A Day at the Beach - Mediterranean

Check out that blue sky!  No wonder "Mediterranean Blue" is such a gorgeous shade of blue.  We made like the locals and headed off to the beach last Sunday.  Brand new beach chairs, beach towels and beach umbrella.  However, it was kind of windy, so our new umbrella promptly folded inside-out as soon as we opened it up.  We soon discovered that you can rent a permanent grass umbrella for what would be ~$2.00 for the day.  Far easier and much more effective.

This was the first time Roy had been to the beach in the 6 years he has been coming here!  So I guess I'm doing my job by insisting on some "Fun Time".

And I'm marvelling at how easy it is to just decide "hey, it looks like a nice day ... let's head down to the beach".  For us Canadians, organizing a day like this requires much time and many $$$'s.  I think I can get used to this!


FOR YOU MOM .....

You asked for a scenic photo of the beach, so here's one:

I took this from our sitting spot at a beach near Tunis.  It was a very hot day (around +32), so hanging out near the water was a lovely way to spend the hot afternoon.  It was quite windy that day, so it was very easy to stay cool by hanging out here.  Wish you could have been here ... it's very close to your beloved Italy!

A week in Paris

A Parisian Pottery Shop

There's Roy "the Crackberry Addict", doing his thing while I'm doing mine - SHOPPING.  Now what could possibly be better than shopping in Paris I say!  This was a shop all dedicated to pottery, so yes I had to visit and yes, found a perfectly beautiful (and heavy) flower vase.  So the Crackberry Addict got to carry my new found treasure as we headed off to explore my favourite part of this city .... the area around Sacre Coeur Church.  The streets are perfectly Parisian; narrow, cobblestone and filled with small shops not unlike the farmer's market in Sidney and tons of little cafes which really are better known for serving wines.  This area is on a rather high spot in Paris, so one could glimpse some beautiful views of the city in between the buildings.  However, the best part I think is the church with it's most amazing sculptures.  Quite frankly, I far preferred this church to Notre Dame.  Also, there were lots of street performers around to add to the atmosphere ... around Notre Dame were a pile of tourist shops and people trying to con $$$ from you.

Maureen - A Candle in Notre Dame for you

So for you Maureen, I'm not real clear on the Catholic traditions, but I thought I'd light a candle in Notre Dame church in your name.  I hope this will bring you some good luck or a fulfilled wish - this is for you.  Sorry the photo came out so dark, your candle is the one furthest on the right.

Food - We certainly had some amazing meals, but I think one of the more interesting moments was when we found an organic-style restaurant.  They always bring out an olive tamponade with french bread slices, but this place also promoted that they used fresh basil.  So while we were waiting for our meal, they brought out their fresh basil ... a whole plant!  Here's a photo:

Fresh Basil in a Brasserie

And, yes - that is the proverbial red wine flask right beside our fresh basil.  And, yes again ... a most amazing meal.

Duty Free Shopping - A bag full of Chocolate

Lastly, was heading back.  I hit yet another store ... this time a candy store and bought a hefty supply of chocolate.  I had learned that good chocolate is hard to come by in Tunis so thought it wise to pack some back.  (A girl just can't have enough chocolate I say!)

A Most Incredible Dinner - Wed. June 8, 2011

I simply must comment on a most incredible dinner experience last night.  And I'm not talking about the food, although that was "a whole lot of alright" too.  It was the people we had dinner with, specifically one of Roy's work contacts.  He is originally from Libya,  currently lives in London, was schooled in Florida (his English was probably better than mine!) and has a lot of experience in working in this area of the world.  Although his wife, kids and a few brother/sisters live outside of Libya (they are in the UK), his mother and some other immediate family are currently in Libya, specifically Tripoli.  He was very open in talking about the bombings that NATO has been involved with and he explained that the people there (~90%) are out on their rooftops cheering and celebrating every time they hear a NATO plane fly overhead!  They are hugely appreciative of the assistance NATO is providing.   And contrary to the reports coming out of the still very controlled media from that area, the NATO bombings have been quite accurate.  He is not aware of any real "collateral damage" and in fact explained that a recent media report showing a young 3 year old girl having been severely injured from a NATO attack was actually from a car accident she was unfortunately involved with (one of his immediate family members is a physician at that hospital).  It was almost comical when he explained the joking and celebrating that went on a few nights back when it was the most intense bombing effort from NATO thus far and coincidently it was Gaddafi's 70th birthday!

