A Journey to Tunis

August Macke, a famous German expressionist painter, travelled with 2 artist colleagues, Paul Klee and Louis Moilliet, to Tunisia in 1914. August Macke got really excited by the lights and colours in Tunisia, as a result of this he did a series of water colour paintings (his  final period, luminist approach) that became famous titled : "Die Tunisreise", more than one hundred years go. What is strange, I have yet to meet someone who knows his name or has seen prints of his masterpieces (several originals are in the Museum (Landesmuseum) in Muenster, Westphalia, Germany, the sister town of Monastir). Pity, the folks here don't know this, could be a good advertising, a couple of his paintings are of Kairouan too, give you some ideas of the "good old days."- I guess a lot changed during the last hundred years, on one of August Macke's painting is a man riding on a donkey, looking quite relaxed, while nowadays everybody appears to be in a hurry, feels stressed, the streets are congested with traffic, too much of it, Taxi drivers complain it's no longer fun to drive, cars constantly overtaking, telephoning while driving is common, so is badly secured load on trucks, quite a few drivers appear to have more luck than brain. On the motorway I viewed 12 empty (winter time) storks' nests on electricity poles, we passed the vineyards of the famous Mornag wine, a pretty green landscape with some mountains. The capital has its famous historic sites, well worth visiting and other old beautiful buildings, often built by the French during their occupation (of course for themselves, not to do the local folks a favour). A lot of marble was used and fantastic tiles on a big scale. While marble and high ceilings are beautiful and great to have in a building when it gets really hot outside, during the cold season, though, it is quite tough to work in such a historic building without heating, you can be proud in summer but have to freeze in winter (at least I would, even in a warm coat). In order to obtain a taxi licence in London you have to know all streets, roads, sites etc. and as part of the training spend 2 years driving all over London (if this hasn't changed with the introduction of the navigation system in UK). In Tunisia it is different, while some drivers know the various destinations (even where road signs are missing, not uncommon in Souse), others don't and could really do with a navigation system. In Europe they make jokes that it is difficult to sell in Arabic countries because Arabs don't like a woman to tell them what to do (usually a female voice). By the way, all pedestrians in Tunis and elsewhere, when asked for help to find a certain place, were polite and trying to be helpful. In Tunis they often couldn't as "this area is so big", "this street is so long", "addresses keep changing." When you get really frustrated, sent from "Pontius to Pilatus", you may be lucky and entcounter at your destination a charming person. And may the sun shines, even though it's winter.

React in Good Time

It is no use to lock the stable after the horse has bolted. When we started to settle in Souse, I noted quite a few kids causing damage to other folks' property (cars, buildings, plants, etc) without showing any feelings of wrong doing and even worse, enjoy throwing stones at each other, us, animals etc. Trying to address neighbours, these shocked me by replying: "They are children, nothing one can do." I tried in vain to explain the need to make children understand the difference between right and wrong, mine and yours. Children must know boarders, they like to test how far they can go and they can learn empathy, respect, responsibility. If allowed to "get away with murder" while under age, they won't understand why this changes one day. Letting kids run wild doesn't give them the feeling of being valued and loved, but rather that no one cares for them. Now, years later, some of these wild kids turned into disturbing youngsters, mentally unstable. Four days ago I viewed one lad sitting together with 4 others on the doorstep of an unoccupied house, their usual meeting place, in one hand a large knife, in the other a small axe with which he knocked a hole in a newly installed down pipe. I said to him, if I call the police they will probably beat you (he's got a big mouth) and you may even end up in hospital, do you want that? He surprised me by given me his hand. Two days ago I watched one lad with a metal spear with a sharp triangle at the end. He threw this at the wooden entrance door of an opposite located house and created several holes, he acted as if his behaviour was normal. Yesterday another young man, topless in spite of a not very high temperature, appeared with a bred knife and a hatchet looking for a fight with another (or several other) guy(s), and sure enough, another topless keen fighter showed up, unarmed as far as I could see. While workers at a building site were just watching, and so were children happy to have this "entertainment", some middle aged worried women turned up, the usual men from the neighbourhood who would try to prevent the worst, I didn't view this time. Scene like "West side Story"? It could have ended up quite bloody, in which case the police would turn up. Pity they don't patrol this part of town, in my opinion it could work wonders. By the way, there is now another, even bigger hole in the down pipe, presumable also made by axe, which a bored disturbed young man used, sitting on the marble steps next door. Having these mentally unstable aggressive young guys running around here is kind of disturbing, I wish they would be taken away to a psychiatric ward before some disaster happens. Using violence, beating kids, youngsters, is no solution, it makes more aggressive, can result in mental disturbances, if it were a solution, we would have an ideal world here, only gentle people. Spanking children is practiced in many countries unfortunately, i.e. East Europe. In Germany police visits German-Russian families and asked them to stop doing so, their spanked youngsters fill German Prisons and it is against the law in Germany. Children need positive models, they should not regard bad behavior, putting it mildly, as normal and acceptable by society. In Kairouan I was surprised how well behaved the kids are there, no yelling, no disrespect, no stone throwing at cats, friendly, polite children and youngsters. I used to consider this as normal, I guess I've had too much of the other kind, thus staying in Kairouan is relaxing, unfortunately I can't move to Kairouan. It is not the lovely beech that's keeping me, I found beautiful fur angels (cats) in Souse, regular visitors to my cats' table, I don't want to leave them with those disturbed uneducated kids and young men.  The cats here trust, love and respect me, their puring makes up for a lot of stress that I have to put up with in this part of Souse. - Folks are not happy with Tunisians extradited from Germany. They are supposed to be criminals (or perhaps just naive young men that were dreaming of a better future in Europe). People suspect Europe made them criminal and at a demonstration there was a notice saying: "We don't want the garbage from Germany."  If those extradited are Tunisians where else should they go? No country feels that they could do with more criminals, besides, I don't think one should call human beings "garbage". The question is why have some become criminals, what happened, do they come from a bad or broken family, were they  neglected as children? Could it have been prevented if the right people had reacted in good time? Looking away, saying they are kids, it doesn't matter, nothing one can do, is certainly wrong. What can be done? As Tunisia hasn't got much money (following the big bank robbery by Ben Ali and Leila) a foreign country/EU financed project to build Kindergartens for kids from poor families would be a good start. The nursery school teachers would ideally be well trained and would be teaching children from an early age those values that are important for a civilized

country, including empathy, respect, environmental protection, to love and value their country. Yes, kids can learn a lot if they are taught in a playful positive way. No one is born a criminal, some may have bad genes, but the influence of their surroundings must not be underestimated and they must learn that violence is not a solution and yelling creates unnecessary stress, as does lots of noise. Let us work for a better Tunisia and enjoy the beauty of this country.

Continued This is Africa

Reading fairy tales to kids has a positive effect on their brains and increases their intelligence, in some parts of Europe a "good night story" is read to children who go to bed at set hours, fairly early in the evening. North African parent: "When my little ones fished playing football and get home, around midnight, I am too tired to read fairy tales to them and besides, they are too tired to listen." Parents worry (radio): "School hours start at 8 a.m. this is very early, they don't get enough sleep." In summer you can see toddlers being taken for a walk very late at night and people think nothing of it, while in several European countries folks would shake their head and wonder why the little ones aren't fast asleep in bed. People here worry a lot, e.g.: The world cup in Russia. Won't it be too cold for our football players? Yes, if they play table football outside, normal football with a lot of running should keep them fairly warm, like all the other players from hot countries. Besides, as kids and teens constantly play football (never seen anything like it in other countries) they aught to be brilliant. One boy asked me: "Why don't you like us playing football along your house, while you allow cats to sit there?" Well yes, they sit there, don't yell at an ear splitting level, don't kick balls against our house or onto our terraces, don't cause damages or possibly injuries. They respect us. Further more, cats don't throw stones. Now that one neighbour decided to build a little skyscraper (highly in fashion, at least in Sousse), we have a big heap of pebbles opposite our house, this means a lot of "toys", flying stones. Sometimes we wonder, are we considered to be members of an "occupying force"? In the past, before we settled here, folks appeared to be very friendly, polite, with dignity and smiling a lot, what happened? Disappointed the revolution didn't make them rich over night? There were less possessions, no mobile phones, many without a TV or even a fridge, few expensive new cars, more bikes, etc. yet many tourists, often difficult to find a free seat in a restaurant or cafe. There were more jobs, yet very many appeared to be just more or less coping with their income. Sheepskin was not thrown away as waste (I was surprised to view this several times). Times are changing, in many ways, but it's better not to throw out the child with the bath-water. We could do with less noise, often so unnecessary extreme noise. Without this more guys would not to be so nervous, thin-skinned, a bit deaf, therefore always speaking very loud. I hear voices, guests that I don't know of? No, working men at the building site opposite. We require anti-aggression training and learn how to relax and enjoy the beauty of Tunisia, e.g. this perfect beach (if kept clean), teach the ignorant. Some young folks don't like being told that their behaviour is not appropriate, hearing this makes them aggressive, overreacting, feeling like starting a fight, or with a bit of luck, they may even apologise. As you never know and don't feel like getting a mouthful back, many prefer to look the other way and say nothing. Keeping silent is often understood  as consent. Having studied educational sciences I believe education and good models is what we need, in particular for the young ones who still learn by watching and imitating.

