I haven't written a word since I came to Tunisia. Perhaps it's just a sign of the mentality of this place... probably not. I have a lot to tell and since this is long term travelling I don't think that it hurts to take some time melting experiences. I will write more soon. Tonight I will finally get the network card for my computer working. I have not really been motivated to get everything out here in the virtual.
There are quite alot of anecdotes and pictures to come...
For anyone who wanders what's happened in large, and hasn't read my facebook... this is a very short summary.
In Italy I had the sudden inclination to get to Africa. I felt a bit tired and lost not speaking Italian. I figured it would be mentally good to get out of this old continent. Tunisia is close. And I happen to have a distant "relative" there, so I thought it would be interesting to check it out.
I think it was a good decision. I have seen a strange world of traditional elements blending with capitalist society in an absurd mix. The contrasts are so strong. This is paradoxically a country of concrete operational thinking and a very down to earth, and smooky caféish frozen conditions. Bodily grounded with great emotional intensity and still at the same time; held back by old restrictions and collective herd-morality. There is a dense humour in this inner conflict... something that I don't think Europeans in general can imagine. Perhaps the Tunisians are resting, and waiting for better days, searching for relief from centrurys of cultural-political tumult. (Roman, Turk, Spanish and French colonisation etc)
I think it's been a healthy break from my mind and thinking, my abstract philosophy-loving personality. Here there is no tomorrow... litterally... and money is on everyones mind, except the ones who've found peace, looking back thru the muslim lense seeing a world of familyties and trusted values fall apart...
I have seen this beautiful and dirty place for a month... I have had the opportunity of finding some new friends and get to know there problems and hopes. I have felt like a stranger and learned to fend off people who see me as a walking ticket to Europe. And the last few weeks I've started to learn french... still very fragile, but I can make some sentences...
But now I long for playing music again... and going back to places I recognise and can relate to... and to places where freedom of mind is in higher regard. I go to Paris on monday night to couchsurf and sing on the streets... probable spend Christmas and learn french...
I'm thirsty for artistic collaboration and meeting people... inviting philosophy into my life again.
Have any suggestions for Paris?
Wish me Bon Chance!
I will write more in detail about the trip later on... who knows when that is... ! ;)
lördagen den 21:e november 2009
onsdagen den 14:e oktober 2009
Wind power Denmark
Beautiful... sounds a bit but it's ok.. I slept in the pasture not far from these one night...Germany to Italy
Hamburg
I felt releaved to finally get away from Flensburg and my mind started spinning on the subject of getting to places faster. (a trick of the mind I guess... the tendency to think that something is even better further away) Rainy weather is beautiful but boring and not so practical when you want to play music outside.
So I started sorting my options. Learning language is a much greater aim now than it was for me when I started this trip. Even if people speak english sometimes it's not nearly as good as people from Sweden speak english. I want to learn German, Spanish and French... it's basiv languages that help in many places round the earth. It's not necessary for becoming a piano-bar entertainer, but it's sure useful.
After waiting for a Eurolines bus to arrive in the not so cheer hopes of the busdriver being glad about taking my box on a bus, I went to an internet café to try to compare prices fro flights, trains or just about anything. I even got so far as deciding to take a cheap flight to Barcelona. But when i tried to register online something went wrong... and Ryan Air lost a customer.
I actually took a train to the airport and back again before I decided around about midnight to buy the cheapest form of Interrail-card... to get south by train for five days. It wasn't that good a deal. I spent much of the of the night speaking with a couple of girls in the 24 hours opened McDonalds at the trainstation, writing a song in the morning to the rythm of Hamburg waking up.
In the morning I bought my railpass and started by getting on to Frankfurt... when I came there it was like a maze... I found myself out somehow and walked away to a secluded area in some woods for some rest and food preparation, and even a chance to clean my box. I didnt feel like staying in this area so I went back to the station to continue travelling... to my surprise I'm stopped by a Security guard (once again) who wants to know whats in my box. Then he also tells me that I can't go by train with it.
