Postcript Searching for Paradise

 "It is better to be unhappy and know the worst, than to be happy in a fool's paradise." Fyodor Dostoyesky.  "It is possible to love a human being, if you don't know them too well." Charles Bukowski. "The beauty of a woman may lead her to the palace, but her character will determine how long she will stay in the palace," Obuntu Proverb.               My idea of a paradise : Humans and animals peacefully living together without greed, envey and theft, instead lots of respect (for animals like in Turkey), free education and health service (like in Cuba), solidarity, dedicated teachers, empathy and love, nature protection. - Many, too many folks, from Africa and other parts of the world believe they may find their Paradise in Germany and risk their life to get there, illegally if legally isn't possible. They pay a very high price in more than one way, in various cases their family sell their house or borrow money for a very overpriced dangerous journey on usually overloaded, neither well equipped nor strong boats. The ship that lately sank near the Greek coast carried approx. 750 persons, about 100 children and woman, only 104 Men survived (among them 9 now arrested trafficers) . This could be "a wake up call", but unfortunately following a brief shock, it is unlikely to change much quickly. But is Germany really a paradise? With a good income you can live well (doesn't this apply to many places in the world?). Quite a bit is different from Tunisia in Germany nowadays, e. g. pavements are designed to protect pedestrians, not cars. I am here often under the impression that car parking takes first priority and therefore folks are forced to walk on the street as the pavement is blocked by various cars. Several house owners decided to block access to their pavement for cars, using bricks or perhaps tins filled with cement. Depending on where you live, it may attract kids looking for a seat to have a (often loud) chat with their friends, maybe until after midnight. Where children play football on the street, some of the access blocking bricks  may not last long . In Germany taxi fees and bred prices can knock you off your feet. School children being taken to school by taxi is pretty rare. Using loudspeakers suitable for a football stadium (not exaggerated, they are here quite common for private functions, often on streets blocked for such parties) is unimaginable in Germany and other European countries. - An Iman and a Bishop teasing each other,

talking about their dreams. The Bishop says that in his dream he saw the Moslems' paradise. It was lovely but very crowded and there was a strong smell of garlic. Replied the Iman: "Interesting as I saw in my dream last night your paradise. Lovely white fine sand beach (like in Tunisia), blue sea, beautiful flowers with a gorgeous scent, lovely butterflies and birds and not a soul there...." 

Searching for Paradise

 "Hell is other people" Jean Paul Satre.   "The paradise of the rich is made of the hell of the poor." Aldous Huxley.   "A great man is hard on himself, a small man is hard on others." Confucius.   " There is enough in this world for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed."   Frank Buchmann.   "Each generation must discover its mission, fullfil or betray it, in relative capacity."  Frantz Fanon.                                                                              Imagine you are living where other people are going for a holiday. Sounds like paradise? Well, there is the sea, a beech with very fine sand, lots of sunshine, historic sites, etc. But all is not perfect, those who have problems making ends meet due to unemployment and rising prices or think that the grass is greener at the other side, may be looking for a better life in another country. The world is changing, a perfect world doesn't exist. Those who dream of living in Europe, or more precise, in Germany, are most likely not to have the whole picture. While wages are much higher there, so are the various expenditures, often deductions of one third or even more than half the gross income: taxes, rental charges (not to forget the shortage of flats and houses for tenants), arbitrary social insurances like for health, unemloyment (benefits only if stipulations are fullfilled), old age pension, and then there are much higher prices for food, electricity, heating, water, fuel, transport, car and motorbike insurances (arbitary), clothes, household furniture and equipment - all of this eats up most of the average income. Prices just don't compare. Besides, there are not many jobs for folks with little or no education and in case of redundances those who were employed last lose their job first.  In addition employees have to turn up independent of bad weather and other possible obstacles.  Besides, one needs of course a work permit, without one it is almost impossible to find employment, and it is not helpful if you don't speak the language. Getting asylum granted is very difficult in particular for North Africans, authorities rarely believe the application is justified and in case of doubt consult experts of human rights organisations like Amnesty International. In Germany many more laws and regulations exist than in Tunisia. Quite a bit of what is tolerated here and seems to be normal for the less educated, is not allowed, against the law, e. g. a whole family travelling on a motorbike (perhaps even with a live sheep? ), riding the motorbike topless and or with beech sandals, riding a bicycle without light (also during the day, when light is not needed) , playing football on the road (but there are playgrounds and more football fields than in Tunisia) , very young children roaming the streets, here in some areas even on their own until after midnight, (there authorities would be regarding this as neglecting parental duties) blocking the road to have a celebration, loud repair works in and around a house after 22.oo hrs or on Sundays, making a lot of noise during "silent hours" (13 - 15 hrs), driving with cheap diesel that creates a black stinking very polluting cloud (regular exhaust gas controls are a legal requirement, in Europe folks are actually environmentally aware), speeding in dwelling areas, throwing stones in general and of course at cats and dogs (thank heaven animal protection laws exist), etc. school hours are longer, homework for school is normal, school holidays are less and much shorter, "Bakaloria" (Abitur) is more demanding. Kids and adults that have to get up early don't stay up all night, parents usually send their children to bed at set times so they get sufficient sleep, which is imporant for their mental and physical development. Doesn't sound like a paradise for children? Experts say that kids with too much freedom are not happier, but instead unconsciously feel that their parents don't really care for them. - I guess cats and dogs in Tunisia, in particular the so called "strays" and among them those that have been kicked out for convienence, don't make high demands on a paradise. They are happy if they find a bit of food, water, maybe medical help in case of need, a safe shelter, no abuse, respect and cuddling. - When Spanish invaders arrived in South of America, accompanied by

