What you may or may not like

Errors don't just arise because one doesn't know certain things, but because one ventures to judge even though one doesn't know everything that will be imperative for this. (Immanuel Kant) -

Following the election of a new president, Saied Kais, a man regarded by all who know him as an absolutely honest person, there is hope Tunisia can tackle his problems of high unemployment, in particular among the academic, the young, rising

prises, low income, public debts, spread corruption, lack of animal protection, environmental problems on various levels, etc. Generally speaking folks here lack environmental awareness. Pavements are often kept clean by the house owners, but water and air pollution remain a problem. Many cheap, often plastic short- lived products are on sale. A larger variety of products than before the revolution exists, some are not always available, this also applies to food. Farm workers are badly paid (just like in too many countries all over the world) which led to a lot of folks looking for an alternative in another area, a shortage of staff for the harvest and a requirement of previously unnecessary imports. Folks complain they can't afford to pay for these, yet they travel by taxi not bike. Taxis are cheap but it all adds up, one can easily spend more on these than for a monthly bus ticket in e.g. a German town. The bus and train and non- private healthcare service is rather limited.

One doesn't see many smiling faces, was everything better in the past? Certainly not, but there is a lot of disappointment, more stress and depression, too much noise for my liking and that of expats in general, who learnt to appreciate silence, so relaxing and better for ones health. Even a small group of kids/youngsters can create ear-splitting noise. I then jokingly ask my husband: Are they continuing the revolution? It is sometimes difficult to know whether some people out on the street are just talking or having a quarrel. When it comes to a fight there are always persons from the neighbourhood's quick on the scene to stop it. That is what I like in this community. Whenever I address men who let their car or motorbike engine run idle, ask them why do you do this, pollute the air, every driver seems to do this, I can 't understand such behaviour, you have brains like children! They all apologise, no one got angry ever. A pleasant surprise for me. Actually some even leave their vehicle unattended for a few minutes, engine switched on, not thinking this might be seen as an invitation of a thief passing by. Life is full of surprises, never gets boring. Many in particular young men, feel disillusioned and are thinking of leaving Tunisia, believing they can find a better life in Europe. This means risking their life and even if they can make it, they won't find a paradise, far from it! Life in Europe can be quite hard, depressing and not at all what they are looking for. The open arm welcome vanished following terrorists' attacks and stupid behaviour of some North Africans possibly disappointed with their new surroundings and regulations.  Without a visa and a job waiting for you I would strongly advise not to start such a journey. Tunisia has yet much to offer and you know what? In Europe you can also see folks collecting bottles, only it is not in order to sell plastic but glass bottles returned for cash, refund of a deposit paid by the consumer. Some guys are also homeless there. While in more and more countries people want their often corrupt government to step down, Tunisians can hope to now get a positive change, but it won't happen over night. My advice to young frustrated hopeless feeling young folks: don't risk your life for an uncertain future in Europe, you may yet a chance here to contribute to a better Tunisia. As my husband put it: "I can no longer enjoy eating fish, too many corpses in the Mediterranean Sea."

PostScript Not all are the same

Thank heavens, Amira returned, a bit hungry and fairly tired. We are happy to have our "lost daughter" back. She looks neat and comes to cuddle. Some cats refer human company to that of  other cats. Is it the competition they don't like,  or having to share? Not all are the same, some little darlings cuddle with other cats, make friends and yet there maybe cats that they just want to chase away. Not unlike us, some folks we like at first glance and dislike others straight away, it may be only a feeling.

Frankly I felt depressed and disappointed when Amira walked out and disappeared for several days after living with us for eight years. In spite of having a community of many cats, everyone counts, all are different and have a great personality. Amira now demonstrates that she loves us too, Keen to cuddle and continue living with us, wonderful.

Not All are the Same

We first met Amira 2012, a gorgeous white, brown and black cat and it appeared to be love on first sight on all parties. Several cats came to our house, "introducing themselves" as possible new family members, at the time we just chose Amira. She loved climbing walls and onto roofs, no problem for her, only for me watching and worrying about her safety. She became quicker pregnant than anticipated and got "engaged" at least four times. Cats manage to have kittens of different tomcats born on the same day usually four or sometimes six, normally one resembling the mother. Amira allowed me to assist her, when in May 2013 Tiger, Bijoux, Soleigh and Sandy arrived. They were so cute and Amira turned out to be a great mum, providing her babies with a lot of love and care, watching them carefully and only interfering when necessary. A happy little family we were proud to have. As they grew older, Sandy showed a tendency to panic with bad weather (heavy rain, hail, thunderstorm). We decided to have Amira operated and the others when they are at the right age (family planning). During Amira's operation the vet discovered (unknown to us) that she was pregnant again. When Amira returned home she changed and didn't seem to like her kittens anymore. Did she intend to make them leave and make space for her new generation (unaware of having had her pregnancy terminated)? Or was it the shock of the operation forced on her? She started to fight with Sandy, to a lesser extend with Bijoux and fear her son Tiger. Him chasing her, because he saw her as the attractive female cat and she not wanting to get "engaged" to her son? We had to keep them separate. Whenever Amira went outside on the street she quickly returned and she didn't seem to find the street with all those cars, noisy motorbikes and lots of constantly yelling and stone throwing children very appealing. But life is full of surprises. Lately Amira went outside, disappeared for two days, returned, had some food and went again. Next morning she mixed with the cats that come to my "cats' table", protested when I took her inside and went out again. Now we haven't seen her for three days and this depresses me. What kind of food does she find, what shelter, does she observe the traffic, encounter disturbed kids? Honey goes out after breakfast, returns when she's hungry and always sleeps in our house. Why can't Amira do the same? We continue to hope for her return, those who have to sleep rough don't get old. Hopefully Amira is aware that she's got an alternative. We love her and I learnt a lot from her. While some cat mums always seem to enjoy the company of even their adult children, Amira appeared to prefer to be on her own. Maybe she only loves kittens while they  are small and little bundles of joy.  We often wondered  whether she was aware of which cats are her children. She seemed to "argue" a lot with Sandy, had started hitting her and one day Sandy began to hit her back. Looks like cats' behaviour is not so unlike that of humans. Perhaps Amira's strained relationship with Sandy made her decide to leave. Very sad. I haven't given up hope yet to have her return. - While we had reached a point where any more additions of little fur angels is no longer possible, a lady from Germany arrived with sweet Fritz asking for temporary shelter for him until her brother would pick him up within 4 or 6 weeks. That lady left a bit of food for Fritz, returned once more with additional food and that is the last I heard of her. Did she change her mind or did she trick me in order to find a home for Fritzchen? The other day a Tunisian lady tried in vain to persuade us to accept two baby kittens. We very much regret but we have reached our absolute limit and that is also how our little darlings feel, they don't want an even bigger family. Some have found a friend or several, others are not happy to see one or two of those present and I have to stop them fighting. Life isn't always easy and as nights are getting colder our little treasures will start coughing and sneezing, have their little noses running. I am afraid vaccination is too expensive for us, even though our vet would be prepared to offer this at a reduced rate to us.