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Published: March 8th 2007
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Travelling:
Johanna, Reetta and me. Route:
Nancy-Paris Est, Paris CDG-Monastir, Monastir-Sousse. A semi-serious idea made with friends on New Year's Eve became reality, and so I found myself once again from CDG looking forward to a warm African sun. My friends were supposed to join me from Finland after one and half days in Sousse.
Before landing to Monastir, the weather got suddenly really bad. The massive dark clouds seemed never to end, but I really couldn't expect that kind of strong wind and rain I faced when got myself out from the plane. Anyway, was really excited to be in a whole new continent all by myself. Was not really prepared that well, had no idea how I would get to Sousse. It was really dark already, and at the airport I asked the lady who looked a bit Tunisian if she could help me. She told me to get the metro from Monastir to Sousse, "the taxis only fool you your money, especially if it's your first time here" she said to me in french. Well, didn't want that. Found the metro (=ancient railway passing the airport) easily, it was just in 50 meters of walking.
In a white box-like house was a man inside, and I bought the metro ticket from him with couple of coins (it's forbidden to take the Tunisian dinars out from the country, but you can change euros into dinars at the airport).
The train arrived and I got in. It was really dark outside with some lightnings in the horizon, there was couple of guys in the dirty, smelly, old train and for the first time in a while felt a bit uneasy. Went sitting in one corner with my luggage, took out my mp3, found some nice music, and tried to look like being in my own world far far away. In reality, had no idea where I was going, when I should get out, was a bit concerned about the guys etc. But hey, things always work out just fine, I told myself.
Finally saw a sign outside in the dark saying "Sousse". Got out, and walked towards a building that seemed like a station. There was not that much people around, the weather was crazy and I thought the wind would steel my head off. Or at least some clothes. There was a guy who
Sahara
Photo by Reetta M. looked like working at the trainstation and I asked him if he knew my hotel name. He didn't speak any French or English, but tried really hard to help me. Another man arrived, and they had a pretty heated discussion. Then this another man just said to me in bad English that he could take me to my hotel. His car didn't have any taxi-signs, but it looked new and clean. He was saying to me "no problem" all the time and told me to follow him. In normal life I would have never gone there, but now I was really tired and the weather was horrible and so I decided to trust him.
He drove me to my hotel after searching it a little. I was chatting with him something and he seemed to be ok. I asked him how much he wanted me to pay and he just said politely "I have enough money, thank you, have a nice evening". So I thanked him and got to my hotel. I really don't advice you to trust everybody and do as I did especially if you're a young girl, but sometimes you just need to trust people.
The hotel we had booked with my friends turned out to be nice. At first the guy could not find our reservation and I guess I looked a bit heated up, as he asked the restaurant waiter to bring me a cocktail. I kind of needed that! And maybe he thought that would calm me down. Finally he made couple of phone calls and promised to get me the "nicest room with a view to the sea". Very kind and cool from him, have to admit. So, I finally got to our 7th floor room and it was nice. The storm was yelling outside, but went to get a sandwich from a little snack bar close to the hotel. It was really dark, not much people around except couple of guys who were making the "zhhhhhhssss"- sound after me. Was so tired that just thought zssssss to you too, dude...Then finally got back to the room, tried to watch some tv but it wasn't working. The night came and tried to sleep despite the wind making lots of noise with the windows. Woke up in the middle of the night as the balcony door was open, even though had blocked
it with a big armchair before going to sleep. The curtains were flying in the strong wind like in some super scary film. Totally creepy!
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Jenny
non-member comment
mosaic image
Hi, I am doing a research paper on this particular mosaic and you have the best photo I've been able to find of it. How can I contact the person who holds the rights to publication? I would like to get a high resolution copy, just for myself, to study (not to publish at this point). Thanks.