Spring fever...is priceless
Friday, February 25, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
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 !
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 !
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
"Me" Time
I’ve grown up in a big city, I have a huge family, I went to a big school, and I have a natural affinity towards “hanging out with people.” But somehow I’ve always been alone in my life. As I’ve started to grow, I’ve started to appreciate being alone, ever so much more. I can learn how to deal with myself; I can learn how to think on my own; and I get to say and do whatever I want. ; ) I’ve since found that the most attractive part to the big cities I love…is their ability to offer some way to escape the madness. So, here I am in this huge metropolis of foreignness, and there are people everywhere, all the time, like always , and now I spend my evenings figuring out how to “get away , but not go anywhere at all.” A wise person, once upon a time, showed me what it was like to live “today” and at the same time, look at the same thing you see everyday, as if it’s the first time you’ve seen it. In fact at the time, this person was staring at the sun. At first I was like…”dude, it’s just the sun” and the person was like “I know, isn’t it beautiful.” At that point I think I found something, something that was hidden in me since I was a quarter of my current age. I felt, at the ripe old age of 22, like I was old, and not as “fun” I once was. I think through that time, and numerous times hence, I have started to find my “wow”. I’m from Chicago, IL ( which you can read in the upper right corner I’m sure ), I’ve spent 24 years of my life in Chicago, and only appreciated it , 6 months ago. This world is amazing, I literally thank God everyday I can wake up and experience another one, and just …”wow.” Life is great, and it’s horrible. Life is running by at the speed of light, and moving slower than molasses. What are doing with the precious time we have here? Where are we going? Who are we meeting? And can we recover from the costs of a love had, wanted, or lost? Can we remember what it’s like to be a kid, and still be a responsible adult. Are we actually using all the senses that we have been given to experience life? |
Monday, February 21, 2005
Real World ... Tunis !
So I went to this party last night by a friend of a friends, and I met this girl her name is Hela. We started talked and things were nice, and towards the end of the night she whispered in my ear and next thing I know we were....HA! : 0 ! Bet you weren't expecting that one! : ) Come on folks, this is what I would be writing if I was really on MTV....
but in "The adventures of Jeffery Davis" the story goes like this....
So I was hanging out with my computer at the Publinet with my roomate Brian, and I had to restart my computer for some maintenance reasons. Once I restart it, it gives me an "Error Message" saying that something in my computer has failed. So I'm like "MERDE!" ( french word for " I'm not happy with this 'thing' ". Actually this message has been showing up for sometime now and I've asked numerous people about it. In fact two of my roomates are computer guys; Brian is a programmer, and Serge is an engineer. So I figured between the both of them I'd be able to figure out the problem. Finally we go back home and Brian looks at the computer more in depth ( last night). So for the next like 2 hours he's working on it. He comes in the bedroom , where me and Serge were discussing "french lessons" , and he joins in the conversation. For awhile I forget he had been working on it...until I get ready for bed.
( my bed which actually happens to be two couches juxtoposed at the horizotal sides. )
So I go over to my computer and I say, "Hey Brian, so what'd you find out about this computer?" And he says..."Oh yea...you're screwed. "
"MERDE ! !" ( it was great )
He goes on to tell me that my hard drive is failing and it's getting worse everyday, and I could lose everything at a moments notice.
Naturally, I'm excited. I have two projects from work that I need to finish on my laptop and now it's dangerous to use. Two week vacation from "la-la" land is over, welcome back to reality, so excited. I now have to find somewhere to back up my data and figure how to get a new hard drive.
For those that don't know, I recently was given the gift of a new laptop. My previous one ( a Godsend ), got me through college AND Aiesec, and with only 4 Gig of Hard drive space. ; ) Amazing I know. My new one has a 30 G drive, great processor, dvd rom, cd RW drive, and lots of good things to play with...I love it ( also a Godsend, as well as the person who gave it to me...thank you Melissa.)
So naturally hearing this news is pretty depressing, it's like finding out your newborn child only has a few weeks to live. Well, maybe not just like that, maybe like a dog...yea, it's more like a dog, and adopted dog to be exact. ANYWAY, the point is FAIT CHIER ! ( THIS SUCKS ! ).
So here I am at work , typing away, awaiting my next assignment, trying to spend my last great momemts with my computer as it was in it's most pure and innocent form. It's only be 2 months, but it was the greatest times ever. : ( Of course, I will get a new hard drive, but it will never be the same, ya know?
Anyhow, so that's what going on. You gotta love technology....they love you one minute and they leave you the next...isn't that life anyway ?
In the end though, me and Brian, our new favorite "internet" hot spot, they play American and Arabic music and the connection's not so bad either. Morale of the story...get attached, but learn to let go. ( let me know when you figure that one out too, cuz this still sucks. )
Well, on that note I've made a decision.
In respect and rememberance of my other beloved past time...."Sportscenter." I will now do a daily ( or mostly daily ) "did you know" cultural segment on Tunisian culture. HAHA, it's funny to me already. : )
So without further adieu....
