crenshawroehler

One of the landmarks we were most excited to visit in Djerba was the La Ghriba Synagogue. It is the oldest synagogue in North Africa and is home to one of the oldest copies of the Torah in the world. I know intuitively it may sound strange to think of a Jewish holy site in Tunisia, but this particular Jewish community in Djerba dates back to 586 BC, which makes it one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world outside of Jerusalem. The community in Djerba is now much smaller. Some accounts say there are 1,000 Jews living in Djerba and other accounts report only a few hundred. After visiting Erriadh and walking around the community for several days, I have to question whether there are even a few hundred. The community seemed void of ... read more

If Dorothy really knew what she was doing, she would have clicked her ruby red slippers and said "There's no place like Dar Dhaifa. There's no place like Dar Dhaifa. There's no place like Dar Dhaifa." Before leaving home, we made the decision to avoid the Zone Touristique in Djerba where the large resort hotels are located to stay in the small community of Erriadyh. (After staying there, I would actually say, the VERY small community!) We chose to stay at the Dar Dhaifa a small boutique hotel and we are very happy with the choice we made. Off the beaten path and in the middle of a residential community, the Dar Dhaifa was the lap of luxury. It was subtle and hard to find, but well worth the journey. (Our driver had to ask 7 ... read more

As you already know, Tunisia is a country undergoing a great deal of change. Some of the Tunisians say the revolution is over, others say they are still fighting for change. The old governement officials are out, but a new government has yet to be established. There is celebrating that the people's voice is being heard, there is relief Tunisia has not experienced the bloodshed and chaos their neigbors in Libya are experiencing, but there is still an angry rumble within communitities that won't go away. Tunis is still under curfew (yes mom, we are being obedient!), government buildings are still draped in razor wire and graffiti decorates much of the country. Protests are still common news and the military presence is unavoidable. As an outsider, I would say Tunisia is still going through the pains ... read more

Finally accessed a computer that could manage our photo demands! Theses are random, but a photo is worth a million words, right? ... read more

Those of you who work with or live with my dad may not want to read this blog entry...his head is swelling as I type! In Algeria, we all got a great chuckle out of the 40 year old business man approaching dad because he believed, with sincerity, that dad was the star of "The Hunt for Red October." He was sure he was a submarine captain and so embarrassed when we informed him he was inaccurate. At lunch yesterday we were laughing even louder. We are in Douz, a tiny little oasis town on the edge of the Sahara Desert where tourists gather only for expeditions into the sand dunes. In the afternoon, the town becomes quiet and void of activity. Dad and I wandered into a little restaurant that seemed to be manned by ... read more