TUNISIA

During my spring break I went on a study trip to Tunisia.  I learned about the trip my freshman year and was aware that it was one of the trips offered this semester at the Rome Center.  Not knowing when an opportunity like this would present itself and excited about all of the opportunities it offered, I immediately signed up.  The trip was a unique and eye opening experience and was a great way to spend Spring Break 2012. 

The trip lasted from March 2^nd-11^th.  We essentially saw a country.  To some that might sound like a gross exaggeration, but it’s true.  The group started in North Tunisia went south towards the Sahara and then travelled back to North Tunisia.  Our travels took us to Tunis, Sousse, El Jem, Gabes, Matmata, Douz, Tozeur, Tamerza, Sbeitla, Kairouan, and Hammamet. 

There’s literally too much to say about the trip, so I’ll just share some of the highlights:

Mint Tea- Amazing, plentiful, and usually pretty cheap, this is the best tea I’ve ever had in my life.

Meeting Tunisian students-We were able to ask them about last year’s revolution and learn about Tunisia’s educational system over lunch.  They then took us through the Medina (city) to do some shopping and bartering.

TND-Tunisian Dinar.  I love it when my money is worth more!  This RARELY happened this semester so this was a nice change.

Riding Camels-This has some disadvantages, but I had a good camel (that I named Eli).  He didn’t foam at the mouth, throw me from his back, or try to excrete waste while I was riding him.  Unfortunately, this happened to many of my classmates.  The verdict?  Ours was a successful relationship. 

The U.S. Military Cemetery-Unaware that this was even there, we had a very moving experience there and learned a lot from Jim, our chaperone who was a former WWII veteran. 

Camping in the Sahara…BEFORE IT RAINED.  After that it could be considered the WORST part of the trip. 

The Great Mosque of Kairouan-An experience unlike any I’ve ever had, as well as one that could never be replicated. 

Cave Hotel-We stayed in a hotel that was built into caves in the middle of nowhere in an area known as the Pre-Sahara.  When will I ever get to do that again?

As we travelled South we saw more and more poverty and the way of life and nothingness was truly heartbreaking.  It was also interesting and truly educational to be submersed in a culture so different from the U.S. or any European country I had been to by then, even if it was only for ten days.

 

There are more highlights and some downsides (over twenty people did get food poisoning after all…), but that’s all for now.

Until next time!

Sara