" Did you know? " - Tunisian Internet connection
Have you ever been addicted to something, or even someone, and then you had to drop the habit or leave that person behind for awhile, or maybe for good ? Did you get withdrawls ? Did you ever just have the feeling ...."What the heck am I doing? Why am I stupid? I know I love this "thing/person" I don't I just do it again or go back to him/her ? " Alas, C'est la vie ! It is part of life, an unfortunate part that I seem to be becoming more and more famliar with with each given day. Anyway,
Well, you're not alone.
I have been "jacked in" for so long now that I don't know what it means to be "offline." I had the luxury of beeing hooked up to a T1 or faster since I started college, and internet was the next coolest thing. And now....I hope to have a 125 k DSL connection...shared by anywhere from 7-20 people. The term "slow" just doesn't come close to comparing the situation. Tunisia is definitely a "developing" country in terms of technology. Businesses are starting to invest a little more, and the ones that are here, are scrapping to find the best stuff they can as soon as it's available. Some how it works. Afterall we didn't have internet all of our lives, so people still get what they have to get done, so I will too.
Have you ever stopped to think about how the small "issues" seem to resonate with the larger ones in life ? If you haven't , I suggest you take a few minutes off of "blogging" tonight and check it out, you may find all your issues have a "common theme."
Peace and Love from the MENA.
but in "The adventures of Jeffery Davis" the story goes like this....
So I was hanging out with my computer at the Publinet with my roomate Brian, and I had to restart my computer for some maintenance reasons. Once I restart it, it gives me an "Error Message" saying that something in my computer has failed. So I'm like "MERDE!" ( french word for " I'm not happy with this 'thing' ". Actually this message has been showing up for sometime now and I've asked numerous people about it. In fact two of my roomates are computer guys; Brian is a programmer, and Serge is an engineer. So I figured between the both of them I'd be able to figure out the problem. Finally we go back home and Brian looks at the computer more in depth ( last night). So for the next like 2 hours he's working on it. He comes in the bedroom , where me and Serge were discussing "french lessons" , and he joins in the conversation. For awhile I forget he had been working on it...until I get ready for bed.
( my bed which actually happens to be two couches juxtoposed at the horizotal sides. )
So I go over to my computer and I say, "Hey Brian, so what'd you find out about this computer?" And he says..."Oh yea...you're screwed. "
"MERDE ! !" ( it was great )
He goes on to tell me that my hard drive is failing and it's getting worse everyday, and I could lose everything at a moments notice.
Naturally, I'm excited. I have two projects from work that I need to finish on my laptop and now it's dangerous to use. Two week vacation from "la-la" land is over, welcome back to reality, so excited. I now have to find somewhere to back up my data and figure how to get a new hard drive.
For those that don't know, I recently was given the gift of a new laptop. My previous one ( a Godsend ), got me through college AND Aiesec, and with only 4 Gig of Hard drive space. ; ) Amazing I know. My new one has a 30 G drive, great processor, dvd rom, cd RW drive, and lots of good things to play with...I love it ( also a Godsend, as well as the person who gave it to me...thank you Melissa.)
So naturally hearing this news is pretty depressing, it's like finding out your newborn child only has a few weeks to live. Well, maybe not just like that, maybe like a dog...yea, it's more like a dog, and adopted dog to be exact. ANYWAY, the point is FAIT CHIER ! ( THIS SUCKS ! ).
So here I am at work , typing away, awaiting my next assignment, trying to spend my last great momemts with my computer as it was in it's most pure and innocent form. It's only be 2 months, but it was the greatest times ever. : ( Of course, I will get a new hard drive, but it will never be the same, ya know?
Anyhow, so that's what going on. You gotta love technology....they love you one minute and they leave you the next...isn't that life anyway ?
In the end though, me and Brian, our new favorite "internet" hot spot, they play American and Arabic music and the connection's not so bad either. Morale of the story...get attached, but learn to let go. ( let me know when you figure that one out too, cuz this still sucks. )
Well, on that note I've made a decision.
In respect and rememberance of my other beloved past time...."Sportscenter." I will now do a daily ( or mostly daily ) "did you know" cultural segment on Tunisian culture. HAHA, it's funny to me already. : )
So without further adieu....
" Did you know? " - Tunisian Internet connection
Have you ever been addicted to something, or even someone, and then you had to drop the habit or leave that person behind for awhile, or maybe for good ? Did you get withdrawls ? Did you ever just have the feeling ...."What the heck am I doing? Why am I stupid? I know I love this "thing/person" I don't I just do it again or go back to him/her ? " Alas, C'est la vie ! It is part of life, an unfortunate part that I seem to be becoming more and more famliar with with each given day. Anyway,
Well, you're not alone.
I have been "jacked in" for so long now that I don't know what it means to be "offline." I had the luxury of beeing hooked up to a T1 or faster since I started college, and internet was the next coolest thing. And now....I hope to have a 125 k DSL connection...shared by anywhere from 7-20 people. The term "slow" just doesn't come close to comparing the situation. Tunisia is definitely a "developing" country in terms of technology. Businesses are starting to invest a little more, and the ones that are here, are scrapping to find the best stuff they can as soon as it's available. Some how it works. Afterall we didn't have internet all of our lives, so people still get what they have to get done, so I will too.