Continued Cats' Story

It turned out that Myriam, the cat that had the accident, was living on a Mosque compound and had the accident (broken jaw, one eye sticking  out 4cm, one back leg numb) 2 days before I was informed. Listening to the Quran all day long, every day, must have saved her. One religious man took a photo of her and sent his son to speak with me. I guess those who saw the little darling, were fearing the costs of a vet, understandable, I paid 120 Dinar, including vitamins, to speed up recovery. Pity no one thought of crowd funding, if many give even a small amount of money, it is possible to cover the costs. Anyhow, Myriam is doing well, eating finely chopped turkey in yogurt sauce, she is very brave, purring, not complaining about her misfortune and when she doesn't feel like  eating I say, one bit for Mummy, one bit for Daddy..... it works, not always, but often. Or I say eat up, then the sun will shine tomorrow, works as well, even with the sun. When I heard that Myriam has kittens, I was relieved to learn they are old enough to cope without their Mum and on the Mosque compound food and water would be provided for them. In the beginning she had problems using the toilet (constipation), now okay following a bit of medication. If you asked why do I take so much trouble with cats, let me tell you I spent most of my life helping people (even managed to save 4 folks' life), viewing how cats live here, I decided now it is time to help them. Something that really bothers me and makes me very sad, is being confronted with many cats suddenly, within 10 days, passing away. I know of 18 cats a few months old, the oldest approx. 1 year. This happened in Sousse and Kairouan (of there I only have limited information) and affected mainly indoor cats, some appeared to have a bit of breathing problems or a cold, all seemed not to be severe enough for them to dy, no obvious symptoms appeared to be grave enough. Kittens several months old died, while their mothers are fit and healthy, other kittens a few months older survived. My guests at the cats' table (cats without a home, more or less finding their own shelter, 3 underneath my yucca plant) are all there as usual, I did a count, no one missing, thank heaven, but I suffered several loses, beautiful, gentle little angels, my co-inhabitants that I miss so much. Quite a few so called stray cats are absolutely beautiful, gentle, clean, respect me and would doubtlessly be happy to find a loving home. I am sure several had been living in-doors before, perhaps the people they've been living with have left the country, putting them out on the street was the cheapest solution. By the way, gorgeous Gloria, who lost all her kittens, one after the other died, adopted an orphan young cat, approx. as old as her little ones that passed away. Yasmina's children are all still there, fit and lively, except for one that has a bad cold. Myriam had her stitches (following the operation of her injured eye that could not be saved) now removed, she remained absolutely calm and gentle as always, a real  little angel,. the kind of patient a vet dreams of. Cats are so amazing, some are demanding while others are absolutely modest. My princess (Thailand cat with turquoise eyes) insists on her own toilet and calls me whenever she needs her servant, I am afraid she would be happier as an "only child". This I can not offer her, pity, those cats are said to be very loyal. She's not too keen on other cats but likes my "ladies in black velvet", who say "marhaban" (welcome) to all newcomers, including of course to our junior, lovely tomcat Allien. So I am surrounded by sleeping beauties at present, all appear to be well and this makes me happy. The sun makes up for cold nights. The rainy season, though, will as usual not be easy for all who are homeless, animals and human beings. Yesterday pre-school kids called me. They had discovered a dead cat underneath a car. It turned out to be an adult white cat with a bit of yellow patches. The cat looked well fed, no blood on the ground, no apparent injuries, no accident. One little boy suggested - in his words that I take the lovely cat to the vet - I had to unfortunately advice him it's too late, the cat has passed away. It looked peaceful, didn't suffer much, as far as I can judge. It is sad, but the boys' reaction gives me hope, their empathy is a good sign.

Cats Never Ending Story

A cat got hit by a car in the neighbourhood, a 10 year old boy informed me. It turned out to be a lovely gentle cat (4 colours: white, orange, brown, black) sitting near a mosque, one eye sticking out several cm. She didn't scream, didn't complain when I picked her up and carried her to my house in order to put her in a transport box. I took a taxi, together with the young lad, to the vet, who luckily declared she can help and as the cat is still young (approx. 1 year) she'll recover and manage to get along with one eye only (my sweet Tareqqa also does perfectly well). Following further examinations the vet discovered that the accident victim had in addition her jaw broken. Poor soul. In spite of all her suffering she remained amazingly calm. As she's going to live with me now for a while I decided she needs a name: Myriam (in view of her beauty). The vet explained that Myriam now has problems to swallow, requires very finely chopped meals with liquid and added vitamins for 10 days, needs to wear a plastic collar to prevent her from scratching her wound. My vet truly loves animals and offered me a rebate as she values my action. The boy explained to her that he knows me as a person who can be addressed whenever a cat needs help and that is why he knocked at my door. Yesterday, the day of her operation Myriam didn't eat or drink, apart from the water with melted tablet that I sprayed into her mouth. Today she managed to eat, thank heaven, sits there quietly, accepting me and her fate. On the way back we saw a woman standing next to a taxi waving; she offered to share the taxi with us as she was travelling the same direction.  She told the driver that I love cats a lot, which is great, and wanted to show me on her mobile phone a picture of a woman feeding cats. I was surprised to learn it was me, looks like more people know me than I do. - Kids also watch me a lot, some expressed they share my appreciation of cats and/or dogs. I am frequently asked the names of cats near my house. Some of them I have actually given a name and they react when I use it. Anyhow, when I informed a 5 year old boy that a certain tomcat is called Jousef, he smiled and said: "Hello, Jousef." Then he advised me that that is also his name. Cats need a dentist (the vet also) from time to time. Yousef couldn't eat without pain. It was easier than I expected to put him in a transport box. It turned out that 2 of his molars were in a real bad state and needed to be extracted. I succeeded to give him his tablet (mixed with soft cheese), but only for 7 instead of 10 days. At least he can eat now without problems. Bijou, one of our co-inhabitants, stopped eating, so it was time for her also to have a check-up. The vet explained a similar problem, unfortunately the water here is very calcareous. It effects the teeth and can lead to stones in the kidneys. Her teeth was in a bad state due to this kind of water. When we got back to the house she went hiding (normal behaviour for animals, when they are wounded or sick they do it for their own safety in order not to become easy prey). Time to feed Myriam, my cats keep me on my toes! Myriam (1 day later) has started to eat, finely chopped meat with gravy and she enjoys her daily massage, thanks me with purring. She is amazing. Her beautiful fur is soft like velvet. I will never understand why some folks don't like cats. Several kids grow up with bad models who throw stones. Kids watch and imitate. On account of bad experience cats here tends to be very careful with children, who may well be their "enemies".  This kind of behaviour I never viewed in any other country (visited quite a few). When I feel depressed on account of this lack of empathy, strange, I often encounter kids/ folks who love animals, thank heaven for that.

