Making Ends Meet

Teacher: "What would you like to be when you are grown up?" 1st Student: " Street vendor, just like my dad." 2nd Student: " A lawyer, just like my dad." 3rd Student: " A doctor, just like my dad." 4th student: "A burglar." Teacher: " I beg you pardon?" Student : " Well, just like my dad!"  -  A taxi stops in front of our door. Visitors? No, folks around here according to an unwritten law ask their taxi driver to always stop in front of our house (then they disappear in all 4 directions.) While the passengers slowly get their money out, wait for change, remove their bags and luggage, the driver of course keeps the engine running. For unknown reasons this seems to be yet another unwritten law, let your car/ motorcycle engine run idle, even while doing a bit of shopping (e.g. something to drink or some bred).  Air pollution by the way caused 50.000 deaths in Great Britain and it is against EU law to let the vehicle engine run idle. Air pollution effects the lungs, heart, etc and experts discovered it reduces the intelligence of children when pregnant women were exposed to a lot of air pollution, it also increases the risk of dementia. Luckily Tunisians are immune to all that  including  cancer etc. Why I have started to cough a lot I don't understand. By the way, we watched a mother with 2 children getting out of a taxi. As one of her sons likes to frequently yell at ear-splitting level alongside our house, we thought this is a chance to address the problem, only to be advised that this can't be, as her son (6 years old) attends school from morning until evening 6 days a week. Poor boy, sounds like a 48 hours school week while other children fairly often are send home after an hour or two or have no lessons, while teachers are yet again on strike. - Prises keep rising, various products 3 or 4 times last year and again in 2019, altogether between 30 and 50%. This concerns local as well as imported goods. Some have more or less already disappeared from the shelving's. Looks like not the buyers but the wholesalers decide what you can take home. I remember a time when poor folks not only couldn't afford to buy meat, even eggs rarely landed on their table (it was when Ben Ali was still dictator), now egg prices are said to be rising again, at least bred remains cheap. Hopefully lessons from history are learnt here (bred and games for the people, as the Romans knew already). Strange, the instruction leaflet for medicine produced in Germany (e.g. Micardis) is in Arabic and French while another one made in Tunisia (e.g. Triatec) is in English and French, a long list of possible side effects (several of severe nature).  I presume folks who require medicine here can read English and/ or French well enough not to require information in Arabic! Anyhow this reminds me of a pharmacist who stated he would prefer if no leaflet was provided for the patients, it only confuses them and they may feel inclined not to take their medicine. Frankly I prefer to judge myself whether I rather live with my illness or with possible grave lasting so-called side effects. The said pharmacist by the way recommended to buy 3 month's supply of Triatec (maybe difficult to obtain at a later date....). When his customer objected, "not sure it agrees with me, haven't tried it yet", he advised: "it is a good product with hardly any side effects."- My husband was approached several times by men he only knew from sight, stating that they come from the same town as he does, they need money for an expensive operation, if he would contribute with at least 100 Dinar, a peanut sum for him..... Sounds interesting, wonder where they get their information from, must ask my husband where he keeps his hidden treasures. If you don't know whom to support, don't know any poor persons, here you can find guys willing to help you. In the meantime discovering that I am forced to spend more and more on food, medicine and vet/ dental treatment doesn't make me rich (contrary to what some believe), but I cannot let those gorgeous little darlings down. They reward me with their trust, respect and love, so precious. In order to make ends meet maybe I can eat less bred?