Have you ever stopped to think about how the small "issues" seem to resonate with the larger ones in life ? If you haven't , I suggest you take a few minutes off of "blogging" tonight and check it out, you may find all your issues have a "common theme."
Peace and Love from the MENA.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Culture Exchanged vers. 1 - THE METRO
Metro:
So today I spent some time with my Roomates that work at AmidEast ( Brian and Mariska ) since I got a free day from work, and after work we took the Metro home, which is normal. We waited and waited, and finally the Metro came…much to our chagrin. The Metro is TOTALLY packed and there are people falling out as the door opens. So we look at each other like…”Oh Crap ! Are we really gonna fit in this thing? “ Well, Brian is a smaller guy…about 5’6” 140 lbs, so he slipped right in. Mariska is like 5’2” , so she just snuck under everyone. Also they work at AmidEast which is only like a 15 min Metro ride from our apartment.
--- Well, I work on the other side of the Earth and I usually have to cross an expressway and run through some mud and trees on my way to work ( yes, I really actually have to cross a 6 lane, super busy, Tunisian highway…I, along with other pedestrians, risk their lives every morning…it’s kinda fun ! ). So because of my adventures in the morning I have to carry an extra set of shoes with me, as well as my lunch in addition to wearing my laptop on my back.
So here I am at the metro and I’m holding my junk and I’m like….”Greeeaaatt.” I just figure I’ll bulldoze my way onto the tram and call it a day, well my first attempt was thwarted in convincing fashion as Mari couldn’t fit like we thought she should, so I bounced off of her and fell back in the street. So then I try again , and grab onto the handrail, problem is my backpack is still on my back ! And now the freaking doors are closing ! So I’m being eaten alive by the Metro doors and I decide to fight back. So I’m fighting, and the door gives way, but I still am not in. Mari is pulling on my coat to squeeze me in and the door closes again, and smashes my bag, except this time one of the locals gave a kind hand and pulled and the bag out of harms way.
WHEW! I finally made it….so I thought.
When we arrived at the next stop, I now had to get back off the Metro so others could get out, except when the door was opening it folded right onto my shoe ! So now my foot’s stuck and people are pushing me off the train. It was great. In the end I kept my shoe and I learned that …in Tunisia…”where there’s a will , there’s a way” takes on a WHOLE new meaning.
C’est tres bon! Bonne Journee a tous !
So today I spent some time with my Roomates that work at AmidEast ( Brian and Mariska ) since I got a free day from work, and after work we took the Metro home, which is normal. We waited and waited, and finally the Metro came…much to our chagrin. The Metro is TOTALLY packed and there are people falling out as the door opens. So we look at each other like…”Oh Crap ! Are we really gonna fit in this thing? “ Well, Brian is a smaller guy…about 5’6” 140 lbs, so he slipped right in. Mariska is like 5’2” , so she just snuck under everyone. Also they work at AmidEast which is only like a 15 min Metro ride from our apartment.
--- Well, I work on the other side of the Earth and I usually have to cross an expressway and run through some mud and trees on my way to work ( yes, I really actually have to cross a 6 lane, super busy, Tunisian highway…I, along with other pedestrians, risk their lives every morning…it’s kinda fun ! ). So because of my adventures in the morning I have to carry an extra set of shoes with me, as well as my lunch in addition to wearing my laptop on my back.
So here I am at the metro and I’m holding my junk and I’m like….”Greeeaaatt.” I just figure I’ll bulldoze my way onto the tram and call it a day, well my first attempt was thwarted in convincing fashion as Mari couldn’t fit like we thought she should, so I bounced off of her and fell back in the street. So then I try again , and grab onto the handrail, problem is my backpack is still on my back ! And now the freaking doors are closing ! So I’m being eaten alive by the Metro doors and I decide to fight back. So I’m fighting, and the door gives way, but I still am not in. Mari is pulling on my coat to squeeze me in and the door closes again, and smashes my bag, except this time one of the locals gave a kind hand and pulled and the bag out of harms way.
WHEW! I finally made it….so I thought.
When we arrived at the next stop, I now had to get back off the Metro so others could get out, except when the door was opening it folded right onto my shoe ! So now my foot’s stuck and people are pushing me off the train. It was great. In the end I kept my shoe and I learned that …in Tunisia…”where there’s a will , there’s a way” takes on a WHOLE new meaning.
C’est tres bon! Bonne Journee a tous !
Friday, February 18, 2005
Day 1 : Part Deux et More !