Postcript This is Africa

Living in this part of Souse sounds like living next to a football stadium, several kids constantly yelling or talking very loud, (a bit better during school hours, thank heaven for that) and at other times like a market place. Various street vendors sell vegetables, fruit, etc., three men trying to sell fish, some times they more less arrive at the same time. So much fish, who wants to eat this all day long? All this shouting and hooting, difficult for expats to get used  to, yet the folks here think it's normal, if you don't, you are the odd one out. The first sentence toddlers learn is: "It wasn't me", the usual reply one gets if a kid is caught getting up to no good (like throwing stones, hitting cats, etc.). Never leave tools or other items unattended outside, not even for a few minutes, otherwise it will disappear in no time. Still, with a bit of luck children will return it if you offer a reward, it worked twice. - Hairdressers' prices are approx. the same as in Germany. They work differently though, like to pull hair straight (not my taste, my hair has started to get curly here, all by itself, I like it that way) on various occasions wondered do they want to pull out my hair, burn my skull (too hot hair dryer). The first hairdresser I visited in Souse (on recommendation - never rely on that unless you know the person really well) demanded 50 Dinar for dyeing my hair with my on product, complained about a lot of work (I was the only customer)  and high expenditure. She just had her saloon newly decorated, did she mean that or a bit of water and electricity? Not happy to pay a "surcharge for tourists or expats" (all supposed to be rich), I decided never to return. - On the radio: News presented at a high speed, is there someone in the studio with a whip? Most of the talking interrupted by lots of giggling and laughing. Jokes, comedy, performed with a strange, child-like voice mend to be funny. Sounds like kids' program to me. - Alcohol, with the exception of beer and some local vine, is very expensive, brilliant, though this doesn't mean no alcoholics, it reduces the problem and it's the hard drinks that really make aggressive. Nevertheless anti-aggression training would be a good idea for several kids, teens and adults who mainly had bad models and quickly get furious, boil with rage because they lack self-control. In Germany for example anti-aggression training proved to be worth it. Let us all get more relaxed, we only live once. By the way, stroking a pet, e.g. a cat or dog, is relaxing and can reduce too high blood pressure. There is a demonstration in Souse, folks want those in power to do more for the protection of women against sexual harassment, as e.g. quite a few young men show no respect and use bad language, etc and also provide a better protection against theft (I for example feel safer without expensive jewellery or even a handbag, when I go shopping). The demonstration shows that democracy is working here and there is a political awareness in the population - unlike at the time of Ben Ali when the people didn't dare to express their thoughts freely.

This is Africa

Trust in God but fasten your camel well. Saladin, a lovely gentle tomcat had diarrhoea. The vet advised me not to give him any food for 24 hrs. It was so tough, Saladin just loves to eat and he doesn't need to "watch his figure". Anyhow, after nearly 20 hrs he got fed up, why stay in a house where there is nothing to eat and as I wouldn't let him walk out through the front door, he felt forced to climb from the roof, jump onto the awning. A boy discovered him and informed me. With the aid of a ladder I managed to take my little treasure safely down and convince him of my never ending love and that I am happy to provide food for him. Eileen and Allan look like twins, slim little tigers, approx. 6 months old. I found them one day as tiny baby cats lying in a cardboard box in front of my entrance door. I was aware they'll die if I don't offer them "asylum". At the vet's I happened to see a box with baby-milk powder, fairly expensive (75 Dinar including a bottle for feeding). Still, money well spent, I  decided. A lot of work, not just a case of 3 meals a day but every 4 hrs, longer break at night. After a while the little ones started "to fight" who can have the milk bottle first. Whenever Allan and Eileen see me they immediately start purring, always happy to see their "mum". I get a lot of love from my little fur-angels. Those who throw stones at cats, etc. don't know what they are missing!  Now, as autumn started, nights are already getting cold, it is the time of coughing, sneezing, also for cats. One approx. 6 months old cat, living outside, a regular customer at my cats' table, already suffered from a bad cold. One day she looked just awful, from the head down to her front leg covered in blood. I was shocked to see her like that and wondered what happened. Then I discovered that heavy sneezing must have caused this (like we sometimes get a bleeding nose). Thinking if kids/folks view it they may believe she is perhaps dangerous, better kill her; I needed a quick solution, possibly without consulting a vet. We asked a pharmacist whether he got a cough mixture suitable for babies and thus perhaps also for cats. Luckily it did work. When I tried to save an severely injured cat (thought she had been hit by a car, but the x-ray proofed it was the bullet of an air-gun) frightened to death she bit me and I ended up with a large blue spot. The vet advised me to get vaccinated against rabbis, though I felt sure her understandable fear was the sole reason she bit me, I followed the vet's advice and was surprised to find this vaccination (in a small hospital) was free of charge. Thank you Tunisia. Unfortunately it was not possible to save the cat's life. The bullet paralysed her back legs, an operation would be difficult and only pos. in Europe, perhaps, the clinic stated. So sad. - Lady: "Why do you throw your wrapping onto the pavement, don't you love your town?" Boy: "This isn't my town." Lady: "When then are you here?" Would it have made any difference if the question had been, don't you love your country? When I ask children to keep their town/ country clean, they suggest I should call the police and they make rude comments. A lot of education is required, if parents can't do this, then teachers are all the more demanded. Yet I've seen kids leaving  grammar school and dropping their fruit peelings right in front of the entrance door to the school yard. Don't they teach the importance of environment protection? It would be a good idea to make school classes collect rubbish off streets, let's say one day a month. It can raise their awareness of pollution. I've seen a cow's skull lying on the ground at a distance of approx. 12 meters from a rubbish container, I guess the law doesn't explicitly state that's not allowed? Folks here generally seem to believe various laws and regulations are just a non-binding suggestion; like collective taxi (mini buses) drivers wearing seat belts. Well they do, just to keep the police happy, as soon as the police is out of sight, they happily continue without and phoning while driving is very common. When you talk to a driver, he can't reply without looking at you (instead of concentrating on the traffic). During a heated discussion he will in addition start talking with his hands. This is just one of the reasons why I prefer travelling by bus, whenever possible. In addition the buses provide a safer journey,  better drivers. - As the weather is getting quite cold, stormy, unpleasant, in Europe and other parts of the world, we can still enjoy the sunshine at a pleasant temperature and tourists are very welcome to share it with the folks here.

Tee

The Misunderstanding, a Short Story

Always try to get the full story to avoid misunderstandings. Somewhere in Africa a man visited a police station during a break. Seeing the staff there drinking coffee he assumed this what they do all day. So he complained to his president that the police don't work. The president whose mind was occupied with bigger problems, misunderstood that the police force hasn't got enough work. He promised to deal with this and soon found a "solution". He worked out that if he would release 4 or 5 hundred criminals who are likely to continue stealing, this would supply the police with plenty of work. And so ordered the release of several hundred prisoners. The citizens who heard what happened were not happy as they felt there are already enough thieves out on the street and so they complained to the president. The president whose mind was occupied with bigger problems, misunderstood that the good citizens demanded he should release more prisoners. He promised to deal with this; it seemed to be a good way to save money on food, water, prison cells, prison guards, etc. And so he ordered the release of even more prisoners. When the citizens heard what happened, they decided to raise the walls of their houses and not complain again to the president. As the president didn't receive any more complaints he concluded that the good citizens of his country are all happy.