There are a huge number of people fleeing Libya into Tunisia, especially Tunis (the capital) where we are.  He mentioned that there is ~450,000 people who have fled!  The hotels here and throughout the country are fully booked and many Tunisians have opened up there homes to take in some Libyan refugees.  There seems to be a large respect and appreciation between these two countries.  And, now I know why it has been so difficult for me to shop here ... I am competing with 450,000 other visitors to Tunisia for household items, etc!  Geesh, what a time and world we live in.

Second Week in Tunis. Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Roy returned back from Calgary over the weekend ... sure glad I wasn't traveling with him .... days of traveling and only really one day in Calgary!  Hardly seems worth it if you ask me.  So with Roy back, we have begun to carve out a new routine for ourselves.  Some time at the "Lac Club", their name for the sports facility in the Berge du Lac area here, and continuing to work at getting this new apartment furnished.  Then evenings either going out for dinner (there are many restaurants in this area!) or munching on some locally grown foods at "home".  I must say that the vegetables one can get here are absolutely the most delicious I have ever eaten anywhere.  If our vegies at home could taste like these here, we wouldn't need to take so many vitamin supplements!  The fruits aren't bad either, and still loving those olives!  So no shortage of great, healthy food.

A few more furniture choices made.  I keep harping on that as shopping here is nothing like back home.  They all say "yes", even if they really mean "no".  There is only immediately available, we will find someone who can get it for you, or we can build it as you like.  And it can take over an hour for a novice shopper (me) to figure out their "yes" to really mean one of the later two types.  The hardest room to do has been the den, which means purchasing a desk and chair.  Now you would think this wouldn't be too hard, but it seems that the only furniture the people of Tunisia have need of is bedroom and living room.  I bet I have gone to over a dozen stores this week do you think I can find one that sells desks?  And when yesterday I thought I hit the jackpot ... a whole store dedicated to office furniture .... well it was just that ... their desks were the size of a room itself!  Many metres long, a few meters wide and filled with all sorts of "secret" doors and compartments.  So eventually I decided to go with the third style of "Yes" with a store, and they will build one for me - 3 weeks ... hmm, I wonder again if it will be a real three weeks or a Tunisian three weeks .... only time will tell on that one.

Le Grande Bleu Restaurant:

Anyhow, I think I have figured out how to add some attachments to this blog.  So here's two taken from Jamel's favourite restaurant.  It overlooks the Mediterranean and is one of the most desired spots for locals to go for seafood.  That's Jamel (a work colleague of Roy's) in the second photograph.  He's a most amazing person to spend time with, very wise and very easy to talk to.

Leaving Sidney Mid-May 2011

If someone would have told me just a few weeks ago that my life would be uprooted from the best place on earth to prepare for a move to Tunisia, I would not have believed it for a minute.  But life is like that I guess and this is one of those times.  Not an easy transition, especially for someone who really prefers to stay put and likes to be organized and stay ahead of life's challenges!  Already the first challenge, now handled, was learning that we best not bring our family dog with us.  Little Misha has been my trusty companion for the last 7 years, so saying good bye to her as I passed her off to my sister was every bit as hard as I thought it would be.  I know she will be well looked after, but one certainly gets used to having our furry friends underfoot ... way too quiet once they are not around!

Then there was they saying good bye to an amazing job, wonderful friends and those amazing summer evenings out on our beloved Sidney Island.

A quiet day in Tunis - June 3rd

Not wanting to plan too much for today, I thought I would try another class at the health club, practice some "Rosetta Stone" french and catch up on some paperwork, and this blog since the internet now seems to be working fairly well.

The class at the health club went well, just a stretch class ... so not a lot of coordination required.  I spent some time with Rosetta Stone.  I have noticed that my Rosetta Stone preparation prior to coming here has really been paying off well so am quite motivated to continue.  It would be more than alright to be able to develop some skills in speaking another language ... especially at my age!  And then I've spent the remainder of the day updating this blog.  So many of my friends have been asking for updates on my trip, and I committed to doing this.  However, up to today, I really haven't had much time to post some entries (or blogs as they say .... I prefer the word "entry").  So hence, the profuse number of entries all done today.  I will try to do a better, more consistent job of posting, going forward.

It is now close to supper time and Jamel will be coming by to pick me up soon, so I will close for now.  Please comment if you wish and if any of you know how to add photos to this thing, let me know.  I'm certainly not seeing that usual "idiot proof" button which says "download a photo".

Now it's time for exercise Thursday, June 2, 2011

So now that the main task of organizing the basic furnishings for our new place is mostly done, I thought I would try to check out the local health club to see about organizing some kind of exercise routine.  It's located only a few blocks from our apartment and Roy has already been a member there for the last few years.  As Roy had given them a heads up that I may wish to also join, it's a relatively simple matter to make the arrangements.  That was the easy part.  Then the hard part, I've decided that I would try a "Salsa" dance class.  I've never actually taken any Salsa dancing but thought perhaps my Jazzercise experience might at least give me a credible start.

