Tunisian Culture

In Tunisia, we are sipping great wine, eating great food, and being immersed in their culture. I got to learn about 3,000-4,000 years of Islamic history in 3 hours. It was amazing to hear all of this history in such a short amount of time. It was even better to have heard this lecture in the American Embassy in Tunisia. The woman who spoke about this history spoke passionately about it because it was her heritage and she was proud to be the one to pass her knowledge on to more people. After the lecture, another Tunisian woman came to our villa to cook for us. We all observed the preparation and cooking of authentic Tunisian cuisine, which is filled with fresh ingredients that come from the souk, an outdoor marketplace. The freshness and unique spices contribute to create flavors that we cannot get in the US. I learned how to make this aromatic roasted red pepper salad that can be eaten plain, with bread, or used in making several other dishes. She topped the pureed peppers with tuna fish and olives. Before this trip,I hated tuna and olives, but since being here I have not been able to get enough of it. The food here is just so fresh and it does not have preservatives or chemicals in them that I believe cause the ingredients to lack potency and flavor. After dinner,the Tunisian students and their professor came over to give us group gifts. They gave us CD's and DVD's that explain the Islamic and Tunisian culture. These gifts are for us to bring back to the U.S. to share with American students and to educate them about a culture that is rarely talked about and almost wholly unknown to most Americans. I would like to create an open discussion with the American students about this culture and their reaction to its history and how their perception has changed or stayed the same. The wonderful people I have met are well educated and feel passionate towards their country like we do. They have strong feelings about how they are being perceived by the media and struggle with many of the same things that we do. The students also love some of the same things that we do for example, they love to sing, dance, and listen to music. We spent last night singing songs that we all knew, like Michael Jackson as well as singing songs that are from each of our culture. The Tunisian students sang beautiful Arabic songs and we sang songs that are native to our country. I have had a lot of fun over here in Tunisia, and I have also learned a lot about the culture and through the eyes of the people and the students that I have interacted with. I cannot wait for tonight because we have been invited by one of the Tunisian students named Hella for a Tunisian dinner and dancing!

I need to go now so I can get ready for a true Tunisian party with my new friends!!!

Basleema!