Tunisia
The northernmost country in Africa, Tunisia sits very close to Europe and very, very far from what most people imagine when they think of stereotypical "Africa".
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A long-term substitute teaching role brought me to this unique country for a few months, and I'm glad I got to learn some Tunisian Arabic, eat the abundant oranges, and explore the astounding ruins of ancient Carthage.
Carthage
El Jem
Hammamet
Tunis
Carthage
Ruins of an ancient city
A random Saturday in February brought me to the ruins of one of the most powerful cities in the region before being destroyed by Rome.
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Today, I was a tourist. I started at the Amphitheatre of Carthage, where I paid about $4 USD to have access to all the sites. I was the only person there, and I took my time walking the grassy area that was home to small ruined pillars. I made my way to the Punic Quarter of Byrsa, where there were a lot more people enjoying the spectacular view. Overlooking lower ground that stretched to the sea, the sight of many ruins with the modern city in the background was chilling. I ended by exploring the Baths of Antonius. At each of these places, the visitor can walk in amoung the ruins (to a point), which is astonishing to me as an American used to guard rails warding off idle hands and feet at our famous history sites. Needless to say, I greatly enjoyed my day wandering solo around Carthage.
Was I ashamed to be a tourist in this scenario? No. How else was I supposed to experience this marvel of the world? It helped to know that I was not just a pokey American gawking at the sites, but I was right alongside Tunisian families who were coming to Carthage, perhaps for the first time. We were alongside the French, the Italians, and the Algerians.
My day in Carthage remains one of my favourite memories from my months in North Africa. I still can't believe I got to walk over and under and around these thousand-year-old structures! It helped me to have a better understanding of the whole country of Tunisia in general, which shaped the remainder of my time living there and gave me a better understanding of the country's history and context to the rest of the world.
If you find yourself anywhere near North Africa, go to Carthage for a day. You'll be missing out if you don't!