I arrived my usual "Canadian" early to class and of course they were running their usual "Tunisian" late. This was not necessarily a good thing.  Because I was so "early", I was then able to watch their traditional aerobics class which runs prior to the Salsa one I was hoping to try.  Oh dear god, nothing could prepare someone for what I saw.  Imagine a room full of people, kinda of like the current Zumba classes that have become so popular in Calgary lately, all dancing some complicated, fast paced Arabic dancing and everyone (even the guys) performing beautifully!  I mean, they could take their class as a show on the road in Canada and people would buy tickets!  I'm now thinking, how can I quietly get out of here and pretend like I was never there.  There is no way that I could ever learn to dance like that!  I'm looking desperately for at least one person who might be on the same learning curve as me, and nope .... they all look amazing.  Then Jamel's wife, Samia and her two girls see me .... it is great to see them but oh no, now I have to follow through on this Salsa thing since my graceful exit is no longer a possibility.

We have a good visit and then very soon my new Salsa class starts up.  I decide to make sure I'm at the very back, in a corner and just do my best.  No such luck, there are only about 6 people in this class, so am very much visible.  The class starts and phew, I am actually able to follow not too badly.  I guess I picked the right class to start off with after-all.

Samia & Jamel have invited me to diner tomorrow evening, I will try to arrange to get Samia and/or her girls to show me some of those aerobic class moves.  Perhaps this will be a new goal for the time here.  To be able to get through, credibly, one of those classes!  Hmm, can a white, scottish-canadian learn some Arabic dancing ....?

Back For Some More Furniture Shopping Wednesday, June 1, 2011

So new day, with a mission to get that bedroom furniture selected.  I arrange for my very patient driver-friend, Aimen to take me and decide to try first the Tunisian version of "The Brick" furniture store.  The quality is not nearly so good as my previously selected pieces, but the prices reflect that, which I like.  However, it turns out that their beds (they call a bed - the unit which holds the mattress and is joined with a headboard) are all sized smaller than the mattress Roy has already purchased so no selection at this store is possible.  I decide to go back to the same furniture shop where I had previously purchased some pieces. A bit more expensive, but they are able to produce whatever I wish "a ton command".  The prices are still not bad, but am feeling conflicted in that I am spending the company's money.  Roy is not around for me to consult, so I decide to proceed and perhaps we could use some of our own $$$'s if need be.  I am able to get the bed (headboard & frame), a dresser unit, with mirror, and two night tables for ~$3,000 Canadian.  Perhaps not as good a deal as the first but at least it's done.  This time, however, they do not have the items in stock so I will have to wait "up to 21 days".  Hmm, is this a Tunisian 21 days or a real 21 days?  I decide that I would offer them 100 dinars (that's their unit of money) per day additional for each day that they deliver this furniture order in advance of the 21 days.  They seem to be up for the challenge and offer that they may in fact be able to deliver the items a little sooner.  So it's now a bit of a waiting game ... it will be interesting to see if this "incentive" offer I concocted works!  The good news is that Roy has to attend some business meetings in Paris next week, so has arranged for us to stay a few additional days there ~ a little "mini-holiday" in Paris!  So, for at least for 6 of these 21 days, we will be able to sleep on a slightly more elevated mattress while we wait it out!

Furniture Arrives Tuesday, May 31, 2011

My first taste of "Tunisian" time.  The 11:00 am delivery turned out to be a 4:30 pm delivery.  I was later told that "this is good by Tunisian standards  .... at least it was on the same day as promised"!  Well it was worth the wait, as it looks great, fit into the space perfectly and most of all has made hanging out at the apartment a lot more comfortable.  Roy has headed back to Calgary today so was not able to see the furniture before he left.  He will be in for a real treat I think, once he returns.

The new Living Room

Tonight, it's off to diner to Travis & Natasha's (Travis works with Roy at Storm "AKA Chinook").  I'm looking forward to seeing their beautiful two little girls and their new place.  They were just moving in when I was last here, April 2010, and so would be much more settled now.  Their place is located in the historic area of Carthage.  It is also located very close to the former leader of this country and therefore saw some battle action during the revolution of just a few months ago.  Apparently their place was broken into and they had a few items stolen and some property damage.  So was intrigued to hear more about that ordeal.   They had waited out the revolution in Calgary so were safe, but still a very unsettling time to know that their personal belongings were vulnerable.   We had a very enjoyable, traditional Tunisian dinner and a great evening catching up.