Now Thats a sticky situation... I had already begun using my interrail-card, and at the information they first tell me it's no problem, then they say that the box actually is too big (wich wasnt mentioned when I bought the card in Hamburg) I ask how to get the money back and they say I have to get back to Hamburg where I purchased the card. When I say that they can fax a copy and fix it they suddenly say that its not possible to get any money back since Ive already started using it. Their final advice is for me to keep trying to travel on the sly. Try to get the box on the trains anyway. Interesting advice.
So now I was a paying customer who had to be lucky at each stop on the way south. I had payed but I felt like I had to make excuses for myself all the time. At first I intended to go to eastern Europe for a day just to see some of it, but I was getting so sick and tired of this box issue that I decided to try to get south as fast as possible instead. I travelled constantly for a day... first I reached Munchen where I found myself in the middle of the yearly Beerfestival... Oktoberfest.
Munchen
This was a great night. I sang all night with wonderful crazy german people coming from everywhere in their leadherpants (läderhosen or however you spell it) For the first time on my trip I didn't feel that I looked strange to anyone.... Seems like everyone was just amazingly dressed and in a good mood to speak english. I had so many beerbottles on my box that night (not originally mine) that I started looking like a walking bar.
At first I let a crazy guitarist borrow my guitar for a while, but he was so drunk that I had to take it after a while. When many hours had past I had a fine little gathering around me singing along... made a little money but mostly played for the sake of partying the night away.
Finally I wanted to walk away, but one of the german gentlemen stopped me... He didn't believe that the box was mine. "this is his home; you can't take it away from him!"... He thought that the very drunk man who borrowed my guitar was the actual owner of my box. To prove it was mine I had to show him my tattoo on my left shoulder. The same heart as the heart on the box. He didn't seem to believe it at first but then he realized I was telling the truth.
I told him about my whole crazy travelling idea and my plans to go to Italy and Greece and play piano in bars... then I was stuck singing for the last hours of the night... In the morning I took a train to Italy... Very tired....
I was so happy to see the big mountain sides rising around me and to get from cold germany to warm Italy.
I felt releaved to finally get away from Flensburg and my mind started spinning on the subject of getting to places faster. (a trick of the mind I guess... the tendency to think that something is even better further away) Rainy weather is beautiful but boring and not so practical when you want to play music outside.
So I started sorting my options. Learning language is a much greater aim now than it was for me when I started this trip. Even if people speak english sometimes it's not nearly as good as people from Sweden speak english. I want to learn German, Spanish and French... it's basiv languages that help in many places round the earth. It's not necessary for becoming a piano-bar entertainer, but it's sure useful.
After waiting for a Eurolines bus to arrive in the not so cheer hopes of the busdriver being glad about taking my box on a bus, I went to an internet café to try to compare prices fro flights, trains or just about anything. I even got so far as deciding to take a cheap flight to Barcelona. But when i tried to register online something went wrong... and Ryan Air lost a customer.
I actually took a train to the airport and back again before I decided around about midnight to buy the cheapest form of Interrail-card... to get south by train for five days. It wasn't that good a deal. I spent much of the of the night speaking with a couple of girls in the 24 hours opened McDonalds at the trainstation, writing a song in the morning to the rythm of Hamburg waking up.
In the morning I bought my railpass and started by getting on to Frankfurt... when I came there it was like a maze... I found myself out somehow and walked away to a secluded area in some woods for some rest and food preparation, and even a chance to clean my box. I didnt feel like staying in this area so I went back to the station to continue travelling... to my surprise I'm stopped by a Security guard (once again) who wants to know whats in my box. Then he also tells me that I can't go by train with it.
