Swicorp – C’est Money !

Today marked my 2 week anniversary of being in Tunis, and the first whole week that I had been with Swicorp. Does anyone remember when you were in grammar school or maybe even high school, and dating someone for “two weeks” and it was like this “omen” that is was something serious, well more serious than 1 week or 1 night for that matter but not as huge as a month ! It’s like in the first 2 weeks you decide if this person is cool enough to date for longer than the 2 week “trial” period. Well, in an effort to extend my trial period, and keeping with the “high school” mentality, I think I’ll stay with Tunisia for awhile, and will definitely stay with Swicorp. This has to be one of the coolest and definitely interesting places to work. The work itself is 90% research, which isn’t always so exciting, BUT the people and the culture are priceless. I have the mafia godfather, cool hand luke, completely chilled out boss, who knows everyone and carries himself as if he owns Tunis ( which he might. )his name is Nabil. He has spared NO EXPENSE, when it comes to the new office and making the work environment as accommodating as it should be. I even got the, “welcome” lunch today, which is always nice, all in lieu to the “new office.” So I got to see this office today…and WOW. Just beautiful. Windows everywhere. All fine Italian furniture, brand new computers, and a good view…on both sides of the office. Not to mention, that it’s a brand new building. BUT still, that not what makes it. The rest of the cast are Hela, the ever resourceful account, Rudolph the crafty Frenchman, Hasaan the native joker and “tough guy”, Safia the bright eyed bushy tailed new hire who now shares my “office”, and last but not least are Haifa and Mehdi. These two are simply the coolest from day one that have helped me out and kept me amused and feeling welcome in the office. Mehdi ( who is local ) picks me up for work everyday on the “Route X.” So every morning we have a “cultural” talk about something and it’s just cool. This past morning I met his little sister ( who might become an SN now ; ) ), but she was driving past us with her friends on their way to campus. Mehdi happens to have his girlfriend far away from him now, so we somehow relate to each other. Sometimes being able to share something so hard, even if it just a silent acknowledgement, it helps numb the “missing.” Most of the time we spent trading slang terms in English and French, and he tells me all the time that my French is horrible, but that’s usually after I make some comment to the effect of….”umm, dude, just say it in French, I’ll figure it out easier that way.” Haha! But he’s the man, he helps me with all my issues at work and was just nominated my “mentor” , and he’s only been w/ the company for 3 weeks! So hopefully I’ll be speaking French and rockin out the investment world. Then there’s Haifa ( the sweetest person ever…and she’s Lebanese), she and I have to have at least one semi-deep conversation every day, about something, but whatever it is she will give her full attention to it. From the first day I arrived it has been enlightening to say the least. Unfortunately the first day I started was Valentine’s Day ( that’s not why it was unfortunate ), this was also the day that the ex-president of Lebanon was assassinated, which she didn’t take very well at all. Albeit it is a very awkward situation to meet someone in, it had just take place after she asked me about “why” I was a trainee and “why” I was in Aiesec, and “what” it was like for me after “9-11.” It was definitely one of the introspective times I have yet to have here. Anyhow, Mehdi and Haifa know the most about me and also ask the most questions of me. The both are interested in my culture as well as sharing theirs so the “x-change” business is in full gear. In the end, the people at Swicorp and the “whatever it takes” attitude really have me excited about the next 6 months and what I can learn in that time. Plus, we just have a cool office !! ( I’ll put pictures up later, when we move in ).

Now….time for “Did you know ?”

Well, we just had lunch, and I should be working now, so I think I'll talk about the food. ; )

When I was a kid my grandma would always make things from scratch, and I'd always ask why? And she'd always say " Because then it's mine, and its special." Well in Tunisia, "processed" or "ready-made" doesn't exist. EVERYTHING has to be fresh, well at least not processed. So I'm in the Monoprix shopping, and I see a whole aisle dedicated to tomato paste. TOMATO PASTE! No saucese to choose from, just "how thick do you want it?" This was kind of shock as I really like spaghetti sauce and I kinda suck at cooking, unless it's bar-b-que. Speaking of which, we don't have those either or at least I have it found it yet, so the 4th my suck a little, but I'm determined to grill SOMETHING on the 4th ( stay tuned for that). So anyway, you have to make your own sauce, which means adding alot of extra stuff mostly olive oil. And where there's an aisle dedicated to paste, there is one dedicated to noodles...oh yea! It's truly an amazing site, and they're both super cheap. Noodles are about 30 cents and paste is like 75 cents to a dollar. The other big thing is bread. So every night we have some variation of pasta and truck loads of sauce and bread. One things sure is that I won't have to eat much more carbs or starch when I get home! Well, on the other side the best thing about it is the fruit is awesome and I like fruit. Everyday Mehdi brings an orange, and since I stole some one time, he just gives them to me now. : ) He also gets a homemade lunch everyday, so everyday he asks me "Hey Jeff, you want some Tunisien food ?" Now...who knows me to reject free food ??? That's right ...no one. So everyday I taste homemade food too, a tous c'est bon! : ) Well, the point is all natural takes on a new meaning here, but the food is still amazing. I have to work some more now.

Good day to all you west of me ,and good evening to those in the east!

Peace out from Tunisie !