Lockdown Armchair Travel – Tunis, Tunisia, 19th December 2012

Finally moving off S and on to T, and T is for Tunisia and one day spent in its capital, Tunis, during a Mediterranean cruise shortly before Christmas in 2012. So, when you think of Tunis, what do you think of? Probably not this…

But our cruise was one of the first that called into Tunisia after its 2011 revolution, and there were still plenty of military around, worried about security.

However, it didn’t spoil our day – the country was desperate to revitalise its old tourist industry, and the soldiers simply ignored us. Tunis is a delightful mix of the old and the new. Modern architecture like the City Hall

Sit comfortably side by side with sights such as the Catholic Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul.

The modernity of the University

And the tradition of the Youssef Dey Mosque

As with many Muslim cities, you get the best feel for real life in the bazaars and the souks. Tunis has a wealth of them.

You can have your hair cut

Buy from a tailor

Have a coffee

Buy food

Buy decorative trinkets

And of course, a magic flying carpet!

And there’ll always be a traditional dancer there to encourage you to buy!

The architecture of the souks and the old town is fascinating too. I love the old doors

And those Moorish arches

And, of course, the tiles

Walking the streets is where you see the real people and the real sights

Outside Tunis, Sidi Bou Said is known for its beautiful blues.

Just one day  in Tunisia is obviously not enough, but you can get just a taste of the life here.

And there’ll always be a traditional welcome for day trippers off a cruise!

 

Tunisia – Tunis

Welcome PartyAll European cruises always include a non-EU destination so that it can be duty-free, and on this MSC Splendida itinerary last December, that honour was to be bestowed on Tunis. Looking out to land as the ship came closer to shore, we saw a friendly welcome party of four musicians and three camels outside a fast food outlet. I sensed we were in for a cross between the Arabian Nights and an Out of Town retail park.

State of EmergencyWe decided to do the tour that explored the souks, and on the whole it was a pretty wise choice. As the coach took us into the centre of town, we realised there was a heavy military presence. Our guide explained that the country was still in a State of Emergency following the Arab Spring earlier in the year. Barbed wire lined the pavements, camouflage trucks graced the boulevard outside the Catholic Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul and the statue of Ibn Khaldun gazed sorrowfully at a socking great military tank.

Siège de la MunicipalitéWe got out of the bus at the Siège de la Municipalité, where bright red Tunisian flags were flapping in the breeze and the military police were watching every step we made. It was a little uncomfortable, to be honest, but being unfazeable travellers we fixed the police with our “so what” stares and followed our guide down the steps, alongside some Moorish buildings till we came to the little alleyways that would lead down to the souk.

Souk doorsWe studiously noted the designs on the great yellow wooden doors that were dotted along the alleys, where Jewish Stars of David made out of studs were closely intermingled with Islamic crescent moons – a symbol that the area had always been one of freedom to follow your own faith, with both communities living happily side by side. Rather superb. There’s also a very interesting clock tower on one of the government buildings in the area – with a normal 1 – 12 clock face on top (the type we all recognise) and an Islamic clock beneath.

Inside the souk (1)Anyway, bypassing the last remnants of the barbed wire, we trudged through the small alleyways and entered the souk at one of its many gates. As soon as you enter, you realise what a hive of activity the place is. Every single nook and cranny seems to be populated with intent, hardworking people, quietly going about their business; cooking, mending, cleaning, stacking, making, cutting, chatting, buying and selling.Inside the souk (2) We saw guys arranging stacks of beret-like caps; a man carefully sewing and stitching an exquisite over garment; and of course, plenty of little cafeterias and drink stalls. It’s a veritable warren of interweaving alleys, full of Arabian mystery. You end up exiting the souks by one path, going outside for short way – maybe seeing a small mosque or some charming typical blue balconies – only then to get plunged back into the warren for some more crisscrossing pathways.Inside the souk (3) At one point you’re standing outside what is apparently still a maternity hospital; at another you’re at a craft market; still another, you’re all trying different scented oils in what appears to be a converted harem. Virtually all trades are represented there – with plenty of precious stones, good quality clothes and mystic antiques to take your fancy.

Terrace viewFrom the souk it’s just a very short walk to an open air terrace that offers tremendous views (that’s my estate agent voice talking again) of the city. The terrace is rather unpromisingly at on the top floor of a souvenir shop but all guides seem to find it, so do as you’re told and you’re bound to get there. At that terrace level, minarets, roofs, but above all, satellite dishes abound. Back downstairs and you have to go through the excruciation of the shop proprietors unfurling endless carpets to entice your hard earned cash out of you, and what you desperately hope is that someone elseMore shopping in your party shows interest and flashes some cash so that you can slink off without causing offence.

Back into the souk again, and time for some souvenir shopping. There’s plenty to choose from. Lanterns, exotic slippers, Italia Football T-shirts, leather goods, even a fez, they’re all here. Mrs Chrisparkle decided not to get a belly-dancing outfit; I thought she was being a bit of a spoilsport. Talking of which, that was the last part of our tour – a trip upstairs in another shop to see two ladies giving it the traditional belly-dance routine, to the plaintive sounds Belly Dancingof an old bloke puffing on a horn instrument, whilst British tourists sat around looking slightly bemused. It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of the souk, and although you felt a lot of it was “put on for tourists”, there’s no doubt that this traditional way of life is still thriving. Very enjoyable, and a bit of exotic escapism!