Postscript Joy and Depression

 "Bad company corrups good manners." "Apprently  when you treat people the way they treat you, they get upset." "A cow that is in a hurry to go to America will return as Corned Beef."  Ubuntu African Proverbs    "Feed an animal and you feed your soul."  Charlie Chaplin                                                                                                                                                The  end of Ramdan (Eid Al-Fitr) celebration this year was a more quiet event in Tunisia, kids in the neighborhood received new clothes and several plastic pistols or guns, good imitations at first sight (not without risk) and this will soon end up in the garbage bin. Parents bought what their kids desired, thus no books instead. We didn't have much spring, when it tends to usually rain, looks like summer quickly follows winter. Still, we are lucky so far, temperatues didn't raise as much as in Spain, Portugal, Algeria and Marocco. - At the cats' RPA shelter in Sousse a few days ago a man arrived with a stick that had nails added. He started to attack cats and even the called police men, this enabled him to excape for the time being. The incident prooves that individuals who abuse/kill animals are dangerous for humans to. Looks like animal shelters here need cameras, high walls (I have seen kids less than 10 years of age climbing a 3 m high wall) and secrity guards, very sad. We also require good animal protection laws plus education of  ignorants, uneducated parents must understand their responsibility for their children. Giving them all liberties, allowing kids to roam the streets, expecting the street to "educate" the kids doesn't work and it leaves children deep down with the feeling that their parents don't care for them. We have a lot of school holidays but unfortunately very few  playgrounds, so they use the streets instead. Books don't seem to be in fashion, but balls of all sizes. Quite a few land on our roof where they can do more damage than on our neighbors' as we and our cats use it as a terrace. Tomcat Jeremy looked confused, I wondered whether he may have been hit by a ball. Times are very difficult but in particular for animals. Some ignorants envy them getting food for free, even though this is usually just pasta, occasionally with a bit of sardines, or some couscous that was left ever, probably spiced with hot and for animals unsuitable harissa. In view of some wicked folks poisoning cats and dogs, if I find food in my bowls outside, dropped by unknown persons, I throw it away. Better be safe than sorry. A woman travelled in a bus with a cat in a transport box, another woman laughed about her, not realizing that she herself is the stupid one. A German saying: "Stupid like bred." I hope she doesn't have children. What values would she teach them? Sad news, 258 million people in the world need food assistance, but there appears to be always enough money for weapons. Our world is not progressing in spite of increasing knowledge in various fields, brave new world. Greed and corruption are very destructive. Several staple food items remain scares, sugar, oil, flour, etc. (milk is available again), approx. 300 imported medicines for humans and animals, all of this is a global problem, effecting various countries. Even in Europe there is a shortage of important medication. Yesterday was world freedom of press day. In 70 % of 180 countries the situation is bad for journalists, they get harrassed, imprisoned, tortured and even killed. Last year 50 % more deaths were recorded. The best countries concerning freedom of the press are (in that order) Norway, Ireland and Denmark, Germany fell from place 16 to 21. Many dream of a better life in Germany and risk their life to get to Europe. Almost every day we hear of  boats accidents, several hundred deaths. The Mediterranean sea has become a grave yard. During the first quarter of the year already 12 000 migrants that arrived in Italy had set sail from Tunisia, compared to 1300 same period last year. Tunisian coast guards prevented 14 000 from setting off in boats during that time, last year, same period only 2900. I spoke with a young man with typical ideas, thinking Germany is a paradise with many possibilities, even for those with little  education and no qualifications. Perhaps marriage with a German girl will help and then he can support his family in Tunisia? Marriage for papers perhaps? I told him no, the new Tunisian generation has a bad reputation in Germany, many believe they maybe terrorists, or trick girls into marriage and then she would have to pay for him for 5 years, while he has no permission to work, unless she informs the (already suspicious) authorities that he misused her and then he will be deported. Such plans no longer work, besides, there aren't many jobs for those without qualifications, they are always the first ones to become unemployed. In addition, wages look good on paper, but taxes are very high, the health insurance is good but very expensive and mandatory, accommodations are extremely expensive, heating and electricity costs are high and so is food. When you hear how much you have to pay for bred, you won't believe your ears. Bad weather, freezing temperatures, icy roads, etc. are no excuse for not turning up for work. The best advise is to check on Internet which jobs are vacant on a bigger scale, see which qualification you can obtain occordingly and learn German. That way you may be able to get quite legally a visa and work permission without risking your life. But be aware, you are expected to work hard and be reliable, accept criticism and different customs and regulations. You won't see kids roaming the streets at night, can't play football in the streets, are expected to avoid noise, in particular after 10 p. m. and between 13.00 and 15.00 hrs. Much of what seems to be quite normal to you (bad habits), that folks more or less tolerate here, is forbidden. If you ignore citizens in Europe are likely to call the police and they will knock at your door. Academic specialists are welcomed and may see immigration as a change to earn more money, but this means Tunisia financed the education for a rich country. "Brain drain" if it happens on a big scale will in the long run have a negative effect on the country of origin.