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Tunis, Tunisia
The old quarter of Tunis is called Medina which means in Arabic "city" . Median has a strong Arabic flavor. As most old Arabic cities, they have different doors to enter the city. The main entrance is called Bab El Bahr "Sea Door". More Arabic characteristics are the narrow allies, covered souq, wonderful buildings, doorways and tilework can bee seen all way around. I loved strolling aimlessly in the maze of narrow allies, putting my head inside open doors to see the hidden treasures of each house. Medina is classified as world heritage by the UNISCO.
Unfortunately, I arrived after the opening hours of Al Zitouna Mosque (Mosque of the Olive Tree); something to keep for future visit.
In the souq, there are everything :-) colorful hand-made carpets, hand-crafted jewellery, leather products, copper and brassware, pottery, exotic spices, and much more. I can spend days going from one shop to another. Ah, Sweat shops kept giving us pieces to taste. Yummy... mostly fried or made from nuts specially almonds.
I have a rule when traveling is to taste every day something new, mine for the day aside from the sweats was a Brick (pronounced breek) is a Tunisian version of burek consisting of thin pastry around a filling of egg, chopped onion, capers, tuna and boiled potato. Brick is served in a plate with a slice of lemon and Harissa. I later on found that Harissa is an essential part of the Tunisian cuisine. My days & nights filled with it. It is a hot red pepper sauce made of red chili peppers, garlic and olive oil.
I guess I will have to start a dictionary of East & West Arabic dialects.
M3 Salamh
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