Now Thats a sticky situation... I had already begun using my interrail-card, and at the information they first tell me it's no problem, then they say that the box actually is too big (wich wasnt mentioned when I bought the card in Hamburg) I ask how to get the money back and they say I have to get back to Hamburg where I purchased the card. When I say that they can fax a copy and fix it they suddenly say that its not possible to get any money back since Ive already started using it. Their final advice is for me to keep trying to travel on the sly. Try to get the box on the trains anyway. Interesting advice.
So now I was a paying customer who had to be lucky at each stop on the way south. I had payed but I felt like I had to make excuses for myself all the time. At first I intended to go to eastern Europe for a day just to see some of it, but I was getting so sick and tired of this box issue that I decided to try to get south as fast as possible instead. I travelled constantly for a day... first I reached Munchen where I found myself in the middle of the yearly Beerfestival... Oktoberfest.
Munchen
This was a great night. I sang all night with wonderful crazy german people coming from everywhere in their leadherpants (läderhosen or however you spell it) For the first time on my trip I didn't feel that I looked strange to anyone.... Seems like everyone was just amazingly dressed and in a good mood to speak english. I had so many beerbottles on my box that night (not originally mine) that I started looking like a walking bar.
At first I let a crazy guitarist borrow my guitar for a while, but he was so drunk that I had to take it after a while. When many hours had past I had a fine little gathering around me singing along... made a little money but mostly played for the sake of partying the night away.
Finally I wanted to walk away, but one of the german gentlemen stopped me... He didn't believe that the box was mine. "this is his home; you can't take it away from him!"... He thought that the very drunk man who borrowed my guitar was the actual owner of my box. To prove it was mine I had to show him my tattoo on my left shoulder. The same heart as the heart on the box. He didn't seem to believe it at first but then he realized I was telling the truth.
I told him about my whole crazy travelling idea and my plans to go to Italy and Greece and play piano in bars... then I was stuck singing for the last hours of the night... In the morning I took a train to Italy... Very tired....
I was so happy to see the big mountain sides rising around me and to get from cold germany to warm Italy.
Denmark to Germany
Gothenburg to Fredrikshavn
(diary from some time looking back)
Friday I was supposed to leave. Since I booked a ferry ticket for a car or bicycle, (my mistake of comparing my carriage to a bike) I had to rebook and leave early saturday. That gave me the opportunity to stay and have tea with my new/old friend Johanna. I had a great night talking about my plans and my philosophy. Yeah I think I talked too much about myself, but she's guilty of encouraging me.
Saturday morning felt great despite being tired. It's good to leave sweden. I spent the morning on the phone with friends and family, taking the time to talk while I was still in the local phone zone. The rest of the boat journey I spent contemplating the absurdity of slot machines. Who came up with the idea of turning boat-rides inte to floating casinos. I watched happy disabled people wasting their coins, and children screaming of joy when a few dimes came back out of the "one armed bandits", once in a while. Then i pulled out my earplugg's and tried to rest in the midst of crazy moneyspenders.
Finally in Denmark I ate a little and started singing in a public area. It was a fine spot, good acustics and just pedestrian streets, and some drunken swedes came by several times dropping a lot of money. All I had to do to make them happy was to sing a simple version of Knocking on heavens door. Unfortunetely the stores closed early and I got to talking with a dissapointed woman from Iran who was equally confused as I was concerning the stores. She had come to shop.
Before I stopped singing I had the fortune of meeting a Norweigian couple out on an everyday adventure. They were transporting goods and invited me to come along. Fredrikshavn to Padburg in one day. (all of Denmark) So I first started thinking for a second, then I stopped, and then I said Yes... not that I have to say yes to anything. It wasn't part of my plans, but I did say to myself before that if I'd get offered a significant ride (that could take me to warmer weather even faster...) then I would take it.