So after discovering wireless internet in Milan : ) I hoped on this bus to take me to my plane. The bus was totally crowded, businessmen, old ladies, and a couple tourists. Fortunately because of my trip to the bahamas, It wasn't the first time i had to actually walk onto the runway to board my plane, but it was still an experience. As soon as I got off the bus, the guy approached me and said something in arabic I believe, and handed my his camera phone. So I was like sure...when do you want me to take it? So soon figured out I should just take it when the time was right. So he as he's walking up the ladder to get onto the plane, he turns around and sticks his arms out ....and that's the shot I got. ; ) It was a fitting lesson in "cross-cultural" communication that I would need many times over while in Tunis. So then I finally get to the ladder, and low and behold I run into an American. In fact I run into a trainee going to Tunis, so just happens to be my roomate, it was funny. Her name is Mariska, and she's from Michigan and went to some university in Ann Arbor, which will remain nameless. Anyhow, so she's been abroad before but never like this and she doesn't have any experience wiht Aiesec. I explained to her how it USUALLY works, but to prepare for the worst so anything above that would be perfect. : ) Ha ha ! So then the stewardess hands us our entry cards to fill out, no problem, except they're all in FRENCH AND ARABIC ! Well, I just started studying french, and she had taken some arabic classes, but this was a bit advanced. So we gave it the old college try and just filled out whatever looked good. And....VOILA ! They let us through customs ! C'est MONEY ! It was great.
So then we're leaving the terminal and much to my relief, the Aiesecers here came through ! There was Semi, Wassim, and Lotfi ( all males ) , all with signs waving waiting for us. First thing we do...get some tea and they smoke...which is more than an ongoing theme, it's a way of life. At this point the language barrier kicked into full gear, Lotfi and Semi speak moderate english and Wassim's is a little better than basic, and me and Mariska don't know too much french. So it was amazing way to start off the adventure. Nevertheless, these guys are amazing and I respect them and the work they do ( obviously ) but they are just good people and they know how to have fun. After the airport we went immediately to Menzah 5, which is a neighborhood in Tunis, and it's where our apartment is located. The apartment is definitely an experience. In comes one of my new roomates Beata. Beata is from Poland, and she speaks french very well, but in any language you can tell she was not happy when we showed up. Not because we were there, but because apparently the refrigerator had just blew up, the hot water heater was fried, and the furnace was completely trashed. On top of that the place wasn't exactly "spic and span" , which is what the Aiesecer's had thought it was before entering the apartment. So drama ensues, all in french, and the guys are trying to calm Beata down and apologize to us at the same time, it was kinda funny. I cooly and calmly explained to them that..."Hey, I'm an Aiesecer as well....I understand. Let's just get this place fixed up. " Which they did. In the next day members from Lotfi's LC came and cleaned the apartment and fixed the water heater ( the other two are dead completely, so yea we have no heat and its like 35 degrees F and windy here...but that's for later ). Anyhow the apartment was starting to come around, but there were still some awful spots that we need to REALLY clean, and we did, so it's all good now. So I have 4 roomates, Beata, Mariska, Brian, and Serge. Beata is Polish and Serge is Camaroonean. Brian and Mari are Americans....so yea. But it works out, Serge only speaks French, and Beata loves to cook. So we all eat like kings and are learning French. For the first week it was basically Lotfi ( our trainee manager ) and Wassim taking me and Mari around town and showing us what's cool, taking us to all the cool (local ) places to eat. To this point we've been to Sidi Bu Said, Carthage, Habib Bourgiba, The Souk ( the local market ), La Marsa, and Tunis ( of course). Sidi Bu Said is probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's a town in the foothills of the mountains that overlooks Tunis and the Mediterrean Sea. You know you are there , or close by when you run into the houses that are blue and white. So beautiful, when I get pictures, check them out, you'll see us there.
Carthage.....whew ! Just imagine visiting ruins from 2-3,000 years old....oh, and they are also scattered throughout this mountain side town overlooked Tunis with a guardians eye and a lover's care. Absolutely breathtaking ! You just have to see the pictures they will help take the words out of your mouth, as they did mine.
Habib Bourgiba - is the Tunis equivalent to Michigan Ave, 5th avenue, Rodeo Dr, Peachtree St, and Champs Elysses. It's very nice and has some cool restaurants and bars and huge clock, and a Christian Church ! ( bet ya didn't think I'd say that ! ) Anyway, it's cool and the Huge clock is the "Big Ben" of Tunis, pretty cool.
The Souk, can be found right off of the Bourgiba, its just a crazy little market with cats running around everywhere ( which is VERY common...US has pidgeons everyone and a few dogs...Tunis has cats...I think they eat the birds ), any way the Souk is cool. We can here on our first day we ( Me, Mari, and Lotfi ) shared some Sheesha, and tea and had a typical tunisian lunch ( couscous, tangine, and artichokes ) and it was amazing. The food is, by the way, is awesome ! It's just like being at home. Lots of starches, fatty meat, oil, and bread...and for pretty cheap ! Chawarma sandwiches are God's gift to the earth ! I also learned that if you EVER want to make something "Tunisian", just take some spaghettii sauce, olive oil, peppers, onions, eggs and/or pasta, and add some meat if you want...and VOILA ! Tunisian !! They mix anything and everything, which works out great because putting fries on your sandwich here is PERFECTLY NORMAL, so I fit right in ! HAHAHA!
