Tunisian Family / Cultural Stay

As a segment of our language program, we are required to stay with a Tunisian family for a weekend. The purpose of the home-stay is to learn more about Tunisian culture and practice our newly learned Arabic language. Last weekend I met my Tunisian family and enjoyed a lovely home-stay in their wonderful home. My host family lives 2 1/2 hours south of Tunis in a town much smaller than Tunis. My host sister, Sahar, just completed her Master’s degree in English and speaks English very well. Sahar lives with her two sisters (22 and 18 years old), one brother (14 years old), and mother and father. The Tunisian education system has begun to teach English in the public school system, so Sahar’s two sisters speak a little English, and her brother spoke English quite well. Sahar had no idea that her brother could speak English so well and was very impressed with all that he knew. My host mother and father did not speak English, so I was unable to communicate with them very well. I also had the opportunity to meet some of Sahar's grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Everyone extended a warm welcome and their hospitality was much appreciated! It was so wonderful to be part of a family, again. Below is a picture of (from right to left) one of Sahar's sisters, Sahar, me, and Sahar's brother.

Sahr's grandfather owns a small plot of land on which he farms and on this property is a traditional Tah-boon-ah (see above picture). The tah-boon-ah is used for cooking traditional bread, as well as other foods. A fire is built at the bottom of the tah-boon-ah which then heats up the sides. There is some type of ceramic coating on the sides that gets very hot. After the dough is mixed, kneaded, and formed, it is put on the sides of the tah-boon-ah to bake. After removing it from the tah-boon-ah, we dipped it (more like soaked it) in olive oil. The bread was warm and sooooo DELICIOUS!




Sahar's family also prepared some sardines in garlic and olive oil. The sardines were then put on a wire rack and cooked in the tah-boon-ah. We also cooked some peppers and onions in the tah-boon-ah that were made into harrissa (a traditional spread put on bread). All of the food was ready about 8:45 pm. Sahar, her sister, mother, father, aunt, cousins, grandmother, and grandfather all sat on a mat near the field and enjoyed the delicious food as the sun was setting around us. My soul was radiating with happiness. Surely, I must have been glowing outwardly! Above is a picture of Sahar's grandfather in the field. He truly is a motivation for me to learn the Arabic language. I want so much to be able to talk with him and learn of his life stories.

I would like to write more, but the internet cafe is about to close . I hope to post more this week. May you be filled with God's peace that passes all understanding this week. I love you all and miss you.