 Moncks who  tried to convince the exploited native Indians to become Christians and advised them that after death they would be rewarded with Paradise, the natives asked them whether this would mean sharing paradise with these Spanish people. Hearing yes, the Indians replied that they don't want such a hyaenaparadise, they definitely don't want to meet such horrible people again after death. 

 

Postscript It never gets Boring here

J

 "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the result of other people's thinking. Steve Jobs   " Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Benjamin Frankline.         " A successful man is the one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown  at him. " David Brinkley"  " The greatest glory in life lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."  Nelson Mandela                                                                                  A good start in the morning is when all my numerous adopted feral children and the regular guests to my Cats' Table are okay, just hungry as usual., so they of course come first, take first priority! Outside it is nice and quiet, just a car or 2 and maybe a motorbike passing, had enough of those  in particular the later, racing during the night. While in most countries citizens nowadays think about protecting the environment, energy reduction, avoiding pollution, it doesn't seem to be much of an issue in Tunisia, at least not among those who keep their distance to education. Their kids and youngsters like to ride a motorbike, just for fun. The black stinking cloud, the roaring noice most of all when speeding, they love it. While some  children in the neighborhood try to ride their bike with one wheel up in the air, therefore occasionally fall and make their comrades laugh (not without risks on the road), 4 teens, approx. 14 years old, now want more. The bikes have been exchanged for old motorbikes. I viewed 2 with a passenger on the back seat, doing their "artistic studs." In the beginning on a not quite so busy road, neverthe-  less nearly hitting a parked car and another arriving motorbike on the road, crushing on the street, but surprisingly without much injury and damage to their motorbike. Pity in a way, no lesson learned. Accustomed to no actions from adults, apart from the usual excuse: "they are children", these dare-devils now feel encouraged to try busy roads (no risk no fun). I fear innocent folks on the streets may become victims of these kids and their irresponsible games, further, it is highly unlikely that their parents or they themselves eventually would be able to pay for whatever injuries or damages they may cause.  Passing a school, the public area next to it is littered with rubbish, mainly papers and wrappings. This demonstrates the need to teach pupils basic manners, something they don't seem to learn at home. Instead of extreme long holidays, for the school-free days in my opinion some educated folks without a job  (don't need to have teachers' diploma) should be employed to teach responsible behaviour, respect for nature and animals, environnement protection). The whole nation would profit. ( Elderly folks call these kids the lost generation.) In addition it would be a good idea to  create teams of  school children (I refuse to call them" students") to collect their rubbish around their school (learning by doing). For unknown reasons usually homework is not a task demanded of them, unlike  Europe, so the boys can spend most of the day playing football or roaming the streets like some girls as well. When school is finished, they all rush out as if released "from prison", where they didn't waste much energy, by the look of it, now screaming and stone throwing. Some demonstrate the English they learned, calling me a bitch and advising me to f.... off. Well, "they are children......" and maybe when I first arrived here with several removal cardboard boxes full of presents for kids I didn't even know, they received a gift as well. - SONED, the tapped water suppliers, now turn off the water every evening until morning, at changing hours. It is mend to reduce the water consumption, which is too high in view of the dramatically falling present stock and insufficient rain.  Every day some chemicals are added to rinse the piping. That means when you turn on the tap the water looks milky and can only be used for cleaning. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to receive clean water again. Even this doctors advice not to drink. Anyhow, a high quantity of water gets wasted. In several areas, mainly in the south, citizens haven't received any household water for months. Having to buy water is an extra expence that in particular 