Postcript Health care System

More than 70% of medicines consumed in Africa are imported, only Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa are able to produce enough drugs and medicines for the local market. Ethiopia is a model country for local investments and developed manufacturing capacity, offering increased access to quality assured medication. Generics are produced at very low costs, for many years mainly supplied by India and China. They are supposed to be as good as the original, sold a lot in Europe too, yet some patients are not as happy with these as with the original (in a few cases less effective and/or more side-effects, yet the concerned health insurances as a rule don't want to meet the extra costs). Generics represent a chance to make more necessary medication available to folks with little or no income. Manufacturing in Tunisia and local knowledge further reduces the costs.- The pharmacy industry justifies their high prices (in particular in Germany) with survey and development costs and tends to forget to mention their huge profits and money spent on advertising and lobbying works. Well they take what they can get. If you have the misfortune to suffer a rare illness, you may well discover that there is no suitable medicament on the market. This is not because it can't be developed, but rather that the pharmacy industry doesn't expect large profits in this case and therefore just isn't interested. On the other hand, whenever a representative of the pharmacy industry has a chance to discover, through natives, new healing herbs or plants, they tend "to forget" to offer even a minor share to the concerned natives. ( In some cases NGOs managed to explain the natives' rights.) - From time to time, in particular concerning more expensive imports, your dispensing chemists may not be able to sell the medication you require and suggest a different one, as his supplier didn't deliver what he ordered. With a bit of luck you can perhaps thus discover a new good product. Supply and demand don't always match, more expert planning could be helpful,  not just here. But to be fair, large improvements have been made since the revolution and this is likely to continue now that the number of tourists returning is rising.

The Health Care System

 Not surprising, rich people live on average 10 years longer than the poor, this is due to life style, healthier food (not so much junk/fast food), usually better education and being in a position to afford first class medication and specialists. Generally speaking the health system isn't bad here, the best in Africa actually. Yet most private hospitals and medical facilities are located in major cities.Thus in rural areas universal access to basic health care is limited. You may have to travel quite a distance to the next clinic/ medical facility and in case of an emergency loose precious time. The poor can obtain a paper that entitles them to free health care in government funded clinics, but they may have to wait for 3-4 months for an appointment or without an appointment spent several hours in the waiting room. I visited a clinic once only to discover approx. 500 patients had already arrived, so I left to see a private expert instead. Those who can afford this are lucky, yet you can always find many patients in the waiting rooms of the various medical practitioners and specialists. Quite a few studied in Europe, often France or Germany. The usual consulting fee is 50 Dinar in Souse, appears to be less in some other towns, e.g. in Kairouan, (a good, dedicated general practitioner in modest facility charged only 30 Dinar) extra pay for injections etc. Blood tests and x-rays are carried out in other specialist practises, unless you are in a hospital or clinic. Smaller medical facilities for out-patients, opening hours rather limited, and maybe only 1 or 2 employed practitioners, perhaps less qualified, charge less. Hospitals are said to be better equipped, the standard is generally much higher and this included the doctors' qualification and therefore you are required to pay more for consultations. Most expatriates and foreign visitors use private clinics. Many Tunisians buy into insurance schemes which partially refund costs of treatment. If you are forced to continue paying health insurance contributions of and to an European country (not at all a small amount), according to an agreement between the Tunisian government and the concerned country, the "CNAM" (Tunisian national health insurance) receives a minor amount of your contributions and this can entitle you to get a little  bit refunded if you go to the state funded clinic for treatment, or are chronically ill and get your prescriptions from there. My personal experience with CNAM: bad service, unfriendly staff - though I never ever even received a milliem (smallest coin here, rarely ever used) from them. Quite a few expats are unhappy with that system, but they are often unaware how small the amount of money is that European countries/ health insurances actually pay. Most opticians, dentists (73 %), pharmacists (80%) and doctors (50 %) work in the private sector, some part-time in hospitals or clinics as well. In the clinics' dispensaries the poor can obtain their medication for free - but it is not always available due to faults in the public procurement system, perhaps even false prescriptions, wrong distribution (corruption, the government tries to solve this). So they may be forced to buy their medication at the pharmacist' who is expected to provide cheap medicine. Though the price is certainly much lower there than e.g. in Germany, the price is also influenced by the country of origin. Imports from Italy, France, Swiss or Germany (supposed to be of higher quality) are quite a bit more expensive than local productions, (still an attractive price for European tourists) and this reduces the demands and supply. Thus you can't always get what you want, even if you can afford a higher price. Some pharmacists are in addition doctors and can therefore provide professional advice to customers who want to save time and money for consulting a surgeon, and one can get an injection there for 1 instead of 10 Dinar. This method may not always be advisable and I would think that those who should receive a thorough medical examination will be advised accordingly. - Many illnesses are caused by constant stress, this could be reduced by noise-restricting laws, not just for companies but for private households and individuals as well. I am under the impression that folks here love creating quite unnecessary noise with which they "pollute" the air, just like children, and not surprisingly everybody (including me meanwhile) seems to be very nervous and it leads to high blood pressure or even worse illnesses. (I need noise-proof walls). Scientists say sugar is the number one killer. For unknown reasons in Arabic countries and in Turkey folks use extreme amounts of sugar, this is the sugar one can see in tea, coffee and on cakes, and and then there is in addition the less obvious sugar in soft drinks and in various ready-made foods on sale. In soft drinks it is very high, mend to give flavour and make you addicted (very sweet, your flavour). Junk food is very popular among children and teens, as I can see by the wrappings on my pavement, every day, they learnt quickly that in spite of the new law/ regulation (to achieve a beautifully clean Tunisia) they can continue their old bad habit to dump their rubbish anywhere, no one there to impose a fine! Hope this will change one day. For a healthier population we need more education work, less fast food and instead slow-food restaurants as well as information for parents concerning the importance of healthy home-cooking.

The Good, the Bad & those In-Between

 Father:"My son, if you ever manage to be the only one in the the class who can answer one of your teacher's question, I'll buy you a new football." A couple of days later: "Daddy, the teacher asked, why the light isn't working and I knew the answer." Father: " Good, this concerns physics, what did you say?" Son: "I smashed the light bulb." - The other day folks (mainly elderly) met and prayed for rain, badly needed for the crops and water supply. It did actually rain that day, but very very little in Souse, in Kairouan more, but in addition there was hail and storm. The extreme weather everywhere this year one can see as an answer to people who believe, like Trump, that money is more valuable than nature and scientific knowledge reference the effects on the climate can be ignored. There is so much pollution in the air, soil and water that should and could be reduced, but we have too many short-sighted young and not so young folks who just don't care (live fast, die young). Anyhow, surprise, surprise, it rained again the next and the following day. Seems like if good citizens pray for rain, they'll get rewarded! - The effects of negligence on children can be studied in this part of Souse. The kids don't know how to play (apart from football according to their own, local rules, or sometimes game at marble), their games are full of aggression, hitting, kicking, throwing stones, running and yelling, boys and girls alike, a nightmare when they gang together, no respect for anyone. As one man from the neighbourhood put it: "Good parents have good children. Then there are those with bad parents who don't care, don't educate their kids, these children can not be blamed for the way they are."  Several persons stressed they won't allow their children to mix with those who roam the streets. I can understand if one sometimes feels tempted to beat the little and not so little hooligans (though violence can never be the solution, it only makes more aggressive), if this happens suddenly the father/mother or both appear, furious, may be even ready to start a fight because of their for ever innocent angels. A sample of a good mother, Gloria, my gorgeous "street cat", when an orphan kitten asked her for milk, she laid down and allowed the little one to drink. She is so lovely, gentle, respects and trusts me. Lately some big expensive cars passed my house, driving slowly, the men, women and children apparently enjoyed watching these beautiful peaceful cats in front of my house. One man told me: "Now that you feed the cats here, they have changed, they are contend and relaxed." The only problem remaining are these neglected kids that still try to get rid of their frustrations by throwing stones at cats (even those hiding beneath cars), my house, me. I guess what their parents teach them is, if you feel envy, there is a simple solution, you have the power to ensure that certain persons can't enjoy whatever they possess. Do I need to stress, I never show off, don't wear expensive jewellery, usually no handbag, no mobile phone when I go out on the street (in case of an emergency immediate help is highly unlikely, unless by decent people who happen to notice this)? How can kids who grew up without love, were never taught basic values (unless at school, before it's too late?) become good wives/husbands/ parents? Some call them "the lost generation".  When I say, with their life style they won't get old, I often hear: Just as well. What a horrible thought.  Information from the radio, parents complained their poor kids have nowhere to sit at school during their break, when they leave the building. Are they that old and fragile that they most urgently need to sit down again? Perhaps there should be some settees in the school yard , so these poor students can relax and maybe sleep a bit? When I attended school there were also no benches etc., supposed to be better for the body and brain not to constantly sit down. Maybe this is too much for those kids who travel to school by taxi. When I was young I walked 5 km to grammar school because I wanted to save the bus fare for paperbacks. I just loved literature (still do!) and discovered at a very young age writers like James Baldwin, Ernest Hemingway, Arthur Miller, etc.  - Mainly elderly folks, educated, good manners, several religious (not fanatics) give me hope, they represent the good Tunisia, its beauty. One thing one can learn here, the importance of education. Unfortunately it is impossible to force parents to love their offspring, but perhaps one can make them understand what they are doing to their kids. Let us educate the ignorant, Tunisia is beautiful, don't allow them to spoil this. We have laws/regulations to achieve clean streets  etc., the fines for offenders are  high - catch a few and the word will spread. Maybe no more chewing gum, cigarette packets and other wrappings on my pavement in future and a  clean area along school buildings, etc. I look forward to that. The ladies living in houses overlooking places with rubbish containers (several cleaning up daily, a bit like fighting windmills) will also very much appreciate this.