I walked to the beach, started writing a song, ate and watched the view. Then I fell asleep for an hour and woke up feeling a bit ill. I decided to find a place to rest out the day. Not far from where I was there was a nature area, dry wild land with a little pasture... I found a hidden place not far from the sea and put up my shelter. Then I slept for 14 hours, and I woke up feeling much better. I got my stuff together, went to town to meet up with Ivar and kristine. We decided to meet at the port three a clock. Then I had a pizza at a mexican restaurant, and sang a little for the owner who wished me luck on my journey.
There was a rock concert in town so I could'nt sing in the same place as last day. So I just sat down in another area singing just for fun. Then a nice guy named Eric came up and struck up a conversation. I sang some blues for him and then he wanted to buy me a pizza, I thanked him a lot but had to mention I'd already just had one. So he gave me some money for the road.
Eric told me about his own travels and the kindness that he'd met on the road. He also talked about the global economy, the internet and how everything is based on advertising these days. Every single human need is to be exploited to gain something. I fully understand his point of view. I think commercialism drains something from culture. But it's a strange paradox to me. Money is a means and as such it is good, but the monetary system is rent based and as such it's like a cancer.
It was a long day touring with Kristine and Ivar. They're the kind of people who are still passionate about doing new things, not letting children and professional life limit their destiny. We spoke constantly for four hours, except the time I was singing. Kristine told me about her cousine who is a famous musical artist in Norway... and how her whole family always had music to celebrate and spend time together. Sounds terrific.
They left me off at the end of their trip... southern Denmark... and I found a place to sleep for the night. Monday morning I started reading a few german phrases. I walked across the border and in to Harrisburg. After eating a little and waiting for the afternoon openings I went to the local library reading a little german and trying to learn some. I also wrote this.
Flensburg
When it finally ceased raining I found my way to Flensburg. It was getting late and I thought it would be a brilliant idea to take a train and sleep a few hours just to get further. When I reached the central station I was extremely tired. It was getting late, the reception was closed and there where only stairs up to the trains... my box is not that easy to get up like that. ;)
Just to make the night even more challenging one of my wheels suddenly started singing. The air was running out. I had received "ein punktíerung" or whatever the call it. This was not so alarming at first, since I had a super-fix-spray that would both fix it and pump the rubber. Now, this was the first time for me using this kind of equipment. I soon realized that my attempt to fix it was in vain. I sat down feeling a bit stuck and lost. Tired and frustrated, yes... and I started thinking that this is exactly the kind of situation I'm gonna learn the most from.
I thought my luck had returned when a nice Italian backpacker with a bike came out of nowhere. I asked him for some simple old time bike aid. He was in a hurry but had just enough time to give me what I needed. Or so I thought. After a while I realized that I couldn't fix it anyhow. I needed more tools. By now I was so exhausted that I just took a time out, sat down and ate abit instead. The time was passing midnight and I thought to myself that I might as well stay inside the station (since it was opened all night) and then try to get on just any train in the morning. Happy about making a decision a could finally relax.
I'd just been sitting there for a few minutes, when two police officers (or rather security guards) was coming by asking me where I was going. One of the men where bald, tall and just the type you don't want to have an argument. I wasn't in the mood to be charming, but I knew from all I've learned from psychology that I had to differentiate myself from any avarage bum or just plainly play stupid. I told him that I was supposed to take a train in the morning and that I didn't understand the ticket-machines that were available, since my german is limited and also rusty. I guess that was too vague an answer to him.
He had a really serious look and talked to me like I was the scum of the earth, and I fully understood that I had to reframe the situation and change his mood. I started talking joyfully about my plans for travelling.... when he wanted to investigate my box I gladly opened it and took out my guitar and offered to sing a bit... He didn't want that, but seemed a bit more at ease. I also showed him my problem, but he didn't seem to want to be of any help. He continued: - "You know you can't live here every night!" I reassured him that it was not my intention to live there. (I was thinking to myself that If I would be homeless this was the last place in the world to live. It was noisy, instant calls about incoming trains and a really shitty feeling. Who would want to be homeless here?)
