Tunis, Pre-WSIS

I love Middle Eastern Airlines!!!

First, I'm quite sure that no one would decide to hijack the plane - or else the whole middle east would prosecute that particular Muslim and send him to a den full of wolves... err tigers perhaps. LOL. That is, if he's still alive. Hmmm... maybe they have something to prosecute families too?! just kidding!

Anyway, second, the leg ROOM. It's simply amazing how PAL seem to not realize than not all Filipinos are that small so we need more leg room. I think they may have patterned the PAL airlines to that of the jeepney. So, I can't help but marvel at the leg room available in the middle eastern airlines.

well, I do have a lot of things to say about the backrest. It would kill you if you ever have to sit on it for more than five hours. It's so curved at the wrong place that people with back problems will experience torture. And it doesn't help that your next flight is 7 hours away in an airport so small that you can literally see the people overcrowding the dutyfree shop below. Boy am I glad the airport was crowded on our way back so we had to stay for nearly an hour inside the plane so I didn't have to spend 3 hours in the stop over wihtout any chairs to sit on.


Enough about the airlines: Tunis.

As I said, Tunis is simply amazing. It's very European and you can see French Architecture everywhere. It has a great railway for going around the city plus a better train route to other cities. Transportation is cheap and if you have the WSIS ID, then you can even go for free! :)

It has Tunis has one Cathedral, which is also the only Church in the city. In nearby Carthage, there's another Cathedral, but I wasn't able to attend mass there so I don't know if it's being used.

The security was sooo tight that everyday, we had to take the 07:30 buses to Le Kram or else we won't have any other transportation to the WSIS venue. The hotels were packed with metal detectors and security service like you wouldn't believe. It wasn't until I got to speak with a Tunisian that this was tight not just because of the officials attending the WSIS, but because of the Jordan incident and due to a whole lot of other political economic reasons that I finally understood why the security was such. I mean, you see security forces on the streets carrying assault rifles - who wouldn't be scared?!

I got addicted to mint tea. They make the best ones in Tunis - so far.

I've never drank so much red wine in my entire life! IFunny thing is, it has only managed to keep me warm and give me some of those allergic effect people get when they're not used to taking in so much alcohol. I can honestly say I didn't feel any effects of it aside from the red spots probably due to the weather. I even set my foot and bought a new coat since I couldn't stand the temperature anymore! And sometimes even when there's some sun, it's still not enough to keep you warm without a coat.

I've met some great people. Darn! I wish I could show you photos. It doesn't seem to be working nowadays.

Will give you more info during WSIS and post-WSIS.

Tunis

Tunis is such a great place! The influence of the French when they took over Tunisia can be seen in the infrastructure though the outskirts of the town proper does show some of the middle eastern dwellings. The people are not friendly, though which makes the whole thing really terrible.

I seriously feel like I'm leaving in the Marcos era. I see guards all around the city carrying rifles your wouldn't see the police nor military in Manila carrying. I think if you so much as walk up the barrier around Le Kram you'll be stabbed to death or they would surely kill you.

You see pictures of the President everywhere and the flag everywhere. Then they get to shut the whole conference place for half a day just because their president was going to cut the ribbon!

Whatever. I hope the picture gets uploaded this time.

Rewards

I believe in God. That's just something I can never shed off.

God provides.

I don't know how else to say it. I mean, after all these things that's been going on, I knew I needed a break form it all.

First good news: Albs passed UP's MA in Literature. wow! I knew she coudl do it!
Second good news: I was able to think of a way to make helping young people putting up their businesses be profitable for those who help them. woohoo!
Third good news: I won an award from an international organization because of what I have been doing in the NGO.

And that's not all. I get to go to Tunis, 15mins away from Carthage (oh how I love ancient history!). All expense paid - roundtrip tickets, hotel accommodation, allowances for incidentals... and a cash prize to go with the award!

When He decides to shower you with blessings, it's simply over and beyond what you ever imagined it to be!