As I do with all my trips abroad, I lose myself in the trusted Lonely Planet. I want to learn all about the country; it's culture, history and politics. Hungry to learn exactly what that country has to offer and experience everything.
Tunisia tantalised me, despite the dubious cover depicting a man kissing a camel. Such rich heritage with Carthage, being conquered by the Roman, Greeks, Phoenicians and French. Rich is Islamic, Arabic and French.
The Tunisia I experienced wasn't the Tunisia I expected. Mainly due to being trapped by an all-inclusive resort on the coast of Tunis. Camels were everywhere; every souvenir features this animal. You could take one step without being greeted by a camel in one shape or another.
The Lonely Planet warned of 'forward' men and this was certainly the case. They loved the English girls, although I was mistaken for Brazilian, oddly! Being approached and asked if you have a 'friend' and 'I want to spend the night with you' was laughed off. The hotel treated us to crazy shows of men in drag miming to Celine Dion and re-enacting Titanic or dancing with the bottoms of the trousers cut out...curious.
The food was mainly generic meat and fish served with generic potato and salad. I was the only one who sampled the local dishes, which were a wonderful hybrid of Mediterranean and Arabic cooking, although with a little punch!
We successfully polished off our duty-free wine, Bisson vodka and Captain Morgan's to take the edge off the constant harassment and cheesy music. Also made dancing with the Germans who were making shapes that can only be likened to an epileptic fit!
The beach was beautiful, although choppy - although I was more interested in causing mischief and losing myself in Russian literature (perhaps not the best holiday read) - this also contributed to being called a Communist by my friends, a tag that I thought I had avoided by hiding my copy of The Communist Manifesto when I was younger and never speaking of it again.
Despite normally immersing myself in a country and trying to live it, I really enjoyed my holiday - lots of random fun with a bit Tunisian sense of humour. I did feel a bit cheated that I didn't experience the best of the country, but I'm sure I'll go back to visit as a traveller and not a tourist.