Then he told me that I would not be able to take my box on a train. (too big) I asked the police about where to find buses out of town. (I actually already knew... this was just to make the police feeling more like a "helper of the decent weak" instead of "fighter of societys parasites") He finally told me that I could stay the night, but that I had to leave first thing in the morning. That was a deal I thought and shook his hand with a big kiss ass smile.
When he walked away I felt like I'd met this police before... probably ten years ago in this same station... I wonder if he subconciously remembered me and thought that I'd been living there for ten years.... ;) The irony of it all is that HE WAS, he was in some way living there for all those years... what a job, what a destiny... to keep people from taking care of their basic human needs... that is a job to be honoured. ;) The opposite of a social worker.
The night wasn't that good... I slept with a fleece blanket for a few hours. But it was a very special atmosphere lying there watching the roof. I felt like I was cought in a time bubble from the cold war... when people stopped coming in and out it was silent for a few moments... I started playing my guitar and the trainstation echoed like a church. Some taxi drivers and cleaning workers came by and complimented my singing. At last I felt at least a tiny bit at home... and the next day was coming on.
---------------------------------
I bought new, and better wheels to my carriage and spent the whole day in Flensburg. With a little help from some nice guys in a bicycle store I fixed the trolley and found my way to sing a bit. It was a sunny day, I got lots of coins and even some chocolate from an old lady. And then I also met this mysterious old traveller with his dog. He was really friendly and told me about his walking around Europe for many years as a juggler.
I wanted to take the Eurolines bus somewhere, but It didn't come... the timetables where like a crossword. The night came fast and I stayed in a hostel for the first time... (when I came there I saw that I'd been there before also... it's a funny feeling... like I'm walking in my own footsteps. Visiting my old self.
The next day I walked to the trainstation again, accompanied by my new friends. I thought it would be a good place to ask for advice. At daytime it was more positive. The information was opened and I was told that taking a train should be ok.
(don't always trust the police because they often play it by THE RULES, when people in general play BY HEART)
(diary from some time looking back)
Friday I was supposed to leave. Since I booked a ferry ticket for a car or bicycle, (my mistake of comparing my carriage to a bike) I had to rebook and leave early saturday. That gave me the opportunity to stay and have tea with my new/old friend Johanna. I had a great night talking about my plans and my philosophy. Yeah I think I talked too much about myself, but she's guilty of encouraging me.
Saturday morning felt great despite being tired. It's good to leave sweden. I spent the morning on the phone with friends and family, taking the time to talk while I was still in the local phone zone. The rest of the boat journey I spent contemplating the absurdity of slot machines. Who came up with the idea of turning boat-rides inte to floating casinos. I watched happy disabled people wasting their coins, and children screaming of joy when a few dimes came back out of the "one armed bandits", once in a while. Then i pulled out my earplugg's and tried to rest in the midst of crazy moneyspenders.
Finally in Denmark I ate a little and started singing in a public area. It was a fine spot, good acustics and just pedestrian streets, and some drunken swedes came by several times dropping a lot of money. All I had to do to make them happy was to sing a simple version of Knocking on heavens door. Unfortunetely the stores closed early and I got to talking with a dissapointed woman from Iran who was equally confused as I was concerning the stores. She had come to shop.
Before I stopped singing I had the fortune of meeting a Norweigian couple out on an everyday adventure. They were transporting goods and invited me to come along. Fredrikshavn to Padburg in one day. (all of Denmark) So I first started thinking for a second, then I stopped, and then I said Yes... not that I have to say yes to anything. It wasn't part of my plans, but I did say to myself before that if I'd get offered a significant ride (that could take me to warmer weather even faster...) then I would take it.
I walked to the beach, started writing a song, ate and watched the view. Then I fell asleep for an hour and woke up feeling a bit ill. I decided to find a place to rest out the day. Not far from where I was there was a nature area, dry wild land with a little pasture... I found a hidden place not far from the sea and put up my shelter. Then I slept for 14 hours, and I woke up feeling much better. I got my stuff together, went to town to meet up with Ivar and kristine. We decided to meet at the port three a clock. Then I had a pizza at a mexican restaurant, and sang a little for the owner who wished me luck on my journey.
