Tunis. Located on the North African Coast. There was no question we were about to enter a different environment and culture. The images do not convey the differences we witnessed. Nor do they adequately tell the story.
The juxtaposition of old and new stays with me today. Imagine an old man with his push cart & mule, traveling on newly laid pavement. Behind him were excavated ruins beside a shiny modern office building.
Prior to the Arab Spring and the ensuing unpleasantness, Anne & I
found ourselves approaching the city. Located on the North African Coast,
this is also the location of the ancient city of Carthage. Roman
influence once encircled all of the Mediterranean.
Touring one of the local museums, the architecture was as amazing as the artwork. This is an entrance ceiling.
And the artworks: hard to adequately describe.
A common scene. Locals having tea & discussing the events of the day.
At some point during the trip, one realizes the differences in cultures. The women were attired following the norms of Islam.
English is not the primary language here. But we tourist were able to mingle among the locals with no issues.
Coming off the streets, it was cooler and quieter.
Entering the Souk. Think local market for day to day needs.
Ancient Carthage ruins. This was once an enormous bath house.
Another view of the bath house ruins.
A rather handsome gent, don't you think?
And yes, we were able to walk among the ruins. Not just view them from afar.
On the hill above the ruins; the home of then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Ben Ali would not reside here much longer with the upcoming unrest.
Heading back to our ship, there were the usual tourist photo trappings found anywhere on the planet.
At this point, one can only wonder about the present lives of the people in the photos.