Next is La Marsa, well La Marsa, Carthage, and Sidi Bu Said are all in the same area, and they are all money. La Marsa is basically the place were all the rich people live, and there is good ice cream and a mall there. It is pretty far ( like 40 mins on a train ) from Tunis and I have to travel there everyday for work which is actually in Gammarth ( not too far away from La Marsa ).
All in All, things are well here. My roomates are totally cool, and we all watch movies together, we've cleaned, we cooked, we've even...danced...just because we could. We've gone shopping and done all that roomate bonding stuff. The Aiesecer's here are very nice. The weekly meetings here are something. They're actually not really meetings, there just a time for everyone to sociallize and drink tea, or beer, or coffee and smoke like there's no tomorrow. Of all the things Tunis has to offer, I definitely don't like the smoking culture, its just oppressing...so once again in my life I am in the minority, so I have to deal.
Actually just last night it was Lotfi's birthday. So me, wassim, and the other trainees organized a surprise party for him. He has been running around lately like a mad man and completely missed his first week of school ! For us. So Wassim was the spy for the day and made sure he was near Lotfi at all times, so he and I would text message back and forth to obtain the whereabouts of the Lotfi chracter. Then I called him, and told him " Dude ! I just got home, and turned on a switch and all the electricity in the house is OUT ! What else can go wrong here ! My roomates are all gone and I'm exhausted ! I need you to come help me figure out how to change the fuses or something cuz I have NO IDEA what to do in this apartment ! Please come right away ! " Well, he was waaay across town, so he stopped his work for the MC here, jumped in a cab w/ Wassim, and came right over.
The look on his face was priceless. He had this HUGE gaping look of utter shock and awe at the 30+ Aiesecers that were there ! We had music ( he likes house music so we listened to that ), we had Ice cream cake ( it was awesome ), and we had tons of pop...oh and a few bottles of Tunisian wine. Wassim told him...."This wasn't our idea, it was all theirs" and he's like " I know man! I know my children ! This are my kids ! " ( he calls us his children, he feeds us when we're hungry, pays for cab rides, gives us drink when we're thirsty, and even bought us new sheets and pillows for the apartment...so yea he's awesome) Anyway, it was a great time had by all and we still were in bed by 11 pm, so that was the best thing.
As for today, we went to the American Embassy and registered ourselves as foreigners and shared a nostagla for the US, but only for a couple minutes. NOW, Je faim ! ( I'm hungry ), so I will go.
All is good here in Tunis, Good day to those of you west of me, and good night to those in the far east.
Peace and Love.
So then we're leaving the terminal and much to my relief, the Aiesecers here came through ! There was Semi, Wassim, and Lotfi ( all males ) , all with signs waving waiting for us. First thing we do...get some tea and they smoke...which is more than an ongoing theme, it's a way of life. At this point the language barrier kicked into full gear, Lotfi and Semi speak moderate english and Wassim's is a little better than basic, and me and Mariska don't know too much french. So it was amazing way to start off the adventure. Nevertheless, these guys are amazing and I respect them and the work they do ( obviously ) but they are just good people and they know how to have fun. After the airport we went immediately to Menzah 5, which is a neighborhood in Tunis, and it's where our apartment is located. The apartment is definitely an experience. In comes one of my new roomates Beata. Beata is from Poland, and she speaks french very well, but in any language you can tell she was not happy when we showed up. Not because we were there, but because apparently the refrigerator had just blew up, the hot water heater was fried, and the furnace was completely trashed. On top of that the place wasn't exactly "spic and span" , which is what the Aiesecer's had thought it was before entering the apartment. So drama ensues, all in french, and the guys are trying to calm Beata down and apologize to us at the same time, it was kinda funny. I cooly and calmly explained to them that..."Hey, I'm an Aiesecer as well....I understand. Let's just get this place fixed up. " Which they did. In the next day members from Lotfi's LC came and cleaned the apartment and fixed the water heater ( the other two are dead completely, so yea we have no heat and its like 35 degrees F and windy here...but that's for later ). Anyhow the apartment was starting to come around, but there were still some awful spots that we need to REALLY clean, and we did, so it's all good now. So I have 4 roomates, Beata, Mariska, Brian, and Serge. Beata is Polish and Serge is Camaroonean. Brian and Mari are Americans....so yea. But it works out, Serge only speaks French, and Beata loves to cook. So we all eat like kings and are learning French. For the first week it was basically Lotfi ( our trainee manager ) and Wassim taking me and Mari around town and showing us what's cool, taking us to all the cool (local ) places to eat. To this point we've been to Sidi Bu Said, Carthage, Habib Bourgiba, The Souk ( the local market ), La Marsa, and Tunis ( of course). Sidi Bu Said is probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's a town in the foothills of the mountains that overlooks Tunis and the Mediterrean Sea. You know you are there , or close by when you run into the houses that are blue and white. So beautiful, when I get pictures, check them out, you'll see us there.
Carthage.....whew ! Just imagine visiting ruins from 2-3,000 years old....oh, and they are also scattered throughout this mountain side town overlooked Tunis with a guardians eye and a lover's care. Absolutely breathtaking ! You just have to see the pictures they will help take the words out of your mouth, as they did mine.