the poor could really do without. Hopefully water treatment plants will soon solve the problem. 

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It never gets Boring here

 "Every bird is a king in its nest." "Even if cats rain, black rat will go out in the night." "Examine what is spoken not who is speaking. "  "A person who is always alone is either a devil or a saint."    Ubuntu African Proverbs                                                                                    Our gorgeous cat mummy Fleur is amazing. Not only does she feed her milk to her friend's babies on demand, but also to a lovely little kitten living outside. Today I discovered her doing so and I guess she's been doing this for a while. Until a few weeks ago Fleur was "just a street cat" and regular customer to my Cats' Table, like her friend Rosy and up to 20 others, arriving every morning from all directions, (some stay nearby and receive more food during the day) punctually for their early breakfast. I don't know which cat informed them of the time and place. Anyhow, I am proud of my beautiful guests, they and my indoor big feral family give me a reason to get up every morning, even when I feel exhausted and "too sick" to kick myself out off bed.  Impossible to disappoint all those who look up to me with such a lot of trust and expectations in their lovely eyes. Sadly many kittens pass over the rainbow before even reaching an age of 2 or 3 months, inspite of loving mums doing their best. A poor immune system doesn't give them much of a chance. I decided to take inside the black and white kitten that Fleur decided to adopt. Now the other mothers, Rosy and Jane, are happy to offer their mummy milk also to this orphan. Could we learn from cats, be generous and help those in need? Not so long ago milk was difficult to obtain. Shopkeepers asked their customers not to buy more than 2 packs, some wanted as much as they can carry. Sugar has become an exotic item, a luxury that hasn't been seen on the shelves for long period. For unknown reasons easier to find in Kairouan than in Sousse, interesting, but on the other hand coffee is very expensive now and appears to be sold out in Kairouan. So perhaps folks in Sousse should exchange coffee against sugar? Present flour shortage could lead to couscous becoming the next special item we have to surge for, hopefully this won't happen to the national dish (in the whole of North Africa). Some citizens believe keeping a pet and feeding cats, dogs and strays is a luxury we can do without. Well, experts say that kids growing up with a cat or dog in the house (ideally regarded as a family member) learn responsibility, empathy, the importance of friendship and trust. Several guys think in view of our weak economy it would be better not to import food and other products for these animals. Caring for cats and dogs is a luxury we can do without. Really? They don't realize that a whole industry developed in this field. Not just veterinarians, pet shops, tinned food, croquettes and "salami" (sausages for animals, not suitale for human consumption), toilets, beds, medications, etc. - meanwhile produced also in Tunisia and creating many jobs. Besides, from European (mainly) and other countries a considerable amount of donations are sent to Tunisia. If you open your eyes you can see the most beautiful cats and dogs here, neat and modest, even those forced to live outside. Unfortunately their usually excellent manners makes it easy for wicked people to abuse and kill them. Hopefully we will eventually get good animal protection laws worthy of a modern country. I can live without various products, one can find alternatives or just do without, but I really miss good animal protection and noise restriction laws.