Irresistible little Tigers

Young lad: "When these cat babies are still in the womb of the cat mother, don't they scratch her?" There are many things in life one doesn't really need, cats are necessary, I believe. Of the normally 4, sometimes 6 kittens, usually 1 resembles the mother, the others are a mixture and proof the  lady cat got more frequently engaged than just once. Amira e.g. has a streamed boy, Tiger,black, brown and white, a golden- yellow girl, Sandy, another one white with golden coloured patches, Soleigh, and one girl resembling mummy, Bijoux, 4 colours: white, brown, black and golden-yellow. Most cats have white "socks and bib". I would lie if I would say they all get on well with each other, like us they make friends with some cats and don't seem to like others for no obvious reason. Some are gentle and appear to be liked by all, never willing to fight, let cats even steal their food, while others quickly get jealous. In a group you may even find some kind of bullying for unknown reasons. Several are happy to belong to a cats' community others, though, would prefer to be an "only child".  Sandy is like that. She loves to sleep next to me.  I don't know how she does it, but I often wake up holding her in my arms.  Her brother, Tiger knows the same trick, but being 'a gentleman' he makes space for her and sleeps at my feet, whenever she wants. A fostered cat can afford to be less grown up than those that are homeless. Previously I only had experience with male cats, not by choice, it just happened to be like that. As my 4-legged family got bigger, I decided to have only the males operated (family planning and avoiding the marking of their " hunting area", my house, with urine). The advantage: avoiding the bigger and more expensive operation as well as the poor female getting partly shaved (hair growth again at a slow speed). I wasn't aware of the females' suffering while "on heat". Kitty sits on the roof terrace, looking down and calling, on the search for a fiance. She twice managed to even get out on the street , hiding underneath cars. Not so easy to get her indoors again. She expressed her dislike by scratching me, just as well I don't intend to enter a beauty competition in the near future, besides I am married already and my cats don't care for my looks. They'll cuddle with me and my husband anyway. Fancy having breakfast with 2 or 3 cats on the lab? They enjoy it and so do we. It would be nice to let cats out on the street and have their adventure, but there is a high risk of them getting run over by cars, I viewed this happening to a lovely baby cat and two adult ones, it was horrible. Four accident victims are living with us now. We managed to reduce the cases of kids throwing stones at cats, kicking or hitting, but it still happens. Some with a twisted sense of humour think it's funny to have a dog chase cats. Only the other day I told a young man that at his age he can be expected to use his brain and stop leading his big dog towards the cats, several sitting in front of my entrance door. He was trying to tell me the dog is a gentle female and likes cats, would never do them any harm. The dog's reaction was quite a contrast to these words, growling and pulling hard, wishing to chase my little treasures. Amira used to be a street cat, on the few occasions when she goes out now she has enough of the street after two minutes. Cats here learned to mistrust and fear children, which I don't consider a normal cats' reaction otherwise. The usual ear-splitting yelling of the kids makes me nervous, it must be torture for cats' ears. Most people either got used to it or they have given up. I've been told not all cats I feed are necessarily homeless, some clever folks save money that way. From time to time my plastic bowl with croquettes gets stolen either by cat or dog owners.  At least it still serves its purpose as animal food and I learned already quite a while ago that it is better not to put a nice potery bowl outside. And yes, I have to keep an eye on my expenditures, I would love to do so much more, cats are a special gift from heaven. They have a lot of love to give and they are grateful and modest, we can learn from them. 

My Mischievous "Children"

When a young lad was advised that if a cat puts her ears flat to the back this means she is not happy, maybe even angry or frightened, he enquired: If I push her ears to the front again, will she then be happy and relaxed?
My Persian (Tunisians call her "Turkish") cat, Amelie, sounds like a bird but she knocks at the door like a man! In the beginning I wondered whether we have a visitor that I wasn't informed of. Adele can imitate the "wuff" of a dog. Diana sounds a bit like a goat.  All have their own individual voice, some high, some deep but none so deep as my late Mucker. He used to climb over my desk through the window on to the balcony. Then he would wait behind the balcony door and demand to be let back in. This he would repeat several times and when I got tired of his game he would be annoyed. One day I had an argument with my husband and Mucker decided to "threaten" him. So sweet my little "iron knight", we both had to laugh. Bijoux discovered how to open the kitchen door, jumping on a cupboard allows her to reach the door handle. I am now waiting for her to learn how to close the door again. As Felicitas and Bijoux suffer from kidney troubles, the vet recommended special croquettes, unfortunately, but not surprisingly, rather expensive. It turned out to be really delicious for cats and all want a share. This we have to deny them and take care the croquettes remain for our two patients, I therefore put a bowl with croquettes inside a round  plastic box with a lid, only to discover later on that this was opened and the contends got "stolen". The strong plastic bag containing most of the three kilo food I had closed with a rubber band, this my cats did not remove, but they slit an opening instead. Cats of course don't steal, helping themselves is a measure nature taught them in order to survive. Anyhow, the vet provided us with a strong square plastic box designed for this type of food and difficult to open. We are so far happy with this solution, our mischievous "children" are not. As all their meals are otherwise secure, they mustn't grumble. Sliding wardrobe doors are great fun, if there isn't enough space to climb inside, not a problem, why not throw out pullovers, t-shirts or other clothing, that can also be fun. So I can't get bored. My little treasures have plenty of ideas. They love to play with balls, football shooting with one of the four legs or handball (leg ball). When I throw a ball in the air, my cats will jump up trying to catch it. Tennis balls create a sound they enjoy. There is nothing like a purring cat thus saying, I am happy to be with you. Adele and Eileen play with other female cats "husband and wife", chasing, jumping on the back, love bite and then just cuddling and more cuddling and more cuddling. Impossible not to love these beautiful fur angels.