My lovely big Cats' Family

Children:"Why  do you like cats?" My reply: "I like all animals." "But why cats in particular?" "Because I discovered that they are poor and suffer a lot here." I of course can't help all animals. I would love to buy a piece of land and use it as a big garden/park/farm for animals in need of support, unfortunately this I cannot afford. The so-called stray cats are amazing, so beautiful, expensive breeds among them. Where do they come from? Left behind when some folks left this country? One big fluffy Persian cat, we believed to be male, difficult to see the difference with all that long hair. Anyhow, she enjoyed me brushing her (appeared no one else did), nevertheless I wondered why she spend so much time in front of my house, wanting to move in with me, though her owners in the neighbourhood are well-off. One day, when she was really persistent, I let her sleep in a small corridor. The next morning I was surprised to see she had given birth to 2 baby kittens, one dead, one alive. She seemed to be weak, I regretted that I hadn't understood before that she really needed help. Anyhow, hours later I was shocked to find both the mother and the other kitten dead. When we informed the owners, well their reaction was not what I expected, they just couldn't care less: "She was already old (11 years approx.) and has had many kittens." Not interested in burying the cats either, suited them the cats died in my house.- Two years ago I discovered a Siamese colour-point cat (blue eyes, light fur with all the markings as described in literature) near the rubbish dump, supposed to be one of the most expensive cats in the world and rare, also known as Royal Cat of Siam, that once upon a time no one but the king and members of the royal family were permitted to own. A day later 2 young men knocked at our door, enquiring about this cat, stating they are the owners and that they heard the cat would be with us. This was not the case and I didn't see the Siamese cat again until one year later, just briefly and then not until lately, when a couple of children asked me for food for their (?) cat. Strange, if you are the owner of such an exclusive cat yet have no money for food. I regret I never took the the phone number of the previously mentioned young men. Any how, the other day these young boys offered the Siamese cat to me for 30 Dinar, then going down to 5. I discovered the little darling is in a poor shape, almost skinny, a strip of fur missing, from between the ears further down the back and another such marking around the neck and little wounds. I declared she is very sick, not at all well kept and I'll need my money to take her to the vet. Depending on what the vet says I may pay the 5 Dinar, though I wonder where they picked up the poor little honey and hope I can find a good family for her. I named her "Madonna", she is intelligent, likes to cuddle and be the "only child", doesn't like other cats, just needs someone who really cares for her. How old Madonna is I can not say and I regret I can't keep her. She is so lovely and deserves to live in a good family, where she is appreciated. I am going to get my vet to check her state of health, age and may be she can help me find suitable people to give her a good home. - Among the cats that live with us are 2 Persian cats (Saladin & Amir) as well as a Chinchilla cat (Cinderella) and more beauties. When lovely gentle Saladin looks at me with his big eyes, I wonder what he is thinking. Cinderella has blue eyes and always seems to be happy and willing to cuddle. Tariqqa, a quiet sweet lady cat, has only one eye, nevertheless she can really scrutinise you that's why I gave her that name, meaning conqueror. Tomcat Tiger is a gentleman, whenever I give him food and another cat wants it, he stands back, letting her/him have it. The other day one of our cats knocked at the kitchen door and Bijou opened the door from inside. Pity I haven't caught this on video. It was so funny. - Gloria, the most gorgeous cat I've ever seen, I've been feeding for some time and one day I discovered a little kitten looking 95% like her, yet Gloria's reaction left me uncertain whether she is the Mum or not. Then I saw Gloria with 2 kittens that almost got squashed by the wheels of a car, unnoticed by the driver, I managed to save them just in time and took them indoors, together with the kitten that resembles Gloria so much. A couple of weeks later I found a tiny black baby cat in front of my entrance door and added it to the little family. It worked well, Gloria gives milk to all of them. She completely trusts me. I am allowed to pick her and any of her babies up, no protest, I am allowed to baby-sit for her, when she wants to go for a walk. - Cats hate getting their eyes, nose or ears treated, cleaned. Some accept it more than others, that is talking about my in-door mates. Surprise, surprise, a big tomcat with golden coloured fur, a so-called "stray cat", my little sunshine, seems to be specially detached to me and likes to accompany we when I go shopping, I named him Habibi, allowed me today to clean his nose and hears, just like that, wow. - While some cats don't like kittens of other cats (competition concerning limited food supply),  my great black ladies, Lilly and Felicitas, welcome all. Amazing how fast kittens often secure their food and if there is more than one piece of food put one leg over it, "all mine." Cats are great let's appreciate, protect and save them. Pity several children here have a disturbed relationship with cats (letting them suffer in an attempt to get rid of their frustation as neglected kids) and not surprising most cats run away when children approach them. How cats react to me is a real surprise from many: "Never seen anything like it before."

Postcript Life never gets Boring

Should there ever be an Olympic competition in queue jumping, Tunisian would obtain all medals. Sometimes I wonder in which jungle various folks grew up. Strange, I never encountered such rude manners before - not for decades. I think it's important to complain and make these elbow folks feel embarrassed. In the neighborhood

a small supermarket owner watched a man pulling a woman by her arm aside so that he can be first at the counter. When the shop owner asked him, what are you doing, the guy replied: "I'm in a hurry." This is a standard "excuse" for this type of people. It appears they don't even have the time to say: "Excuse me, would you allow me to be served first..... " With so many unemployed, why are all these folks in a hurry? To get to the cafe? Would they have the time  to work should a job be offered to them? Time management and planning abilities are frequently underdeveloped , this I noted over and over again here. Anyhow, the shopkeeper's further reaction: "You better go to the market, I will not serve You". Fantastic, wow, more of this please! It is such a shame most of the time crude behaviour appears to be acceptable nowadays, they manage to get serviced first, nobody says anything. They have no reason to change, success makes you stronger - do we want an elbow society? - For unknown reasons the postal service doesn't function well. Several letters and parcels from and to Germany and England over and over again don't arrive, and those that do often take much longer than in the past. The local postman is not the problem, I am sure. He knows us and appears to be quite reliable. We've complained to the postal headquarters in Tunis and of course never received a reply. This is normal here, since they didn't ask us to write to them, why waste time and money on a reply? In Europe authorities and other folks working in an admin section have on the computer a program with elements that only need to be put together as appropriate in order to print e.g. a reply in no time, then just add the name and address of the recipient. This is obviously considered a luxury in Tunisia, what you don't know you won't miss. Any how, I hope my bog makes some persons think. Thank you if you do, it would mean that all my academic education and efforts are not wasted here. Let us all try to make Tunisia great and enjoy the beauty.