Now back to the apartment ...as I head back to sleep (on a mattress on the floor), I am hugely motivated to get out there shopping for some bedroom furniture .... tomorrow.

First Few Days in Tunis: May 29 - 30, 2011

First Day - Sunday, May 29, 2011
We decide to go for a drive in our "new car".  Now this is a very nice car, but rather large by Tunisian standards.  Normally this would be a nice thing, but if you saw how people drive here, you quickly realize smaller and more agile is the better.  Thank goodness Roy has become fairly adept at getting around!  We spend most of the day driving and soon see that there is little evidence of the recent uprisings.  In fact, there is a great deal of construction going on.  I notice that there has been a few new road overpasses built since I was last here a year ago and the start on some brand new communities.  This is definitely a country with progress in mind.

After driving for a while, we decide to stop for gas.  Now normally this wouldn't be cause for comment, but another thing about being here is that most purchases are done with cash.  We have absolutely no "Dinars", their local currency, so we think we have gotten lucky when we found a gas station with a VISA sign.  We have them fill the car, present our VISA for payment and then learn "No, cash only".  Yikes!  The gas is in the car and no Dinars ... so this was resolved when one of the gas station attendants joined us in our car and escorted us to a bank machine.  So is this how business is done here?  Thankfully, we were able to get some local currency, pay our debt and be on our way.  Sometimes the bank machines do not always work!  So we were lucky on that account.

Second Day - Monday, May 30, 2011
Order of business is to start furniture shopping.  I've joined Roy as he heads to work, reconnect with his work colleges and then arrange to have a driver take me around to go shopping.  My driver is a young guy, same age as Jessica (25) and is a gracious as they come.  I know that if I was to tell a typical Canadian young guy that he had to drive an "ol lady" around furniture shopping for the day, there would be a whole lot of attitude.  Not so with "Aimen", I probably have not spelt his name right, but it sort of sound like amen, with an "i" in there somewhere.  He is very patient with me and not a lick of attitude!  We visit ~ 6-7 shops before I finally found a place that had a decent selection.  So I made a snap decision, ordered a sofa, loveseat, coffee table, ottoman, dining table, 6 chairs, a wall mirror and buffet table.  All for < $5,000 Canadian!  And it's rather good sturdy stuff too.   I was doubly surprised as most of the stores we went to prior to that place had similar prices but not nearly the quality.  The best part is they had all the pieces available immediately and agreed to deliver it the next day.  Oh Yeah!  We will have something to sit on!

The "New" Apartment Saturday, May 28, 2011

Our new apartment is actually a few years old, but quite new by Tunisian standards and quite modern in it's layout.  It's located in the Berge du Lac area (not far from the airport) and just a few blocks from the Mediterranean.  We have a "peak-a-boo" view of the water, but mostly look directly at another building across the street.  The apartment is completely empty save a few sundries that Roy had purchased the last time he was here.  The only two "furniture" pieces are a TV and a mattress.  Talk about feeling like it was when we were first married in our first apartment!  I am delighted with the apartment though and can see it will have good potential for decorating and can hardly wait to get started.  Roy has also arranged to have the internet hooked up.  Only problem is that I am having trouble with my Shaw.ca server.  So will have to wait to have my connection issues sorted out before I can start emailing, facebooking and blogging.

Now it's off to Tunis Saturday, May 28, 2011

Leaving France - The beginnings of the Mediterranean 

Arriving into Tunis ... The other side of the Mediterranean 

Tunis - just before landing

Now it's May 28th and we are finally on the last leg of this journey and off to Tunis.  Or perhaps more aptly put, the beginning of the next journey.  This time we left from Gatwick airport via British Airways and arrived at sunset in Tunis.  I was able to take some photos from my iphone as we arrived.   I must say it's a rather strange feeling to look out at the lands below and realize you're flying over the countryside in France, over the Mediterranean Sea (which by the way is absolutely huge), and then finally the northern part of Africa.  I'm so used to looking out plane windows to the Canadian Rockies ... it is rather surreal to see a much different vista.  We are very tired when we arrive, and by the time we have passed through customs, retrieved our luggage, it is dark.  Too dark to really see much as we head to our new home.  Roy has received a brand new, rental car for our use while we are here.  The drivers help with all our luggage and getting Roy set up with his new car.  Now off to our new apartment.