Postscript Time to Celebrate?

Crowds of students in front of a school, teachers once more on strike. On the radio a mother complains, at another school only three students turned up and the teachers send them home, her son is fed up with no lessons and wants to give up school all together. So many strikes, so long holidays, many fear this will result in a lost generation, lacking too much education. Private schools an alternative that many can't afford. Who can take exams? Kids roaming the street, do they know values, respect? Can't be an easy job to teach them. Those with ignorant parents are especially misfortune. Frustration is a bad teacher. Maybe not surprising that most plants in front of a school are either broken or torn out all together. - We  have send a small Christmas present (105 Dinar =  30 Euro) to Germany, via express (29 Dinar) in order to get it there in time. Presents up to a total of 45 Euro (including postage) can be send free of charge for the receptor. We were therefore unpleasantly surprised to hear from our nephew that import tax and customer duty were claimed of him, approx. 35 Euro. What was that? Should his present be bought a second time, this time by he himself? Are we not allowed to make a present?  I found out that as no "bill of freight" (Frachtbrief) was attached, the transport fee was estimated to be double that what we actually paid. A bad joke. So if you want to send a tiny light present to Germany, don't forget to attach a bill of freight and make sure you don't exceed 45 Euro ..
By the way, at the post office in Tunisia customers authorities also have a counter and you have to show them your open parcel for checking. So every package states the correct contends. It is rather surprising (putting it mildly) that in this day and age Germany is not in a position to use a correct valid list of postage charges to work out whatever figures need to be added to the stated value of a parcel - should a "Frachtbrief" (sounds big) not be attached. I've got a fair idea now of what lies ahead for poor Great Britain with their Brexit. 

Time to Celebrate?

The so-called Jasmin Revolution started 8 years ago, on the 14th of January, while many regard the revolution as a reason to celebrate, even more feel that not enough has been achieved, or believe life was easier during Ben Ali's regime. Strange, lately some claim the street vendor who started it all off by burning himself ,was actually an alcoholic. As no such assertion was made at the time and for a long time there after, one can regard this as fake news spread by folks with very personal interests. In addition we have countries under a dictatorship rule where those in government would like to see a failed democracy in Tunisia, as they fear the people in their country would want democracy also. I frequently hear: we had more money, we could afford more, buy meat, etc and Ben Ali only took from the rich.... Well, what did he do for the country? Did he build waste disposal or water treatment plants? Did he develop the poor parts of the country, what did he do for the south? Why did he focus on the capital and the coastal areas? Doesn't the south also belong to Tunisia? - The purchasing power has fallen by 40 % since 2014, last year the prices of many products have gone up 3 or 4 times, thus for some of us no longer affordable. One can get by with very little money, but one still needs money. It helps to be flexible. One guy past retirement age e.g. carries out the flowing tasks: unblocking sewage pipes, gardening works, selling raw pastry, collecting plastic for recycling and old bred for animal consumption, beating the drums during Ramadan ("last meals").  Holidays for tourists are offered at unbeatable low prices. With tourists returning there is hope for more employment. The hotels are excellent, the service is good and tourists are really welcomed. Restaurants, small shops of various types, including several in the Basar, have closed and some are slowly opening up again. The beach has very fine sand, the weather is usually good. Unemployment is still high, not just among the uneducated but also among those with a university diploma, really depressing and no encouragement for kids to study. And they really need good raw models. I feel sorry for neglected children, often belonging to big families, the street is not a good teacher. A little boy, approx. 5 years old addressed me in vulgar English. I said: "Oh my god.". He repeated this several times. Shortly afterwards he had a fight with another boy of his age. When the other kid fell on the pavement (no real injury), he again said: "Oh my god." Maybe I ought to teach these children some different idioms. Teachers appear to be more or less constantly on strike and ignorant parents all too often don't understand their responsibility for the siblings' development. So sad, viewing kids damaging or destroying what doesn't belong to them. Usually noone will ask them to make good again, thus it appears to be okay. "They are children, you have to accept it." One of the most stupid sentences I hear and it is very rare to have anyone advising the kids to stop screaming, constant screaming. For them it is normal, what do they do when they genuine need help?