There was a rock concert in town so I could'nt sing in the same place as last day. So I just sat down in another area singing just for fun. Then a nice guy named Eric came up and struck up a conversation. I sang some blues for him and then he wanted to buy me a pizza, I thanked him a lot but had to mention I'd already just had one. So he gave me some money for the road.
Eric told me about his own travels and the kindness that he'd met on the road. He also talked about the global economy, the internet and how everything is based on advertising these days. Every single human need is to be exploited to gain something. I fully understand his point of view. I think commercialism drains something from culture. But it's a strange paradox to me. Money is a means and as such it is good, but the monetary system is rent based and as such it's like a cancer.
It was a long day touring with Kristine and Ivar. They're the kind of people who are still passionate about doing new things, not letting children and professional life limit their destiny. We spoke constantly for four hours, except the time I was singing. Kristine told me about her cousine who is a famous musical artist in Norway... and how her whole family always had music to celebrate and spend time together. Sounds terrific.
They left me off at the end of their trip... southern Denmark... and I found a place to sleep for the night. Monday morning I started reading a few german phrases. I walked across the border and in to Harrisburg. After eating a little and waiting for the afternoon openings I went to the local library reading a little german and trying to learn some. I also wrote this.
Flensburg
When it finally ceased raining I found my way to Flensburg. It was getting late and I thought it would be a brilliant idea to take a train and sleep a few hours just to get further. When I reached the central station I was extremely tired. It was getting late, the reception was closed and there where only stairs up to the trains... my box is not that easy to get up like that. ;)
Just to make the night even more challenging one of my wheels suddenly started singing. The air was running out. I had received "ein punktíerung" or whatever the call it. This was not so alarming at first, since I had a super-fix-spray that would both fix it and pump the rubber. Now, this was the first time for me using this kind of equipment. I soon realized that my attempt to fix it was in vain. I sat down feeling a bit stuck and lost. Tired and frustrated, yes... and I started thinking that this is exactly the kind of situation I'm gonna learn the most from.
I thought my luck had returned when a nice Italian backpacker with a bike came out of nowhere. I asked him for some simple old time bike aid. He was in a hurry but had just enough time to give me what I needed. Or so I thought. After a while I realized that I couldn't fix it anyhow. I needed more tools. By now I was so exhausted that I just took a time out, sat down and ate abit instead. The time was passing midnight and I thought to myself that I might as well stay inside the station (since it was opened all night) and then try to get on just any train in the morning. Happy about making a decision a could finally relax.
I'd just been sitting there for a few minutes, when two police officers (or rather security guards) was coming by asking me where I was going. One of the men where bald, tall and just the type you don't want to have an argument. I wasn't in the mood to be charming, but I knew from all I've learned from psychology that I had to differentiate myself from any avarage bum or just plainly play stupid. I told him that I was supposed to take a train in the morning and that I didn't understand the ticket-machines that were available, since my german is limited and also rusty. I guess that was too vague an answer to him.
He had a really serious look and talked to me like I was the scum of the earth, and I fully understood that I had to reframe the situation and change his mood. I started talking joyfully about my plans for travelling.... when he wanted to investigate my box I gladly opened it and took out my guitar and offered to sing a bit... He didn't want that, but seemed a bit more at ease. I also showed him my problem, but he didn't seem to want to be of any help. He continued: - "You know you can't live here every night!" I reassured him that it was not my intention to live there. (I was thinking to myself that If I would be homeless this was the last place in the world to live. It was noisy, instant calls about incoming trains and a really shitty feeling. Who would want to be homeless here?)