An evening at the Theatre - London Friday, May 27, 2011

 Legally Blonde "Opening" (a photo just before the play started)

Roy "enjoying" the play

So since we were staying in the theatre district, I was insistent that we take in some live theatre.  As luck would have it, we were right across the street from the play "Legally Blonde".  Now this is a show which may be more preferred by gals than guys, but Roy is usually up for anything so was able to convince him to take in this play.  I even managed to get some good seats.  This play is quite new for most of us "North Americans", but it's been out for awhile now in London ... so this faired well for us on getting some good seats.  And, of course, thoroughly enjoyed the play.  To play the "London Theatre Buff" role a little bit, I would have to say that the 2nd half is much better than the first, but even still definitely worth taking in if you get the chance.  Especially if you can arrange to see it with some girlfriends!

London Is The Best! Thursday, May 26, 2011

I simply love, Love, LOVE London!  It has the most amazing energy and vibrancy.  We are staying in central London, in the Theatre district, so it is a very busy place.  But so different from a Calgary "busy". It's like a grown-up version of a large city from Calgary's.  Even though people are rushing here & there, there seems to be a calmness about the whole thing, an overall atmosphere of patience & politeness about their rushing around.  And the shopping.  Oh my God, what shopping.  Talk about feeling like a little kid in a candy store.  I didn't really buy very much (remember, I already had 6 suitcases full of stuff), but thoroughly enjoyed being "teased" by all the shopping possibilities.  In addition, I enjoyed just wandering about the town, taking in the atmosphere.  Spent some time in the National Gallery.  There is so many paintings available for viewing, one could easily spend a few days there.  So suffice it to say that I spent a few very enjoyable hours.

Now off to London Wednesday, May 25, 2011

So now it's off to London.  The best part is traveling business class on on of those newer Air Canada flights.  The seats are designed so that each person has there own little "cubicle".  Kind a smaller version of those passenger train sleeper cubicles.  These seats are completely private from the other passengers and the best part is they can lay down completely flat for sleeping!  An absolute Godsend for us side sleepers!   This time I decided to pass on Roy's "Jet Lag" prevention plan-diet and participate fully in all that business class can offer.  So yes, had some wine, dinner and watched a movie.  I did manage to have a good sleep and when we arrived in London, managed to feel relatively rested.

Back To Calgary - for one day! Monday, May 23, 2011

So the Barbados visit soon came to end, and it was a quick return to Calgary.  Just one day!  Last minute shopping to complete, laundry to be done, and arrangements to depart Calgary to be made.  At least I had known this "time crunch" was coming so had already made a good start on these preparations.  At least our flight out of Calgary (to London) wasn't until late afternoon on the next day, so I had a full day to pack.  And pack I did ... I had filled 6 suitcases!  One smaller suitcase for the few days in London, one filled with favourite Canadian foods, one filled with some electronics to help with viewing some English language movies and of course clothes for the 3 months in Tunis.  Roy sure teased me about the number of suitcases.  He has his travel down to such a level that he simply packs along a carry-on, about the size of a briefcase.  So gave me a hard time about the difference in traveling with Janice!  I just kept telling him, he won't be so smug when he realizes that he has some familiar foods, etc available for him once we get to Tunis!

Barbados- Hot & Humid: Sunday May 22, 2011

As the week progressed in Barbados, it became very humid.  The temperature stayed about the same (+30), but with the rising humidity it felt unbelievably hot.  So received refuge in the pool at Fustic House.  No this is not an ordinary pool, but what I liked to call a "Lagoon Pool".  About the size of a small lap pool, but designed as a lagoon. It is surrounded on three sides by fern clad cliffs and running water.  The pool is kept cool from being shaded from any direct sun so it is an absolutely perfect spot to seek relief from the hot, humid weather.  The best part is whenever our "butler" saw us hanging out there, one merely needed to make a drink request, and Voila ... one's favourite drink would be produced.  Does leisure time get any better than this!?

Update to that Horseback ride ....

Somewhat disappointing as this stable was located fairly close to Bridgetown, near the centre of the island.  Although I had the opportunity to ride on my own, there was no where really to go.  Only an open area, like a pasture, surrounded by shanty style housing development.  I certainly didn't want to venture into the residential areas so stayed to the relatively small pasture. I had arranged for an 1 1/2 hr ride, but really the whole pasture could be done in about 30 minutes.  So returned after the half hour to the stable, rode a little bit in what they called "the arena", which was really a kid's playground.  I guess next time I will be a lot more careful to research before committing.  The highlight was the guide, Jamar.  He was a young fellow who had just started riding about 6 months ago.  He very obviously loved horses and was absolutely in love with the Canadian show "Heartland".  He couldn't stop talking about his favourite characters and episodes from this TV series.  I really enjoyed his enthusiasm and marvelled that this Canadian TV drama was not only seen this far from Canada, but so completely enjoyed as well.