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. 

. 

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. 

Postcript Even Angels' Life ain't easy

Rosy,  dedicated mum. 

They passed over the rainbow, rest in peace, little darlings

Mummy Fleur
Tarecca, Masud and Justin cuddling with the babies, watched by mummy Rosy. 

"I would rather be among forest animals and the soud of nature, then among city traffic and the noise of man." Native American Culture.   " An ugly man does not look in the mirror he is comfortable with his looks." "A poor man acts richly to impress a woman and a rich man acts poor to test a woman." "Only a thief knows the footprint of a fellow thief on a rock surface." Obuntu Proverbs.                                                                                            The 3 cat mums are really great dedicated mothers, their babies are very demanding. Nevertheless, of Jane's 5 little ones 2 died, of Fleur's 4 babies 1 passed over the rainbow and of Rosy's 1 also. Sudden child death, happens as well to humans but to a larger degree to kittens due to their poor immune system here. In addition if the mother suffered from worms and didn't receive a worm cure, their babbies inherit worms, get diarrhea and are likely to suddenly pass away. By the way, anti worm tablets are okay for pregnant cats, I wasn't aware of this. But they taste horrible, even when crushed and mixed with a bit of sugar, mineral water added and sprayed into the mouth with a syringe. Several spit a lot out again or even vomit. Another problem is sealed eyes (not meaning the natural blindness during the first 10 days of their life), sometimes even pus in the eyes. Fleur and Rosy from time to time give milk not only to their own babies but also their friend's and their kittens now 7 and 6 weeks old, like to cuddle together. Jane's only 3 weeks old are still separated, their mum's decision. Shakira a young cat that doesn't seem to grow, remains dainty and kitten size, though several months old, likes to smuggle herself among Jane's babies, the little family accepts this without protest. Fleur decided that since her friend Rosy and I work as baby sitters, she can go outside for a few hours and take a rest from nursing. The babies seem to be happy with either mum. Every morning and evening before going to bed I check that all my adopted cats and babies are alive and well. Poor little treasures, I shall never understand why they have to suffer so much, they have so much love to give and certainly know gratitude. Some of my adult cats, even male ones, cuddle with the babies and they in return try to get milk of them. They allow them to suck. But there are also 2 or 3 of my older ferals that are not keen on the company of babies. Well, humans too don't always like children. A woman knocked at our door and asked my husband to temporarily provide a home for her 3 or 4 months old beautiful kitten, dark fur with reddish streaks. She said she's a teacher and needs to go to Tunis for a few days and when she returns will pick up the kitten, named Rcaja. She further stated she intends to get her cat vaccinated, spayed and neutered, food and any treatment the little one may need would  represent no problem for her. Since she drove a big car, my husband believed her and also as she left her phone number with him. On account of bad experience, folks using many tricks, I was suspicious, a big car could be borrowed, hired or even stolen, doesn't prove anything. So I was less surprised when that woman didn't turn up. When my husband phoned her, she asked first: "Who are you?" Then promised to come at a later day. Surprise, surprise, she didn't. Rcaja took a few days to integrate, in the beginning (like several before her) advised my big fur family not to mess with her, she may not look it, but she is big and strong (something we got in common.....). 

