Challenges

Learning Arabic is quite possibly one of the hardest things I have ever attempted. The Arabic language has a completely different set of letters and sounds than the English language. I am learning how to write new letters and my mouth and throat are learning new ways to stretch, move, and constrict. Also, Arabic reads and writes from right to left, opposite of many languages. I now have sympathy for all of you left-handed people out there! My teachers are great and have much experience in teaching Arabic to native English speakers. I have two hours of class in the morning, a half an hour break, and then another two hours of class before lunch. We then have homework to do and two hours of tutoring in the evening. I have completed four days of classes thus far and am amazed at how much I have learned! Aside from class, we are immersed in the language daily as Tunisians speak primarily Arabic and French. The staff at our hotel, as well as store clerks, sellers at the market, and others we come into contact with, get quite a laugh as we try to communicate with them. While they laugh, everyone I have come into contact with thus far has been very helpful in correcting me and teaching me new words. I have definitely learned to rely on body language as a form of communication. I laugh often as communication often resembles a game of charades.

Last weekend Rebecca and I took the train to Sidi Bou Said, a city northeast of Tunis. The city is built on a mountain / hill that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. All of the buildings are white, most with big, beautiful, blue doors. As I understand it, the village was discovered by wealthy Frenchmen in the early 1900s. The French bought many of the houses and went to great lengths to preserve the town’s character. As a result, there is very little that is not Tunisian in origin. The view of the Mediterranean Sea was amazing! I have never seen water of such a vibrant blue color. There was a slight breeze blowing in off the water and all was well with the world. Rebecca and I enjoyed the view from an outdoor café at the top of the mountain / hill. The picture posted with my first entry was taken from a roof top at Sidi Bou Said.

Tunisia is considered a liberal Muslim country, so women here experience more rights than in most Muslim countries. As liberal as Tunisia may be for a Muslim country, coming from America, I feel rather restricted as a woman. We women on the trip have been advised not to travel alone. It is customary for men to gwak at women and it is not uncommon to hear cat-calls when walking by a group of men, and might I add, men waaaaaay outnumber women on the streets. We were told to avoid eye-contact with men as eye-contact is considered an invitation. It is helpful to wear sunglasses while on the street and in the market. We were also advised not to sit in a café alone as this is also seen as an invitation to men. There are a number of cafes that only serve men, so sometimes it is a challenge to find a place to eat.

In America, I enjoy greeting and meeting new people, so it has been very difficult to be so reserved. I feel distant from the people I walk by on the street and wonder how I will ever get to know the culture without having the opportunity to speak to the people. Even if it was appropriate for me to greet people whom I pass, an inability to communicate with words is also an obstacle in which to contend. However, smiles have the ability to speak much louder than words!

Yesterday our group met with the American ambassador to Tunisia, Robert F. Godec. While he had quite a colorful portfolio of international relations experience, I must admit that I was most impressed with the fact that he has competed in several ultra-marathons and even an Ironman competition!

While the past couple of days have been challenging, and might I add mighty frustrating, with school work, today, I feel like the clouds are starting to part. Classes went smoother today and I am gaining my bearings in the city. This weekend we are free to travel as we would like, so I will report back on my journeys.