Habib Bourgiba - is the Tunis equivalent to Michigan Ave, 5th avenue, Rodeo Dr, Peachtree St, and Champs Elysses. It's very nice and has some cool restaurants and bars and huge clock, and a Christian Church ! ( bet ya didn't think I'd say that ! ) Anyway, it's cool and the Huge clock is the "Big Ben" of Tunis, pretty cool.
The Souk, can be found right off of the Bourgiba, its just a crazy little market with cats running around everywhere ( which is VERY common...US has pidgeons everyone and a few dogs...Tunis has cats...I think they eat the birds ), any way the Souk is cool. We can here on our first day we ( Me, Mari, and Lotfi ) shared some Sheesha, and tea and had a typical tunisian lunch ( couscous, tangine, and artichokes ) and it was amazing. The food is, by the way, is awesome ! It's just like being at home. Lots of starches, fatty meat, oil, and bread...and for pretty cheap ! Chawarma sandwiches are God's gift to the earth ! I also learned that if you EVER want to make something "Tunisian", just take some spaghettii sauce, olive oil, peppers, onions, eggs and/or pasta, and add some meat if you want...and VOILA ! Tunisian !! They mix anything and everything, which works out great because putting fries on your sandwich here is PERFECTLY NORMAL, so I fit right in ! HAHAHA!
Next is La Marsa, well La Marsa, Carthage, and Sidi Bu Said are all in the same area, and they are all money. La Marsa is basically the place were all the rich people live, and there is good ice cream and a mall there. It is pretty far ( like 40 mins on a train ) from Tunis and I have to travel there everyday for work which is actually in Gammarth ( not too far away from La Marsa ).
All in All, things are well here. My roomates are totally cool, and we all watch movies together, we've cleaned, we cooked, we've even...danced...just because we could. We've gone shopping and done all that roomate bonding stuff. The Aiesecer's here are very nice. The weekly meetings here are something. They're actually not really meetings, there just a time for everyone to sociallize and drink tea, or beer, or coffee and smoke like there's no tomorrow. Of all the things Tunis has to offer, I definitely don't like the smoking culture, its just oppressing...so once again in my life I am in the minority, so I have to deal.
Actually just last night it was Lotfi's birthday. So me, wassim, and the other trainees organized a surprise party for him. He has been running around lately like a mad man and completely missed his first week of school ! For us. So Wassim was the spy for the day and made sure he was near Lotfi at all times, so he and I would text message back and forth to obtain the whereabouts of the Lotfi chracter. Then I called him, and told him " Dude ! I just got home, and turned on a switch and all the electricity in the house is OUT ! What else can go wrong here ! My roomates are all gone and I'm exhausted ! I need you to come help me figure out how to change the fuses or something cuz I have NO IDEA what to do in this apartment ! Please come right away ! " Well, he was waaay across town, so he stopped his work for the MC here, jumped in a cab w/ Wassim, and came right over.
The look on his face was priceless. He had this HUGE gaping look of utter shock and awe at the 30+ Aiesecers that were there ! We had music ( he likes house music so we listened to that ), we had Ice cream cake ( it was awesome ), and we had tons of pop...oh and a few bottles of Tunisian wine. Wassim told him...."This wasn't our idea, it was all theirs" and he's like " I know man! I know my children ! This are my kids ! " ( he calls us his children, he feeds us when we're hungry, pays for cab rides, gives us drink when we're thirsty, and even bought us new sheets and pillows for the apartment...so yea he's awesome) Anyway, it was a great time had by all and we still were in bed by 11 pm, so that was the best thing.
As for today, we went to the American Embassy and registered ourselves as foreigners and shared a nostagla for the US, but only for a couple minutes. NOW, Je faim ! ( I'm hungry ), so I will go.
All is good here in Tunis, Good day to those of you west of me, and good night to those in the far east.
Peace and Love.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
A Tous est Bon ! ( It's all good ! )
Ok, I know I haven't updated my blog in awhile, approx 1 week, and for that I apologize, but the truth of matter is that I am totally cool and Tunisia is awesome. I have TONS of stories already, and I have been here for only 1 week, but do to the slowness of the Publinets ( POOB-lee-net ), I was hindered in my internet access, so I wanted to get a faster connection for free...ie going to work. The problem is just that, I am at work. From the first day ( this past Monday ) it has been pretty non-stop craziness, be it riding public transportation for 2 hours, running in a suit in the pouring rain, switching offices everyday ( I think I get the closet tomorrow ) , or just ....working, I haven't been able to update you on the happs here. But, we are moving offices at the end of this week ( hopefully ) and I will have a even faster connection, my REAL own desk, and a better idea of how to update the world on Tunis, Tunisia from the eyes of moi ! So, I have prewritten some things and I will break down, every day until everyone is caught - up on the Adventures of Superman ! : )
Now for a quick overview....
