5 year olds EVER!

I then went to West Lake Elementary to spend time with my friends and their students! I wore this super cool shirt one of my former students got me because I share my birthday with Dr. Seuss!

After school, I went to get a pedicure, complete with a hot stone foot massage and all! I loved my new fun aqua color too!

When I got home I discovered this beauty... Laura (fabulous friend from Tunisia) sent me my favorite flower on my birthday!

Then we went out for dinner at my favorite restaurant... Bella Monica!

Afterwards, we came home and ate yummy cake and opened presents!

It was a wonderful birthday spent with family and friends!

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Heading Home

On Wednesday, I went to see my cardiologist for my check up to see how much my heart has healed since my last visit the end of January. She was very please with it and said it looks a lot better! She said she was comfortable now with me going back to Tunisia! I was cleared! I was totally shocked and excited but then when she left the room, I started crying. I was so scared to leave now that the time was actually hear. Since the end of January I have been "ready" to go back and now I am not so sure. The grass is always greener.

Since that time, I have not stopped running (not literally! plus the doctor said I could only do exercise in 15 minute increments until my body was ready to do longer- and we all know how much I love to run ;). I have emailed friends in Tunis, FaceTimed Laura, texted friends here, called Lufthansa (and called...) to book my flight, and that is just the things I can do sitting down. I have also visited with friends one final time and spent as much time as I can with my family. Oh I have gone to the vet to get Zoe checked out and ready to fly. I was not expecting to be cleared and was not expecting all I had to do at the very last minute. But my school and friends in Tunis have been very supportive! My friends here have been encouragin! And my family has been my rock- when I crumble and feel everything around me has crumbled, they have stood firm and held me up!

Right before I leave to go back to Tunis every time, I turn into another person. A monster some might say!.I become super stressed and I think I handle my way of leaving by holding people at a distance. I become mean and I hate that! I don't know why I do it. Probably because it is so hard to leave (once I get to Tunis, I am ok but the leaving kills me every time) and I don't share my feelings. I like to keep my feelings bottled up which is not a good thing and I need to work on releasing them. But I just being honest here. Remember... my blog so no judging! ;) I have shared my feelings on here before- I feel safe here. Anyway, the one who I will at times let loose to is Zoe and poor thing, I am sure she has no idea what I am saying through the sobs but she sits, snuggles and listens.

So yes, I am going back to Tunis! Yes, I am so excited to spend time with my friends! Yes, I am excited to get hugs from my PreKers! Yes, I am excited to become a teacher again! But I am so scared! Scared to leave the life I have lived for the past 3+ months! (Wow... it just hit me... today is my 3 month anniversary since my surgery!) Scared to be away from my parents! Sad to leave my friends! Scared I won't remember how to teach or even worse remember how to manage a classroom full of 18 three and four year olds! But through deep breaths and a lot of trust in God, He will get me through this! He has carried me this far and isn't going to drop me now! He is going to keep carrying me and I need to let him.

Thank you! Thank you for the prayers, calls, texts, emails, Voxers, pictures, cards, and love! Without your love and supposrt, these last 3 months would have been impossible! And to my parents: you are my rock! Thank you for EVERYTHING you have done for me! I love you to the moon and back!!!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Family Birthday Celebration!

Last night, we went out to dinner at Kipos Greek Taverna for my birthday! This was a restaurant we went to on our Chapel Hill Food Tour and dinner there did not disappoint! It was AMAZING!! And the company was even better! I am so grateful the whole Greensboro crew was able to come up and celebrate!

Meghan, me, Ellen