Postscript A Cat's Life Ain't easy

In paradise cats can talk like human beings and they will testify who treated them well and who abused them, a man told us. Many Muslims believe paradise is open for those (including Christians) who care for cats/animals. Mohamed advised: " Have sympathy with the animals on earth than Allah will also have sympathy with you. Christians say: God stated human beings should dominate the world. This gives a lot of scope and doesn't necessarily mean treating animals well, yet millions do (while others exploit shamelessly). I read baby cats that grow up without mummy cat, don't receive the necessary education and become difficult. From my experience I can not confirm this. Providing they are not too young when they are separated (in which case they may not even survive), if they are treated well, baby cats grow up to be lovely gentle cats. They instantly use the provided toilet, keep themselves neat and clean, love to cuddle and purr when they see their foster parents, favourite seat the lap. I often have 3 on my lap, 1 at my side, 1 at my feet and 1 above my head. My late Filou used to wait until I fall asleep and then lay down on my belly with his 5 kilos, which mend waking up with a lot of weight on me. He was very special, used to open doors, including my fridge,  knew in advance his vet's appointment and went hiding, (my friends joked: don't let him check your diary) quite a character, a great loss. Bijoux and Felicitas suffer from kidney problems. Luckily the vet has croquettes available, developed to help with this sickness, but the food is imported and not exactly cheap. The croquettes appears to be delicious and smell just right (for cats). All are interested and I have to insure that they remain for my sick ladies only. My "Kratzbaum" is a dead tree covered by rope and created to help cats with their claw care. From time to time I have to ask them not to confuse me with their tree. Several cats discovered that door curtains pushed to one side and fixed in a lope, make good hammocks. Whenever  I am a few minutes late with serving cats' breakfast, my lovely homeless guests call me, "singing": we are hungry, hungry.....", so I better not oversleep. My husband remarked that he has never before viewed so many very beautiful cats as in Sousse. In Germany they would be expensive and surely not homeless. Jewelry on the street. Baby Sina (the only surviving one of 4 cats that were one day left in front of my door) calls me and comes running. She's so sweet, adorable. My little treasure.

A Cat's Life isn't Easy

Looking for food, water and shelter young kitten Janina one day discovered my "cats' table". Most of my regular guests accepted her and she decided it's a good place to stay. She demonstrated this by remaining in front of my entrance door and trying to gain access. This I refused on account of my already big fury family who also don't seem to be willing to welcome more newcomers. Not an easy decision for me. One day I discovered Janina suffered from a gum infection. Time to take her to the vet's. It turned out that the little darling had real problems, 5 tooth had to be removed, good grief, she's only 5 months old, the vet estimated.  There is a virus among cats that badly effects the eyes or the teeth. Their immune system appears to be often weak, here more so than in Europe. Winter with rather cold nights takes its toll, coughing and running noses are common. Very sad!  Anyhow I just couldn't put the poor girl outside again and she's so amazing. While we would be in a bit of a state after such an experience at the dentist's, little Janina appeared to be just fine, purring happily. The vet noticed that Janina reacted to me (when I came to pick her up after the operation) with a different voice. "Not the voice we heard before, very unusual". I am proud of my little new treasure and enjoy her company. After 15 days she will need a second injection from the vet, luckily she'll allow me to put her inside the transport box without making much fuzz. I'd wish all cats would be like that. - A woman addressed me: " Have you seen my cat? His fur is yellow. Does he come here for food?" I took her number and said I'd phone her if he turns up. Actually I phoned her twice but she didn't show up. No longer interested? I presume she thinks by drawing my attention to her cat she's done enough and I would take him inside. I am neither rich nor have I got a garden, park or farm. I would love to save all cats and other animals, but this is well beyond my capacities. This woman's poor cat has to cope with cold winter nights and no shelter. I discovered him in the neighbourhood on the roof of an empty house, not knowing how to come down, spending 2 or 3 days and cold nights there. He "talks" to me and complains about his hardship, finding himself suddenly homeless, at least that is my impression. So sad and I can only offer him food and water.  If I would take him inside my house my other tomcats would hit him, even some of my girls might not like the competition and he could make them pregnant (the "family planning operation" for the males costs 50 Dinar at present, for the females 95 Dinar). In addition I regard my in-door cats as a kind of family members, which includes that all medical costs are my responsibility. I'd wish I could do much more for my little treasures and also my homeless friends. I can't reduce my cat food costs, when these little darlings come running to me and look at me with so much trust and expectations in their eyes, how can I disappoint them? By the way, having the tomcat operated is not only one way to reduce the number of unwanted kittens but it also stops your tomcat marking his area (with his urine) and makes him more interested in staying indoors and cuddle with you. A cat's purring can help you to relax and lower a too high blood pressure and last not least prolong your life. Let us appreciate cats as a great gift from heaven.