1) How is Tunis ? - It is amazing ! Tons of Arabic and French. The food is totally $$ , and Aiesecer's are really cool people and love to talk ( which is good for me) ; ) . The city has some ofo the most amazing views you can ever see, and I happen to work in the most beautiful area! Everyday I pass mountains, the bay, and the Med Sea...oh and I work on top of a mountain that overlooks the coast of Tunis....absolutely breathtaking ( I'll show you when I figure out how to put some pics on this thing....DODY...where are you ? ). And the food....well simply put it's tres bon !
2) How is the Weather? - Well, it kinda sucks actually. I have been here for like 8 days now and it has rained like 7 of them. Sometimes it's only for a little bit, but most times it pours ! OH, and for those that this it's hot...well, it's not. It's been between 2 and 10 degrees celsius, which is between 30 - 50 degrees farenhiet, I'd say we average about 37 degrees = not warm.
3) How is living ? - Living is cool...literally...its pretty freaking cold. We don't actually have a working furnance in my apartment right now, and the hot water was on the frits for awhile ( in fact you still can't leave the water running for longer than 3 mins at time...including in the shower!) . But it's cool, I like my roomates they are very nice and there are 4 of them. 2 ladies ( one American and one Polish ) and 2 guys ( one American , one Camaroonean )...the non-americans speak french very well and keep the rest of us "learning" all the time. We have bonded very much already , but I guess I'll leave you something to comeback and read. OH, and I live in the area known as Menzah 5 ...if you want to look it up.
4) Have a seen anything cool ? - Without a doubt yes. Tunis is a very old city and have tons of history and a unique blend of culture. Quickly I've been to Carthage, Sidi Bu Said, La Marsa, Gammarth, The street market ( the Sauk ), Du Lac ( yea, like in Shrek, pretty cool huh? ), and we may be going to Hammamet this upcoming weekend. But, ironically the best times I've spent have been with my roomates and Aiesecers...watching movies, eating, drinking tea, and bowling ( yes bowling, I'll explain later ). Somethings are just cool no matter where you are. ; )
Well, I could write for the next 2 days on this thing and tell you every waking second of my life, but I'll spare you for now. At this point you can read about my departure/ first day and I'll holla back later ( I have to finish this project before my boss gets back).
A tous Au Revoir !
Day 1: Leaving on a Jet Plane
And so my journey was started at O’hare Airport. So not 5 minutes into the airport, I walk up to the ticket counter and hand over my papers and stuff, to which the first lady was receptive. She then goes into to the back room and another lady comes out, only to tell me that I need a visa to get into Tunisia. Well, at this point most people would have probably gone off on this lady, which I was pretty close to doing myself, but do to my countless experiences with government employees and stupid people, and the fact that I ACTUALLY KNEW what I was talking about, I told that it is impossible to get the apportiate visa because it can not be acquired until one enters Tunisia. She stared at me, looked back her computer, and turned away. I had NOT planned all this time for some stupid lady to read a computer screen and tell me what she “THOUGHT” she knew ! Needless to say I got my tickets. My mom was kind enough to drop me off and send me away with great hugs and kisses, fortunately she didn’t start crying, so I didn’t start crying thus making it through security was much easier. So before leaving I was showered with gifts ( thank you all, you know whom you are ), and overwhelmingly I received books. I received books to learn how to speak French, books about Islam, and books on traveling; all of which are very useful and amazing, but this day I could not calm myself long enough to read them. I said my final “see you laters” and made the necessary final calls on my cell phone as a Sprint customer ( thank you God ! I detest Sprint ! If you have Sprint as a provider…GET RID OF THEM NOW !! …anyway ) , my parents, Missy, and some NU @’ers called me just in time. So there I was on the plane awaiting some uncertain future with these extremely inhospitable Italian stewardesses, and all I could do was envision various scenes happening at the airport, the most frequent being that no one would be at the airport to pick me up, and that I would not know how to get my way through the airport in Milan to catch my flight to Tunis. I get to Milan and figure things out pretty well, but I was in awe at how quick and easy it was to go through security. You don’t have to pull you’re computer out. You don’t have to empty all your belongs and give a drop a blood before going through security. It was tres cool ! And then…I got to Tunis.
Now for a quick overview....
1) How is Tunis ? - It is amazing ! Tons of Arabic and French. The food is totally $$ , and Aiesecer's are really cool people and love to talk ( which is good for me) ; ) . The city has some ofo the most amazing views you can ever see, and I happen to work in the most beautiful area! Everyday I pass mountains, the bay, and the Med Sea...oh and I work on top of a mountain that overlooks the coast of Tunis....absolutely breathtaking ( I'll show you when I figure out how to put some pics on this thing....DODY...where are you ? ). And the food....well simply put it's tres bon !
2) How is the Weather? - Well, it kinda sucks actually. I have been here for like 8 days now and it has rained like 7 of them. Sometimes it's only for a little bit, but most times it pours ! OH, and for those that this it's hot...well, it's not. It's been between 2 and 10 degrees celsius, which is between 30 - 50 degrees farenhiet, I'd say we average about 37 degrees = not warm.
