Overview:
The Medina, Tunis,
Tunisia
Tunisia
resides on the North African continent between Libya and
Algeria. Dating back centuries before Christ, Tunis has
a rich history. It enjoys warm Mediterranean weather and
can get extremely hot at times. The currency of Tunisia
is the Dinar, but most of the shops will accept euro, as
well.
Cruise
Port Location and Information:
The Tunis Tender Wharf
Ships
anchor offshore and tender passengers into the Tunis
tender wharf and cruise terminal.
The Tunis Cruise Port
Once
you depart the tender and enter the cruise port
building, you will need to present your passport and
will be issued a tourist card that must be carried with
you at all times. However, there was no one in the
terminal upon our return to collect them hinting that
security is really not what it seems to be.
Exploring on Your Own:
Once
you clear immigration and depart the cruise ship
terminal you enter a large and enclosed area with tour
buses, taxis and a table with a representative from the
Tunis Tourist Authority handing out maps and
information. As you look around, you notice that there
is an armed guard next to the entrance to the port and
another guard in the guard house. Beyond the gate are
dozens of men milling aorund like they are waiting to
pounce on someone. When you ask the tourist authority if
it is safe to go out on your own, she says "no". If you
ask her if there is any transportation (like a train)
near the port, she denies it. You are left thinking that
you have to either take one of the tours being offered
by the taxi and tour drivers that are in the port
attacking you to hire them for the day, or simply go
back to the ship. I am not sure, but I suspect that the
tourist authority lady really works for the tour drivers
inside the port, as does the armed guard. The taxi and
tour van drivers pay a good amount of money to be able
to offer their tours inside the port area. Because of
this you will be paying top dollar to go on a canned
tour with several other people from the ship.
DON'T DO IT!!!
|
Our Taxi Driver Turned
New Friend
You
will be under hard pressure to engage one of these tour
drivers, but here is what you should do. Walk right past
the tourist authority lady, the taxi and tour drivers,
the armed guard and the security gate. Just ignore them
like they were not even there. Once you are past the
barrier, you will be pounced upon by several taxi
drivers waiting just outside the port. Just ignore them
too. Tell them you are walking to the train station,
which is located just to the right of the port entrance.
Once you are past the horde of taxi drivers, things
start calming down. As you continue to walk you will see
more taxi drivers waiting their turn to get to the front
of the line. Once you are a comfortable distance from
the group of taxi drivers, start asking taxi drivers if
they speak any English. When you finally find a taxi
driver that speaks English that you like, start
negotiating to have him take you to see the things in
this review. You will have the time of your life.
Tunisians are wonderful and friendly people that will go
miles out of their way to show you their country and
share his or her life with you.
Shopping Tips:
Medina Shopping Street
Tunis
has wonderful shopping opportunities for all kinds of
products.
Medina Carpet Store
The
Medina is an ancient bazaar that resides in a labyrinth
of alley ways that wind and twist their way through a
huge area.
Knock Off Purses by the
Thousands
Each
shop in the medina offers something unusual. This shop
has tons of knock off purses, as does a number of shops.
A Medina Furniture
Store
Looking
for some unique furniture? You will certainly find it
hee.
Medina Art Store
Look
for collectible artisan souvenirs, brass plates and
bowls. silver jewelry, copper items, ceramics, pottery,
leather goods. antiques and just about anything else you
can think of.
More Goods for Sale
It is
important to understand the nature of shopping in the
Medina. All of the prices on everything are inflated and
you are expected to bargain for the best price. However,
if you start negotiating a price, then it is believed
that you will purchase the item if a price is agreed
upon. You should never ask for a price quote unless you
are seriously considering acquiring the item.
Medina Carpet Salesmen
Waiting for the Next Customer
Also,
you will be approached by some nice people offering to
show you a spectacular view over looking the Medina, or
guide you to some special shops. These people are
"hookers" (they hook you into a carpet sales pitch) They
will take you into a carpet store as part of their tour
and you will be approached to watch a carpet
demonstration. Unless you are in the market to purchase
a carpet, run the other way at this point. Once you sit
down and drink the tea they will serve you, you are
pretty well had in their book. These guys ake the most
aggressive time-share salesman look timid.
Port
Highlights:
An Overview of the
Medina
If all
that you want to do is visit the Medina and go shopping,
the best way to get there from the port is to walk to
the right once you have left the port and follow the
train tracks to the station. Be aware that the train
tickets can only be purchased in local currency, but the
is a bank right next to the train station where you can
convert some euro or dollars.
The Tunis Promenade
that Leads to the Medina
Simply
board the train and get off where it terminates. If you
walk on the promenade from the statue you will be taken
directly to the entrance to the Medina.
Entrance to the Medina
As you
pass by the entrance archway you will come to several
narrow pedestrian streets that lead into the Medina.
The Way into the Medina
Don't
worry about getting lost at this point as you will
gradually be climbing uphill all the way. When it comes
time to return to the entrance, you simply head down
hill when presented with a choice.
The Church on the
Square Leading to Medina
In the
area surrounding the promenade there are some impressive
structures and statues.
Beautiful Architecture
The
city center is much more beautiful than I expected.
The Statue in Front of
the Medina
Exploring the Median is a wonderful experience. Shopping
the Medina's markets is interesting and stimulating. The
sounds and smells are unusual and very memorable.
An Open Air Market in
Downtown Tunis
We met
back up with out taxi driver who waited for us for over
three hours and had him take us through the heart of
Tunis. There was a good amount of poverty, but everyone
seemed quite happy.
Open Air Markets Seem
to Replace Traditional Stoes
The
open air markets were abundant throughout Tunis and
seemed to be the primary way that residents shopped.
A Tunis Tourist Market
We had
heard about an artist colony that was supposed to be
wonderful and offer some additional shopping for art and
collectibles, so off we went.
Off the
Beaten Path:
While in
Tunis you should get your driver to also include Sid Bou
Said, Carthage and the North African American Cemetery
and Monument. Click the link below to see exactly how to
do it in the "On Your Own" section..
Dining
and Drinking Suggestions:
I know
that there must be some excellent restaurants in Tunis,
but I didn't see any that I would have enjoyed. Our plan
was to have lunch in Sid Bou Said, but we could not find
a restaurant that met out basic requirements. All we
wanted was a little wine and some fresh food. Couldn't
find it, so we waited until we were back on the ship
Must Do
List:
I would
give a trip to the Medina a "Must Do" rating and a visit
to the North Africa American Cemetery a "Should Do"
rating.
