Your neighbours in Tunisia

I have lived in Tunisia for11 years, for the last 9 on a permanent basis.

Since 2018 I have rented a second floor flat with a large terrace  in Bareka (Barraket Essahel). Much cheaper than Yasmine or Hammamet. Previously I rented in Yasmine, but too expensive, no grocery shops, no real friends there, just ex pats who came on holiday. Also landlords not particularly friendly and getting deposit back at end of tenancy was a problem.

My neighbour now is my landlord, his wife and son who live downstairs and daughter and family a few doors down the road. They are very correct and pleasant helpful people. They do not speak English but my French gets me by, although not brilliant! If something is wrong in the flat, he fixes it for me. If I need a gas bottle, they fetch it for me or carry my shopping up the stairs.  My terrace is filled with plants and they find the plastic pots for me and tell me where to order compost. Sometimes I go for coffee there and I am very happy with my flat. I not actually have any ex pat neighbours but a few English who live nearer to Hammamet and we go out sometimes.

I have a Tunisian family who live a few hundred yards from me who I have known about 11 years. Again I need French. I have been to a couple of family weddings which were an experience, men and women eat and sit separately. The mother sends me traditional Ramadan food and invites me to the house. They have been to my house for dinner as well. The eldest son runs errands for me when my knee plays up and does the heavy work on the terrace. We watch football together in my flat. (My landlord is happy with that as he has known the family for many years). Sometimes we go out together which is more pleasant than going alone and less problems.

Once I had a row with the son and called him a bastard. Next day father said I understand you disrespected my family. I had to explain that in English the word no longer has the same connotation as 100+ years ago, and when a woman says that she just means the man is being nasty. He told his son off for being unpleasant to me!  I am now careful what I say to avoid future misunderstandings.

I do admit if I did not speak French it would be much more difficult living in a small town.

I do drink beer and wine, but out of respect for their culture I do not drink during Ramadan. In general I respect their culture and customs.

In all I am very happy with my life in Tunisia.

@harrisonlindsay60

Dear Lindsay,

Thx for sharing the information about the area you live, people and yourself.

more info about me …, im 66 years old, retired from NASA about 5 years ago. Niw I live in Washington DC area. Im originally from Tehran, Iran came here in 1979. I have my PhD in Engieering. I live alone.

Im hoping to live in one of north african or south European countries within a year from now.

You can reach me directly at *** or email me at ***

plz tell me more about yourself, your life style, plans etc…, preferably with a pic

Regards

Sam