3) How is living ? - Living is cool...literally...its pretty freaking cold. We don't actually have a working furnance in my apartment right now, and the hot water was on the frits for awhile ( in fact you still can't leave the water running for longer than 3 mins at time...including in the shower!) . But it's cool, I like my roomates they are very nice and there are 4 of them. 2 ladies ( one American and one Polish ) and 2 guys ( one American , one Camaroonean )...the non-americans speak french very well and keep the rest of us "learning" all the time. We have bonded very much already , but I guess I'll leave you something to comeback and read. OH, and I live in the area known as Menzah 5 ...if you want to look it up.
4) Have a seen anything cool ? - Without a doubt yes. Tunis is a very old city and have tons of history and a unique blend of culture. Quickly I've been to Carthage, Sidi Bu Said, La Marsa, Gammarth, The street market ( the Sauk ), Du Lac ( yea, like in Shrek, pretty cool huh? ), and we may be going to Hammamet this upcoming weekend. But, ironically the best times I've spent have been with my roomates and Aiesecers...watching movies, eating, drinking tea, and bowling ( yes bowling, I'll explain later ). Somethings are just cool no matter where you are. ; )
Well, I could write for the next 2 days on this thing and tell you every waking second of my life, but I'll spare you for now. At this point you can read about my departure/ first day and I'll holla back later ( I have to finish this project before my boss gets back).
A tous Au Revoir !
Day 1: Leaving on a Jet Plane
And so my journey was started at O’hare Airport. So not 5 minutes into the airport, I walk up to the ticket counter and hand over my papers and stuff, to which the first lady was receptive. She then goes into to the back room and another lady comes out, only to tell me that I need a visa to get into Tunisia. Well, at this point most people would have probably gone off on this lady, which I was pretty close to doing myself, but do to my countless experiences with government employees and stupid people, and the fact that I ACTUALLY KNEW what I was talking about, I told that it is impossible to get the apportiate visa because it can not be acquired until one enters Tunisia. She stared at me, looked back her computer, and turned away. I had NOT planned all this time for some stupid lady to read a computer screen and tell me what she “THOUGHT” she knew ! Needless to say I got my tickets. My mom was kind enough to drop me off and send me away with great hugs and kisses, fortunately she didn’t start crying, so I didn’t start crying thus making it through security was much easier. So before leaving I was showered with gifts ( thank you all, you know whom you are ), and overwhelmingly I received books. I received books to learn how to speak French, books about Islam, and books on traveling; all of which are very useful and amazing, but this day I could not calm myself long enough to read them. I said my final “see you laters” and made the necessary final calls on my cell phone as a Sprint customer ( thank you God ! I detest Sprint ! If you have Sprint as a provider…GET RID OF THEM NOW !! …anyway ) , my parents, Missy, and some NU @’ers called me just in time. So there I was on the plane awaiting some uncertain future with these extremely inhospitable Italian stewardesses, and all I could do was envision various scenes happening at the airport, the most frequent being that no one would be at the airport to pick me up, and that I would not know how to get my way through the airport in Milan to catch my flight to Tunis. I get to Milan and figure things out pretty well, but I was in awe at how quick and easy it was to go through security. You don’t have to pull you’re computer out. You don’t have to empty all your belongs and give a drop a blood before going through security. It was tres cool ! And then…I got to Tunis.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Unemployment
So as of today ( February 1st , 2005 ) I am unemployed yet again. For the first time in 6 months I have no income. But I can EASILY say the past 6 months were the greatest way I could think of to transition from "Aiesec World" to the "Real World". The opportunity to work with such bright-eyed and bushy tailed kids from Chicagoland really gave me the closure I needed to be "COMPLETELY" ready to take a rest from Aiesec work for this time. But without a doubt my experiences in Chicago and at Purdue have definitely helped me find my life's passion...helping people.
Unemployment isn't so bad, especially when you have "the next step" in your back pocket. The next step promises to be nothing short of an "adventure". I want to give a HUGE thanks to the Amazing SALAAM TEAM ! Jen and Youssef you guys are the essence of "money" ( that means that you guys have achieved high praise with me ; ) ) . And of course, the uncomparable .... CEEEE - MOOONNAAAYYYY !! A.k.A , C$ , aka - Claude Clodomir " MR. Puerto Rican Haitian foriegnair - extratrodinaire !
Thanks for all your hard work to help all us Salaam trainees.
To all those who are unemployed....chin up ! Because next week you could have a chance of a lifetime too.
Peace and love,
Goodnight.
Unemployment isn't so bad, especially when you have "the next step" in your back pocket. The next step promises to be nothing short of an "adventure". I want to give a HUGE thanks to the Amazing SALAAM TEAM ! Jen and Youssef you guys are the essence of "money" ( that means that you guys have achieved high praise with me ; ) ) . And of course, the uncomparable .... CEEEE - MOOONNAAAYYYY !! A.k.A , C$ , aka - Claude Clodomir " MR. Puerto Rican Haitian foriegnair - extratrodinaire !
Thanks for all your hard work to help all us Salaam trainees.
To all those who are unemployed....chin up ! Because next week you could have a chance of a lifetime too.
Peace and love,
Goodnight.
