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.