Then he told me that I would not be able to take my box on a train. (too big) I asked the police about where to find buses out of town. (I actually already knew... this was just to make the police feeling more like a "helper of the decent weak" instead of "fighter of societys parasites") He finally told me that I could stay the night, but that I had to leave first thing in the morning. That was a deal I thought and shook his hand with a big kiss ass smile.
When he walked away I felt like I'd met this police before... probably ten years ago in this same station... I wonder if he subconciously remembered me and thought that I'd been living there for ten years.... ;) The irony of it all is that HE WAS, he was in some way living there for all those years... what a job, what a destiny... to keep people from taking care of their basic human needs... that is a job to be honoured. ;) The opposite of a social worker.
The night wasn't that good... I slept with a fleece blanket for a few hours. But it was a very special atmosphere lying there watching the roof. I felt like I was cought in a time bubble from the cold war... when people stopped coming in and out it was silent for a few moments... I started playing my guitar and the trainstation echoed like a church. Some taxi drivers and cleaning workers came by and complimented my singing. At last I felt at least a tiny bit at home... and the next day was coming on.
---------------------------------
I bought new, and better wheels to my carriage and spent the whole day in Flensburg. With a little help from some nice guys in a bicycle store I fixed the trolley and found my way to sing a bit. It was a sunny day, I got lots of coins and even some chocolate from an old lady. And then I also met this mysterious old traveller with his dog. He was really friendly and told me about his walking around Europe for many years as a juggler.
I wanted to take the Eurolines bus somewhere, but It didn't come... the timetables where like a crossword. The night came fast and I stayed in a hostel for the first time... (when I came there I saw that I'd been there before also... it's a funny feeling... like I'm walking in my own footsteps. Visiting my old self.
The next day I walked to the trainstation again, accompanied by my new friends. I thought it would be a good place to ask for advice. At daytime it was more positive. The information was opened and I was told that taking a train should be ok.
(don't always trust the police because they often play it by THE RULES, when people in general play BY HEART)
måndagen den 12:e oktober 2009
Sousse and my lost bag
There is a story to be told waiting on my computer. So many small incidents and occasions; feels more like a year than a month.
So instead I will tell the story of today.
I am writing this on a computer in Kalla Sghrira. It is a small village close to Sousse in Tunisia. Yesterday I got stuck in town with my travellingbox. Noone wanted to take me onboard. Too big the box. I met Achmed, a nice young english speaking student at the bus station. He was friendly in a non threatening way, the way that you can sense subconciously that he didnt want to get money or anything. So I agreed to let him help me. His brother had a car so he would be able to drive me home to Ernas place in Hergla. (Erna is sister to my cousins father and has been living in Tunisia for 30 years)
I was served food and treated like a brother by this family of 2 parents, 5 brothers and a sister. When it was getting darker I got a ride home to Ernas . (I had never been there before and was stunned by the beautiful house by the sea... it looked like a fairitale to me) Its almost surreal to come to a place that looks this good after my experiences in Tunis the last week.
Just when I thought everything was good and done for the night, I came to the realization that Id left my bag in the car of the friendly neighbour of the family who drove me home. Nothing to worry about I said, but then I also remembered that all of my contact information was in that bag. I went to bed knowing that I had to be a detective to get back to that place.
I woke up today and washed my clothes took a bath and then off to Sousse.
I had a few clues:
the family was producing honey. (they gave me some and it was really good)
the father was a good chef in a hotel restaurant. (he made food for me to eat, delicious classic Tunisian)
the son Achmed, that I met in the bus station, was a student of litterature history.
the other brother played guitar in a rock band.
And the town was called "the little" so,ething because there was to towns with the same name.
At first I tried reaching the school in Sousse but I had no luck.
After wandering around for a few hours I took a taxi "Loage" to Kalaa Sghrira, wich was the name of the town. (as far as Erna could guess)
I asked the taxidriver if i knew and he started helping me asking around, yelling for people on the street about my clues. ;D It was interesting to see him at work. Thats effective research I thought.