Life never gets Boring

In a factory with various machines one man runs from machine to machine as he is the sol employee there and then there is the administration building with 100 members of staff. One day a letter arrives stating staff expenditures are too high, one person needs to be dismissed; so they wonder: do we still need that man in the factory? - Bureaucracy is highly developed with lots of fantasy, surprises - as in many other countries. Tunisia is fighting against corruption, which often leads to not the most suitable person being the successful applicant but whoever managed one way or another to pay to be chosen, as the "most qualified applicant". Several procedures don't seem to be very logical and could surely be simplified. Such changes take time but they are worth it! A work-study-engineer could have an interesting job here. - The other day a young lady asked me how are you, when I honestly replied that I am sick, her reaction was a real surprise - she looked so happy. Why did I bother to buy removal-cardboard boxes full of toys for children I don't even know, when I can make this kids happy by simply falling sick? No, it's not fair, though I got the same reaction by a young man (my little test), the children are not all like that, thank heaven. But the experience showed what I noticed at other occasions, some folks don't like foreigners, may be even blame them for their own misfortune. I've got a fair idea what is said about Europeans (if you've been abroad for long enough, you are seen as such, not as a Tunisian) in some ignorant families. Foreigners as scape-goats, nothing new, this stupidity  exists in just about every country. - The other day we travelled via mini-bus (a kind of collective taxi for 8 passengers) to Kairouan, though we regard buses as the better choice, safer drive, but  the departure times are uncertain with large crowds waiting. At the counter various persons try to be served first in particular those who just arrived, women and men alike. In Kairouan, travelling back, my husband had to queue up for nearly an hour. I went outside and waited in the yard/ parking area for the mini-buses. Twice young women appeared, briefly entered the building and returned with tickets in no-time, no queueing-up, must be very important persons (?). Some times a driver offers to take passengers without tickets, which he either buys himself, or not. Without tickets there is no insurance and it's not fair to jump the queues. The guy who arranges the procedure of getting the right passengers on the right buses and ensures tickets are properly bought, suddenly turned up and said the first eight at the counter can board a bus to Souse, he'll get the tickets. My husband was meanwhile second in the queue  and we hurried to the bus with a group of other folks, who wouldn't think twice about pushing us aside. We had to complain in order to obtain the last 2 seats on the bus. A young woman thought we "as Europeans" were given priority, which actually she should have, young and fit, with elbows, I guess she would be very happy to learn that we have kids in the neighbourhood throwing stones......The vast majority of the population in Tunisia is very young. If you are confronted with those who lack education, basic manners, respect, life can be very tough should you happen to be a gentle polite person and you better not be old and fragile - unless you've got a "body-guard".  Much needs to be done to make Tunisia great, it is possible, step by step. I think it's important to speak up, educate the ignorant and explain over and over again the importance of tourists, some times elderly, not to be less respected as they may well choose to spend their money in another country the next time, and last not least, how much expats have done for this country and are still doing. They don't deserve to be made unwelcome, be confronted with envy and stones! - Another item that needs to be tackled are those thieves on motorbikes who specialise in handbag snatching, quite professional, as I know from my own experience. I didn't even feel the touch when the 2. guy on the bike removed the handbag off my shoulder, the strap tore,  suddenly the weight of the bag was gone. I know of several persons who have been robbed like that in Jawhara, e.g. a hairdresser, a baker, a shop employee, an elderly couple, a housewife, a tailor - all with little income and no hope to ever have the stolen items returned to them. In Germany the thieves at least throw the papers and keys into a letter box so that these can be given back to the owner. No such luck here. Often folks don't even report the theft to the police "who won't be able to help". I think that is totally wrong, without the accurate statistic the police can not know where the hot spots are, nor the extend of the problem. If they do, though, then hopefully appropriate measures are taken to trace the gang. By the way, one victim was so chocked: "They were kids on a motorbike". - A taxi driver complained, in this neighbourhood you can not park a car without it getting damaged, parts broken off, it's terrible. Not everybody has got a garage and the profit is not such that one can easily pay for that. Yes, some of these street children   proudly damage whatever they can. Unfortunately they have no feeling of wrong doing, these neglected kids from ignorant families. I pray for a project with social workers to get them off the street and teach them basic values to start off with; there is so much they need to learn so that they have a chance in life without violating the laws. Tunisia can be beautiful, it won't be if we let the ignorant create an elbow society.

Good and bad days

Teacher: "Osama, please add two plus three." Osama: "Seven". Teacher: "Wrong". Osama: You always criticize me that is why I don't like school!"-  What is mend to be a constructive suggestion for possible improvement is frequently misunderstood as unjustified critique or even an insult. Why? This may be due to lacking self-confidence, the social surrounding adds to a strong personality if there are many good models, encouragements, if infants grow up with the feeling that they are important, someone is always there, just for me. Courage, patience, respect and empathy - children don't learn this by roaming the streets, if they are more or less just provided with a bed space, some food and the decision, when it's time to go to sleep (roundabout 2 a.m.) is left to them. Too much freedom is bad for kids, they like to test how far they can go, what if they aren't told where the borders are, what kind of behaviour is good and which is not, well in this part of Souse several children lack a feeling of wrong doing,

 I noticed. They are not accustomed to being told what to do, not that everybody is happy with their behaviour, it's just that many have given up, as when you say something, you get a mouthful back! - In Israel someone had a good idea how to occupy teens living at the coast, it is called "pick and run". This of cause doesn't mean steal and run, but pick up rubbish that doesn't belong to the beach and run, thus make it a kind of game. The kids here don't know how to occupy themselves (apart from playing football according to their very own rules, which includes ear-splitting yelling) and they appear to be constantly running, may be someone could encourage them to "pick and run" also?  -Children knocked at my door: "One of your cats got hit by a car."  It turned out to be an approx. 8 months old black and white cat, a regular visitor at my cats' table. She had almost crossed the road when she got fatally hit and died almost immediately. At least she didn't suffer for long. Looks like the kids regard me as the person who protects and feels responsible for cats, they tend to inform me if one of them gets injured or dies. - Sunny-boy, a lovely golden coloured tomcat, living in Kairouan, a regular visitor without a permanent home but always welcomed at our house, disappeared for a few weeks. I missed his purring and cuddling. When he returned, he had lost weight, his fur looked dull, he looked neglected and much older than his actual age of 4 years. But anyway, we were both happy to see each other; he purred and cuddled with me, just great. My joy to have him back didn't last long, one week later he passed away in the yard, without any apparent reason, I am feeling very sad. - In Kairouan we once consulted a vet because Bambino, a kitten, was bleeding from the anus. The vet very briefly "examined" the baby cat (thought eating fish caused the bleeding).  I got the impression that cats are not the kind of patience this vet "favours", guess he thought since so many exist, why worry about one. I believe every cat/ animal has but one life and that matters. That's why I can't eat meat. -  When it rains, a road with a sandy surface for centuries always got very muddy in Kairouan and walking along there  you had to be very careful not to get your clothes dirty. A couple of years ago at long last the town got the road tarred. In Souse one  road with a fair amount of traffic has many holes which some folks filled with sand. Works well as long as it doesn't rain, on account of this some holes are now more or less filled with small stones. Much remains to be done and funds are obviously limited. The streets are congested with traffic, surprising so many can afford a new, often expensive car, unfortunately usually a Diesel, as we know this is not good for the environment, the same applies to those motorbikes. Difficult situation as folks here simply love the sound of running engines and the smell of exhaust gas, therefore the driver very rarely switches off the engine when he takes a short break of let's say 5 to 30 minutes. Strange, some guys complain about "too expensive petrol/ diesel".  A lot of education is needed here to make citizen understand they are also contributing to the change of climate, making life difficult for themselves, their offspring and others and last, not least, exhaust gases are not good for ones health. Viewing people/ whole families on a motorbike without any protection whatsoever, some young men even topless, regarding their bare skin to be enough protection ("real strong men") makes me wonder, do they care for their health? May be it's just that feeling of total freedom, live wild, die young. Good night and good luck!

