The next day we set out on a mission to locate a SIM card so we could get internet for weather. The Iridium Go, (which is a satellite-based hot spot), just took too long to download weather information that was readily available all over the Mediterranean via cell phone data, so we were putting the service on hold until we left the Med when it would be indispensable. The marina staff wrote the name down of a nearby town that had cell phone stores, Ooredoo was recommended as having good data options. On our way up to catch the cab, we were “coerced” into a store (this was due to me making eye contact and saying hello), and a few minutes later I walked out wearing a hand of Fatima necklace. It was obvious that the few businesses that were in the mostly vacant buildings around the marina, were really hurting for customers. The gentleman spoke pleasantly but exerted a continuous pressure, and we felt like we would have to buy something or be extremely rude in order to exit, hence the 15 euro (which started at 50 euro) necklace! We made good our escape and found an ATM to obtain some Tunisian Dinar, (the local currency which worked out to just over a 3:1 exchange rate), so we could get a cab out to the township. The cab driver zigged and zagged, used a lot of horn and brakes, spoke some English, and offered his services for any future sight-seeing we might want to do. Once we arrived at the Ooredoo store, we were happy to see that the prices for data plans were a real bargain, and we got 25 Gigs for 25 Dinar.
The part of Tunisia that we had seen so far was like a cross between Mexico and India (except they spoke Arabic and French), with white washed buildings, dusty roadsides littered with trash, crazy traffic, and friendly people. There were quite a few cats around (including more than 6 at the restaurant where we stopped for lunch), and we had glimpses of large sheep and horses, but we didn’t see any dogs about. Some of the women wore burka’s or head scarves, but the majority were wearing the usual attire that would have fit in anywhere.
After a successful mission we decided to stop at a restaurant and sample the local cous cous. This is cooked in a double boiler style pot so the cooking juice from the meat and veggies in the bottom, steamed the cous cous in the top, resulting in a moist and flavorful dish.
The big hit from the fixed price lunch menu though, was Brik. This was another delicious local dish made from a thin pastry shell filled with a whole egg and seasoned ground meat, folded in a semi-circle and fried crispy in a skillet. (Apparently you could get different fillings but the “Brik Maison” was the one we had).
I am thoroughly enjoying your adventure. Have more fun!