After visiting Tunis, you
should arrange to get your driver to take you to Sid Bou
Said, the North African American Cemetery and Carthage.
This is a great afternoon and one you will remember, as
the impressions will be lasting.
Sid Bou Said
Sid Bou
Said is a quaint seaside artists village that features
whitewashed stucco buildings with blue doors, windows
and trim. It is beautiful to look at and has its own
completely unique flavor.
The Sid Bou Said Train
Station
It is
quite possible to take the train from the port into the
Medina and then take the train to Sid Bou Said.
Sid Bou Said Train
However, using a taxi for the day much more sense, as
you can maximize you time and see much more than you
will using the train.
Just One of Sid Bou
Said's Fascinating Doors
I could
have spent a day here taking pictures of the doors and
windows.
Another Sid Bou Said
Door
The
blend of the two colors made for some interesting
architechture.
The Sid Bou Said Marina
and Beach
Being
located on a hill overlooking the coastline was just
another thing that made this village so quaint.
A Sid Bou Said Shop
Sid Bou
Said also offers some excellent shopping opportunities.
A Sid Bou Said Art
Boutique
Of
course, as an artist village, there are several art
galleries and boutiques selling wonderful and
collectible art.
Sid Bou Said's Cobbled
Streets
Sid Bou
Said reminds me of Santorini, Greece in a way.
A Sid Bou Said Cafe
While
we couldn't find a cafe that served wine, they were
still quaint and looked fun to enjoy.
North
African American Cemetery
The North African
American Cemetery
On what
turned out to be a very moving stop, we visited the
North African American Cemetery. This 27 acre cemetery
is the last resting place for 2,842 Americans that gave
their lives in operations during World War II. Seeing
the crosses and the entire memorial can't help but move
anyone.
The North African
American Cemetery Wall of Names
Each
soldier in the cemetery has his name and the city and
state that he was from inscribed on the wall that fronts
the gravesites. It is hard to believe how many men died
during World War II in North Africa.
Carthage
Carthage Ruins
Overlooking Tunis
Carthage was founded in 800 BC and was destroyed and
rebuilt by the Romans in 146 BC, The ruins are
extensive, but not well cared for.
The Sub-Surface of an
Amphitheater
As an
example, when we visited this amphitheater there were
three young boys playing "shoot 'em up" in the tunnels.
They were running around hiding in the tunnels, throwing
rocks and generally had 0 regard for the fact that this
site was almost 22 centuries old. It was shocking.
House Built on Top of
Ruins
Here is
another example. There are extensive ruins by the
columns in the center of the picture. Those tunnels
extend for hundreds of feet into the hillside. Some
politician got permission to construct his home right on
top of the ruin.
More Carthage Ruins
While
one can get to Carthage on the train, Carthage is such a
large area that the only way to enjoy it is by taxi or
tour.
Back
to Tunis, Tunisia