What we can learn from Cats

 Cats are modest, happy with some food, water, shelter, a bit of care, attention. How much do we need to be contend? They are grateful, not premeditated and have respect. When two tomcats have "an argument" (gets a little noisy), they accept me as "mediator" and take a piece of food to calm down. Children asked me: "Do you speak to cats?" Yes, I do and they more or less understand what I'm saying, maybe more the tone of my voice than my words, though several words they obviously do understand. Sometimes cats close their eyes when I speak to them gently, seem to enjoy it; they recognise and appreciate love and affection, their love is honest, their purring relaxes me, my joy and reward. Stroking a cat is a good way to reduce too high blood pressure  (common medical problem here). Cats don't judge other cats or human beings by their looks. Beauty is only skin deep, as the British say and this is also how cats value it, physical beauty is of no importance, if your character is ugly, you are ugly. Cats don't practise racism, since all human beings have common ancestors from Africa, it doesn't make sense anyhow, not just for cats. The cats in Tunisia often have problems with their eyes, watering through too much sun, one or both eyes kind of "sealed", when I treat their eyes, clean their ears and/ or nose, it is unpleasant for them, not always necessarily understood but accepting me doing this proves their tolerance of my "strange ways". Are cats more tolerant than we are? They need a lot of it to live with us. Our hearing is poor in comparison to theirs, these extreme loudspeakers that our so popular at outdoor celebrations must be hell for them. Cats are successful vermin-destroyer. Do we thank them? Back in history folks used to, in some countries it was a crime to kill a cat, kids here frequently have a disturbed relationship concerning cats. I viewed little girls and teens being even frightened, reacting as if they are monsters. Why, what happened? When I pick up one of Jasmina's kittens for a brief treatment, she from time to time makes me understand that even though she's got a big family (6 children), this doesn't mean she is willing to let me have one of them. Great Mummy. Love and education for children, this too some parents can learn from cats. By the way, cats love playing football too, on the ground or thrown in the air - with 4 legs they have different possibilities - and they play without yelling, that's great. Is it because they are happy and contend with so little?

Social Behaviour of Cats

Cats are individuals and not as subservient as dogs that is why some folks prefer dogs. What we have in common with animals is the influence of parents behavior and other experience on the character. Jasmina (I mentioned her before) has raised 4 lovely kittens now approx. 8 months old and still very detached to their caring Mum. She surprised me with another pregnancy while still living with her 5 months old kittens. Two months ago she gave birth to 4 little ones,  of which 2 died for unknown reasons, the other 2 are fit. Jasmina continues to give milk from time to time to her older kids with which she made more fuss when they were still baby kittens, than which her second lot, a more relaxed mum now. Don't human beings behaved likewise? Experts say that is why the first born is often more intelligent than his/her brothers and sisters. They are a lovely big family who care for each other and Mummy is always prepared to defend all of them. Another cat mother, three-colored Amira (our first Tunisian cat, mentioned before) had 4 kittens, tomcat Tiger, his sisters Bijou, Sandy, Sollie. Though born on the same day, they presumable have different fathers (not a problem for cats), and look differently. Sandy has golden colored and white fur and amber colored eyes. She tends to panic quickly. Amira was a great Mum, yet once her children were grown up and she fell pregnant again, she changed her manners and now doesn't like her children all that much, I guess nature thus ensures that they'll be space for the new generation. When we had her operated (family planning forced on her), we were not aware that she was already pregnant again). Now Amira has problems with her son, tiger (looks a bit like one, but usually very gentle), who sees in her the "woman" while she doesn't want "an affair" with her son. So we try to separate them and now she spends most of her time with Sandy who unfortunately sometimes gets hit by her mum. This may explain why Sandy doesn't like other cats very much, nor people. She only loves me and would be very happy to live with me as my "only child". For years I did actually live with just one cat at a time, worked well. The way it is now wasn't planned, simply a changed situation, many  wouldn't be alive any more without my "asylum". But I must stress I've reached my maximum and my big cat family made it quite clear, we are many and can't accept any further additions. Besides, it's getting rather expensive, food, medication, vet, family planning........ while my neighbors appear to think I must be rich, plenty of savings in the bank so I afford to provide food for their cat or dog, help the poor..... I would like to support the stray cats, living in the neighborhood - my true neighbors - even more, but I am limited. Feeding them very early in the morning, I really enjoy, folks sleeping, no kids yelling and running around like lunatics, great, makes it worth getting up even earlier than during my working life. They all eat up - as parents tell their children in Germany, don't leave food on your plate and then the sun will shine - works well here. Later on it would be nice to keep a bit of food outside in a bowl, but the bowl gets broken by hooligans or stolen with the food to feed their dogs. Though I like dogs as well, they usually don't mix with cats and I can't afford to feed them as well, besides, hooligans like to use dogs to chase cats. Not easy to live among the ignorant. My 4-legged neighbors have increased in numbers, but they don't - perhaps being aware that supply is limited - accept new comers from further than a certain distance. Some are gentle with baby cats not belonging to their family, while others chase them away. As I said, cats are individuals!

Postscript A different Mentality

The bricklayer who just finished his job, had his motor-bike stolen. He asked us to lend him money for a short period so that he can buy another one. This we did. A little while later we had another smaller job for him and suggested deducting the money from the sum he owed us, thought he would be happy with the offer, but no, he advised us he can't offered to do so,  if he works he needs to be paid for it directly! We finally had our money paid back after one year. Later on we found out that several people prepared to help, never got their money back. So we should consider ourselves lucky! Such experiences are not helpful to create a good society where not everyone asks what his/her profit will be. - Someone from the neighbourhood (don't know the family) wanted to celebrate outside along our house a wedding and requested we remove the heap of sand from our pavement to a place further down the road in front of a ruin. This we had to decline for health reasons. We finally agreed they do this themselves and return the sand onto our pavement once the celebration is over. We should have known better, they couldn't be bothered to return the sand to its previous place and a fair amount got stolen. The place where the sand was placed looked like an invitation to do so. We are blessed with very interesting neighbours, another one attempted to educate me down to his level and even invented regulations that no Tunisian ever heard of, just for me. He strongly believes in double standards. - The power supply company, STEG, send a message on mobile phones, suggesting to reduce the consumption, yet they waste electricity, too many street lamps, making nights as light as days, thus encouraging even very small kids to play football out on the streets until well after midnight. Don't say it's for security reasons, robbery happens also at broad daylight and hooligans don't mind the extra illumination. What is keeping me here? For one thing I don't want to leave those beautiful lovely cats unprotected and in addition  I haven't lost hope yet that it will get better and Tunisia can be great, some need to be pushed in the right direction  and the ignorant require a lot of patience and education. Hopefully folks here will also learn that exhaust gases from cars and motor-bikes are harmful to the environment, at present they seem to enjoy the sound of running engines (like music?) quite unnecessarily while parking for up to 10 minutes or even longer!

A Different Mentality

A philosopher sitting near a crossroad. A pedestrian walks up to him and enquires: "Please tell me, what are the people like in that village over there?" The philosopher answers: "What are the people like in your village?" Reply: "They are helpful, honest, hospitable folks with dignity and respect." The philosopher: "I am happy to advise you you will discover that the citizens of that village over there are just like that." A little while later another man arrives and asks the same question. The philosopher inquirers as before: "What are the people like in your village?" This time the answer is different: "They are thieves, thugs, liars, hostile and have neither dignity nor respect." This time the philosopher says: "I am afraid you will discover that the inhabitants of that village over there are just the same." -                         This little anecdote reflects my attitude until I came here and got confronted with a mixture of envy, hostility, disrespect, lies, psychoterror as well as kindness, politeness, culture, dignity and respect. The majority of the children/teens here were either very young, approx. 10 years old, or born during/just after the revolution. Did this make them so angry, aggressive, unstable, seemingly without a trace of culture, respect? Quite a few houses that their family wouldn't be able to buy nowadays, were obtained by their grandparents at a low price from people leaving Tunisia (mainly French folks). Are persons from the neighbourhood trying to make us give up and sell our house at a low price? I've been asked several times: Are you going to leave? I know quite a few expats who did. They said this is no longer my country. I can't live with those ignorant people. Very sad, Expats are - though not appreciated - important for the economy. Yesterday I overheard a conversation: Why are these plants smashed (meaning mine behind a metal barrier) ? Answer: Ha Ha Ha, Alemania! The next day I discovered a couple of buckets of water had been thrown in addition onto my cactus plants, an attempt to make sure they all die/rot. Prior to that my blinds had been cut, just for fun. Flower plants have been cut or stolen before and were therefore replaced by cactus plants. These young men can do so with impunity, they are well aware of this! If you ask who did this? They either pretend youngsters whose names they don't know as they don't come from the direct neighbourhood, or small children who can not be held responsible. If policemen would take the trouble to come here and do some questioning, they would quickly get all the names of those concerned, as they are cowards. This may seem to be a trifle matter, but success (like driving us and other expats out off Tunisia) makes these guys feel strong, is that what the Revolution was for? A selfish elbow society, no respect, no empathy, unattractive for tourists? By the way, there are many complaints in Germany about this new generation of Tunisians intending to settle there, that they often show no respect and believe they can ignore the local laws and regulations. They give Tunisia a bad reputation, ignorant as they are. A German detective was asked how he would judge the co-operation with the North African police. He replied: "We like to solve problems quickly, they don't want to make any mistake and therefore work very slow. I've come to the conclusion that if you want to live here, it helps to have a thick skin and are at least a little bit deaf. And yes, you should be hopelessly optimistic.

