To Tunis, Tunisia

Me at Tipaza yesterday...

and Norm, me and Chuck enjoying ice cream for lunch.

Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, as we flew in from Algeria.

A city gate in Tunis with the Tunisian flag fluttering above.

St Vincent du Paul church in Tunis.

The North African American Cemetery and Memorial.

Sitting down for dinner.

Wednesday, October 14th.

Our very early morning flight eastward (7am) took us from Algeria to Tunisia, crossing invisible boundaries that have shaped North African history for centuries. Tunisia, historically known as Ifriqiya, occupies a unique position as the Mediterranean's southernmost point closest to Europe, where European, African, and Middle Eastern influences converge. We landed by 9 and met our new local guide, Makram and our driver, Isham, who will lead us through the country for the next ten days. We boarded the bus and drove to our hotel where we picked up the new member of our group, Brett from Ottawa who will be my room mate for this portion of the trip. Then we had a mini tour of the area. As we drove around he pointed out the various important and historical buildings, including a French church. Then we drove out of the city to a suburb overlooking the Mediterranean and back to the city a different route that past a large brackish water shallow lake that apparently supports thousands of flamingoes in the spring. Finally we went to an American military cemetery where three thousand US soldiers, victims of World War II are buried. They were part of the Allied invasion of Italy from Tunisia that began the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. Interestingly there were 59 crosses that were identified as Jewish soldiers. They were the first generation of Jewish immigrants to the US who wanted to serve their adopted country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Then we went to the Belvedere Hotel, our home for the next three nights. Tunis, the capital houses one-sixth of the nation's population within the Gulf of Tunis. Founded by Berber tribes but shaped successively by Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans, and French, the city embodies North Africa's layered history. Modern office towers and European-style cafés share space with the dynamic souks of the ancient Medina. The French colonial legacy remains visible in the elegant Ville Nouvelle district, but it's the Medina, one of the Arab world's most vibrant that captures Tunisia's essential character. So, we walked through as a group and found our way out into the newer section and had lunch there. Then we checked into our hotel and spent the evening there.