Down to the South of Tunisia

So sorry I am so behind on bloogging! I can make 20 excuses or just try to slowly but surely catch up. So here I go!

A couple of weeks ago, two friends and I went to the Southern part of Tunisia. It is near the Sahara desert but not quite that south. I have been there before with Paul when he came to visit- it is a whole different world down there! It is vast and just gorgeous. But very different.

Our tour guide and driver picked us up at the hotel and off we went. We drove by Salt Lakes and they always fascinate me!

Then a few minutes after I asked and surprisingly to our guide, we passed a field of camels! It is so cool to see a bunch of camels grazing freely! So surreal!

Our first stop was to Ksar Gatoufa. It has not be updated and was left as it had been when it was built. It was neat to see it in original form and it was great to explore. It was my favorite Ksar by far!

Then our next stop was Ksar Ezahra. People still live in it and they are fighting hard to keep it that way. It is neat to see how they are making it there own and living in it. The men were playing games and school children were walking home for lunch. It was a neat and authentic experience!

Our last Ksar of the day was Ksar Ouled Soltane. It has been refurbished to look like it did long along. It is also featured on the 20 dinar bill. It was fun to climb in and out of the doors and windows since the stairs has been redone.

Next stop was the city of Tatouine where we had the BEST lunch ever! It was the best Tunisian food I have had! It was very moist lamb stewed in amazing sauce with vegetables.

The front of the restaurant

Horn of Gazelle- these are pastries that are horn-shaped and special to this area

We got to go back and watch how they make it- too cool!

Then we walked around Tatouine for a bit

Our last stop of the day was was to the Berber Village of Guermessa. I'm not going to lie- we had to climb up there (steep hill/walk) and it nearly killed me but I was so proud to get to the top! It was super neat to climb around and see how people use to live in this village so long ago.

Berber writing on the ceilings

Loved this mosque

There was a cross on the top

Then we headed to our cave hotel that we would be calling home for the next two nights. It was great to stop and rest because man were we exhausted! But it was a great day for sure!

Couscous for dinner... yes please!

After dinner and playing a game with Catherine, we crashed in our cozy cave bed!

A Week in Tunis with my Parents

After we got home from Sicily, my parents still had a week here in Tunis. I was very blessed they were able to stay that long. It was such a sweet treat and I miss them tons! I still reminisce of the everyday things we did together.

Sunday was Easter and we spent the morning and afternoon with the Harrisons (a family I am very close to)
We went to brunch on the roof of a hotel that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea
Liam showing off his rabbit, Easter, to Dad

 

 

The boys talking

Our view from the top

Jess and Mila

Sweet handsome boy

Sweet group shot outside the hotel

The mosque and the boys

On our way back to the Harrisons to pick up Zoe, we stopped for ice cream!

Sweet Zoe and Karen loving on each other

A girl and her cars

For dinner that night my teaching assistant invited my parents and me over for dinner. It was such a fun time spent with her family! Naima let mom help make the briks.

This is Racha, Naima's daughter that mom was really looking forward to meeting. Her son, Tarek is loving up on her.

On Monday after work, we headed to the American cemetery because dad had not been there before. It was such a sight to see!

For dinner Monday night, we went to Rym's (my dear friend and coworker) house and then she took us to a restaurant right by her house in La Goulette. It is right by the sea and it is known for fresh seafood. We got to pick out our fish, shrimps and squid.

Sadly, I took very few pictures of the majority of our week:hammaming, Amazing Race night, pizza with the Harrisons and much more. However, I did document our trip to Carrefour!

Thursday night, we went to going-away dinner for my friend's husband who is moving back to the states ahead of her. Lou, you are missed!

I took Friday off to spend the day with my parents. We took the train to...

Sidi Bou Said for breakfast at my favorite place... Cook's!

They have the most delicious breakfast!

Then we took the train to downtown Tunis to tour the medina!

The clock tower in downtown Tunis

Into the medina we go! Oh golly did we get lost but we sure did have a fun time!

We got to try on what mom wanted more than anything... a burnoose!

It is what the characters wore in Star Wars so my parents were in heaven!

The sweet shop owner and his son

Loved all the wire... like Radcliff Wire!

Oh this shop owner was crazy but I do love this picture of the three of us!

This map saved us when we got lost and could not get out of the medina

After lunch, we took a taxi ride back to our car in La Marsa (where we got the train). And we had our final donut that we all love so!

Now that's true love!

Now this was a sight to see in Marsa! The dog on the roof!! Not sure why but we hope he/she was ok!

For dinner, we went out with Catherine and Omar to a yummy seafood place!

 

Mom and Dad, what a special time we had! There is so much that was no photographed that I would do anything to relive! It was such a special time with my two most favorite people in the world! I love you!