Finally it actually turns out that the taxidriver is a friend of the family. When we get there I feel like Ive been taken on a ride on a search engine. So now, maintenant, here I am. I was given food and a place to rest. Soon I will go back to Hergla , but first Achmed has to come home and show us where the bag is. I will not forget the kindness of this family.
This was another strange day...
I wont forget my bag like this again, especially when I have my most essential digital information storage in it. (500 GB of precious information that I need for my adventures)
Thats all folks... ;D
Nights in Tunisia is the song to learn now I think...
So instead I will tell the story of today.
I am writing this on a computer in Kalla Sghrira. It is a small village close to Sousse in Tunisia. Yesterday I got stuck in town with my travellingbox. Noone wanted to take me onboard. Too big the box. I met Achmed, a nice young english speaking student at the bus station. He was friendly in a non threatening way, the way that you can sense subconciously that he didnt want to get money or anything. So I agreed to let him help me. His brother had a car so he would be able to drive me home to Ernas place in Hergla. (Erna is sister to my cousins father and has been living in Tunisia for 30 years)
I was served food and treated like a brother by this family of 2 parents, 5 brothers and a sister. When it was getting darker I got a ride home to Ernas . (I had never been there before and was stunned by the beautiful house by the sea... it looked like a fairitale to me) Its almost surreal to come to a place that looks this good after my experiences in Tunis the last week.
Just when I thought everything was good and done for the night, I came to the realization that Id left my bag in the car of the friendly neighbour of the family who drove me home. Nothing to worry about I said, but then I also remembered that all of my contact information was in that bag. I went to bed knowing that I had to be a detective to get back to that place.
I woke up today and washed my clothes took a bath and then off to Sousse.
I had a few clues:
the family was producing honey. (they gave me some and it was really good)
the father was a good chef in a hotel restaurant. (he made food for me to eat, delicious classic Tunisian)
the son Achmed, that I met in the bus station, was a student of litterature history.
the other brother played guitar in a rock band.
And the town was called "the little" so,ething because there was to towns with the same name.
At first I tried reaching the school in Sousse but I had no luck.
After wandering around for a few hours I took a taxi "Loage" to Kalaa Sghrira, wich was the name of the town. (as far as Erna could guess)
I asked the taxidriver if i knew and he started helping me asking around, yelling for people on the street about my clues. ;D It was interesting to see him at work. Thats effective research I thought.
Finally it actually turns out that the taxidriver is a friend of the family. When we get there I feel like Ive been taken on a ride on a search engine. So now, maintenant, here I am. I was given food and a place to rest. Soon I will go back to Hergla , but first Achmed has to come home and show us where the bag is. I will not forget the kindness of this family.
This was another strange day...
I wont forget my bag like this again, especially when I have my most essential digital information storage in it. (500 GB of precious information that I need for my adventures)
Thats all folks... ;D
Nights in Tunisia is the song to learn now I think...
söndagen den 4:e oktober 2009
And fast forward to Tunisia! ;)
I wish I would have updated this blog more. As it turns out my networkcard of my computer is broken. Quite alot have happened the last few days, and Ive also changed my plans dramatically. Tomorrow I will be on the ferry from Salerno (in Italy) to Tunis. (Capital of Tunisia) If I like it I will stay for a few months. My plan is to learn french, record songs and stay cheap in weather that suits a scandinavian. ;)
I will tell the story about coming here later on when I get more time. I think this will be a good start to get ready for the next year, playing in pianobars and such things. So I will go on walking later on. Perhaps the experience of dwelling for some time in a region will be even more interesting.
Take care and expect some writing on the blog within the coming week... and pictures of course...
I will tell the story about coming here later on when I get more time. I think this will be a good start to get ready for the next year, playing in pianobars and such things. So I will go on walking later on. Perhaps the experience of dwelling for some time in a region will be even more interesting.
Take care and expect some writing on the blog within the coming week... and pictures of course...
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