Renovation and other Fun

The house we bought in Souse was in a bad state, being no experts we did not notice all of it straight away, yet 'Arab style', with a terrace in the middle and on top (flat roof, iron spiral staircase) had its charm. The bath tube obviously needed replacing, the free standing handbasin was nice before it had been wilfully smashed, presumable by the tenants who left with unpaid electricity and water bills. We had some difficulties finding a suitable house, people promising more than they could keep. I decided it would be easier to live among educated people - this we were told would be the case here. At the time we were not aware that the folks around this part of Town will promise you anything, they just don't care. If you fall for it, your problem! Another mistake we made, we thought it would be appreciated if we, as good neighbours, employ tradesmen from the neighbourhood. We help them and they would be reliable and try to do a good job in return. How do you find good craftsmen? On recommendation? That turned out to be our biggest mistake! The person who recommends another person takes money of him for getting him a job (which will be secretly added to your bill), whether he is any good or just hopeless, doesn't matter at all usually. Now, if you happen to employ a little Mafioso, chances are good he'll recommend more guys just like him. They'll take what they can get. If you are new here, great, wait for surcharges and all sorts of tricks! Even, straight, in the middle, if you really need such a performance, you better watch the 'craftsman' and tell him: no, that is lop-sided, too much to the left/right side, it should be in the middle, etc. The date and time you agree for the works to commence, well you can be pretty sure that nobody will turn up, no phone call and possibly no one answering the phone when you try to find out what happened! Perhaps you have even been persuaded to make an advance payment for material or because you have sympathy with the poor guy and his sad story/fairytale. If you now get worried, you need to be. Maybe you never see him again, or if you are lucky, at a much later date, following several more meaningless arrangements (rendeous-vous Arab). There is a simple reason for all this, the tradesman tries to find as many customers as possible and pretends that he is available straight away, at the desired time. Those who have given him an advance payment will be served last, where more money is yet to come is more interesting. Labour is cheap but so is the performance and if you need to get a job done three times in order to achieve a more or less acceptable result, it's not that cheap after all. - Our hot water boiler, approx. 6 months old, didn't function properly anymore. We decided to employ another expert, (not happy with the previous one) he recommended that we buy a new one and he would repair the one we got, sell it for us and then contact us. The one he fitted works okay, but he never phoned back! When we finally managed to reach him, his fairytale went like this: "It was beyond repair, some parts were not original, it exploded, but next time I'm near your place I can give you 10 Dinar (approx. 4 Euro), in the meantime, can you lend me 200 Dinar?" The cheek of it, an insult to any educated person. By the way, don't trust bills for material bought by your temporary employee. Shops often offer a rebate, or he may have used another trick so you pay too much. Honest people do exist of course, we just encountered too many of the wrong type. Very disappointing! Anyhow, with all sorts of problems, moisture in walls, ceiling, floor, plus the usual works when you renovate an old building, we employed many tradesmen, made a lot of presents, including to the kids from the neighbourhood (and I mean a lot!) and in return received stones, wilful damages to our property, either because of envy or youngsters just feeling hostile towards 'foreigners'. Such behaviour won't make them rich, but as we never see any policemen around here, for whatever reason, they can feel strong and 'on the right track'. I've come to the conclusion, if you want gratetude, love, get yourself a cat or a dog.

What we don't need

There is so much totally unnecessary noise here which makes everybody nervous and many a bit deaf. You rarely hear kids talk normal, or should I say yelling is normal in this quarter of Souse? At present we have a lot of wedding celebrations, out in the open, often with life music, loud enough for the deaf to enjoy it too. I felt sorry for those celebrating on the square where 2 garbage containers are normally standing (women from houses facing this area constantly try to keep it clean, chapeau), on the occasion pushed to one corner, still pretty close to seated guests, yet people dumping their household waste, that from the garden, etc. not only into the containers but also around it, quite a lot, like they are used to. So sad. In another area I watched a butcher dumping into a container large lumps of raw meat that he transported in a big plastic tub, just like that, looked like half a cow being disposed in an open garbage container. - Yesterday a teen said to me, out of the blue, next to my house: Get lost! I replied: this my house. He maintained the one next door belongs to his family. I know it's a lie. What is going on in the heads of these disturbed children? A little later a young man, a quiet pleasant person, without any obvious reason (is that needed around here?) suddenly got beaten and kicked by one teen, 2 others joining in, fell down onto the street, knocked out, unconscious. Screaming women appeared and some men. They poured water over him, trying to re-animate him, in vain. He was brought into hospital. The staff declared, at present we have no doctor at work, take him home. (No doctor, not even on call? In case of an emergency just hard luck?) The family insisted that he remains in hospital in view of his condition. He woke up next morning and a thrombus was discovered in his head. Now the brawler's mother is trying to persuade the victim's parents not to go to court. I know the rowdy and his pals as angry young men, full of aggression, something needs to be done before it's too late. Finding an excuse for whatever children/teens get up to doesn't mean you care for them, they need to learn the right values, respect, empathy and to control their aggressions. By the way, the kid who said "get lost" to me, doesn't even live in the direct neighbourhood. We don't understand why these hooligans are daily meeting in front of our house, frequently leaving sunflower shells on  the ground and other rubbish as their "markings". Various folks stated they wouldn't let their children play and mix with the terrible children that come here. Heaven knows why here and not in front of their houses. One boy had an explanation: the neighbours don't like it. Cheers!

Postcript Why it matters

I don't know whether some folks were always the way they are now or, if not, what made them like that. Certain behaviour I never encountered in the past, like when it comes to fetching a taxi. Though there appear to be a large number of them, not an easy task. I remember seeing in Muenster (Germany) a poster showing a bus full with passengers and a motor-vehicle column to demonstrate how many additional cars would be on the road if each person sitting in a bus would drive by car instead. On various occasions young folks (mainly) snatched the taxi we actually stopped. One woman entered the taxi we finally managed to get (after nearly one hour) and said: "Let's share it, we must help each other." Okay, sounded reasonable.  Another woman got into a taxi in which I was already sitting and insisted it's her taxi. Since she wouldn't listen to any reason and the driver appeared to be helpless, I left it to her. Today we stopped a taxi and as we were telling the driver our destination, a woman appeared on the other side of the road, swearing at the driver, advising him to kick us out and take her instead, as it was "her taxi". He was not impressed/ not amused by her! Another case of not America, not Tunisia, but "Me first"? In Great Britain where I lived for several years, you can find real gentlemen and ladies with refined manners (some folks changed following the 'Brexit', unfortunately) and I some times wonder, had Tunisia been a British colony....... Perhaps not nice of me to think like that, yet on various occasions I miss good manners and even though one is constantly asked here: how are you, I can't help but feel this politeness is just superficial, most of the time (a bit French style?). I remember Tunisian folks being very charming, beautiful broad smile, rare nowadays. The other day when I offered a woman that she'll be severed first, she looked so surprised and then thanked me with that catching gorgeous smile. Please let us have more of that, make Tunisia beautiful again. Let us show respect and consideration for each other.