Even Angels' Life ain't Easy

6h00

 "The youth can walk fast, but it is the elder that know the road." "Feeding a snake with honey doesn't mean that the snake would hold back its venomous habits." "Dogs don't actually prefer bones to meat, it is just that no one gives them meat." Ubuntu African Proverbs.    "I think sometimes we need to take a step back and just remember we have no greater right to be here than any other animal." David Attenborough                                   It is the time of year when many feral babies are born. You can see the unfortunate ones in many places outside, as quite a few folks here seem to regard pregnant cats a nuisance and kick them out or steal the babies from their mothers' loving paws and then place them in front of various houses, sometimes but not always, near animal friendly people. Anyhow, I ended up with 3 pregnant cats that were already for a while regular customers to my Cats' Table. Fleur, a lovely dark fur cat with blond streaks, had been looking for an indoor place for a while. I finally offered her a little corridor, where she gave birth to 4 sweet babies of different shades, 1 black/white, 1 grey/white, 2 brown fur, all a bit longer hair. Rosy, a friend of Fleur, simular colouring a shade lighter, sneaked in one day as we when out. When we returned we found her with 4 babies. All sweeties looking different, 1 tri-coloured (rare, always female), 1 yellow, 1 light yellow, 1 black, and amazingly her birth- giving place was spotless, not a drop of blood, quite contrary to Fleur (there was a lot of blood) . The 3rd mother, Jane, I took inside by mistake as she resembles one of my cats and I didn't realize that she was pregnant and unlike my little treasure not sterilized and neuteted. Normally vets here cut off a little corner of the patient's ear to mark them following the operation. As my cats live indoors I don't get this done, otherwise I would have known. Anyhow, Jane even had 5 babies, 1 died after a few days, all have dark fur. She doesn't seem to be an experienced mum, but tries her best. As Fleur's babies started to develope and wanted to explore their surrounding, I took her and her little family upstairs where I have 2 wooden houses for cats. She acccepted this, but once moved them temporarily to a plastic box. My cat mothers taught me that I can only make suggestions but they will have the final decision where they will raise their babies. Rosy decided not to stay upstairs, she took her babies downstairs underneath a tree. In my opinion not enough protected, a little later we agreed that she and her little ones stay in a plastic basket in front of the bedroom. This basket we afterwards moved to the room in front of the bathroom, so they will be less disturbed. Jane choose a cave in a big tree designed for cats. Just now she moved her babies to a big cardboard box on a bench, more light. Fleur, Rosy and Jane visit each other, view the little ones of their colleagues which were born a few days apart. Having spent most of their life outside, knowing their kids are okay and well looked after, Fleur and Rosy want to leave the house for an hour or two to see their friends, pay a visit to a good woman in the neighborhood and then return. I am always a bit nervous when they are outside (traffic, stone throwing children), but I respect their wishes and desire to take a bit of a break from their demanding babies. How I am going to cope with the expenses (spay and neutered, various medications, dental and other vet treatments etc.) I presently don't know, I shall cross that bridge when I come to it. Kitten food has become more expensive, also croquettes and various basic food for human consumption . Just like humans too, older cats are not always well. Changed behaviour, more tired, perhaps hidding, loss of appetite, tearing eyes, coughing, loss of weight, smell from the mouth (possibly teeth or gum problem, with bad luck even worse sickness) are some indications that the little treasures need help. Crying with pain is rare, so I don't always note in good time that my feral family member needs to see a veterinarian. Gorgeous black big boy Khalid had blood cancer. That horrible diagnosis was quite a shock for me. He was only approx. 5 or 6 years old when he passed over the rainbow, so sudden and much too early. I felt so helpless. A woman once left him in a cardboard box in front of my door 2 years ago. There was a note saying: "Please take him, I am too old to cope anymore." Strange, she and others never state the name of the cat/cats. Anyhow, Khaled (I named him after that great Algerian Rai singer) looked well kept, soon accepted his new name and turned out to be a feral gentleman. Not for a second did I regret having adopted him, such a great present from heaven! I loved cuddling with him and miss my lovely boy very much. Suzy, about the same age as Khaled, I discovered in front of my door one day, only a few weeks old. She had lovely brown fur with a reddish shine. Not always in a good mood, she would have preferred to be an "only child." For a while she put on a bit of weight, but then suddenly lost it again. When she started to eat and drink less, I took her to the veterinarian. She had a couple of infusions, seemed to get a bit better, but the blood test result left me with only little hope. Her kidneys didn't work well and she had anemia. Sweet Suzy also passed suddenly over the rainbow, another little

 angel left me. Every cat has her own character, her own life story. Once they become a member of my family they steal a part of my heart and when they are sadly gone for ever, leave me in mourning.  These sweet innocent angels are a present from heaven, but only remain for a rather limited time, much shorter here than in Europe, where it is not so unusual for a cat to reach an age above 20 years of age. 

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.