We've made it 1 Month!

I can't believe we have been here for a month already!! Wow, the time has flown by. The novelty of being in this beautiful marble palace is wearing off, though, and we are itching to get into our own house and get settled. We found out today that our container coming on the ship has only made it to Barcelona so it will take a while longer to get here. It would be nice to have more than 4 outfits for each of us. And the girls are growing out of theirs or just plain wrecking them. Oh well. More shopping!!! Perhaps at the frip ("freep") - a swap meet with lots of new clothes. Apparently some European brand names. I will have to check out the craziness sometime. We have been out shopping for the house too but I can't remember the stuff we have packed and don't want to double up. So we will do without some stuff until we see what we have I guess.

Today the girls and I looked for a store with "good" bedding. Good right now for me means sheets that don't feel like sandpaper. Unfortunately we didn't find the shop. That will just give us another adventure for another day. However we need it for the end of this week. So we might end up with sandpapery sheets for a bit until we can take the time to look for some good stuff. We met Travis at his office and went to a hotel supply store to look for kitchenwares. When I told Hunter that Dad had called and were were going to the office to see him she asked why the boss of the office wanted to see us. I said that it was Dad who wanted to see us and she said, "But Dad is the boss of the office and he wants to see us at the office. Why does he want to see us at the office?" I think she thought we were in trouble since she has found out that Travis is now a "boss". Up until then it would have just been a visit to the office. Anyway, we got to the store and there was a lot of good quality kitchen stuff which was lovely to see. We picked out a set of dishes, some knives and a pot... with a lid!!! The dishes no longer have the bowls so we came away with only a pot and knives. So still no cereal at the new house! And the shopping continues. Again, this not driving is no fun. I think I will have to learn to maneuver the crazy streets of Tunis soon.

Next week we are going to the Canadian Ambassador's for a work dinner party. Something about a project they are doing... I'm just interested in the party part. So, since all my clothes are on a boat in Spain I get to go shopping for something to wear. I have no idea what is suitable for a party like this (suggestions are welcome) but we'll see what is out there. I may even need new shoes, who knows!!! ;) Oh course, shopping with the girls and having to change in change rooms with only curtains for doors is always a fun, fun challenge. I might come home with 5 dresses just so I can try them on in peace. Or at least without the whole mall watching me.

We have been learning so many things since we've been here. For example, the oranges on the orange trees in our backyard right now are not really for eating. They are gross. The blossoms are probably to be used for orange water which is used for flavouring desserts or hands at the end of a meal. Thompson or Blood oranges, however, are delicious. We don't have those trees though. Also, when crossing the street, I just hold on to the girls and drag them. Pedestrians don't have the right of way. Don't make eye contact with drivers because if you do, you are more likely to be run over. They know you have seen them and will assume you are going to get out of the way. So I try to stop Hunter from waving at everyone she sees!!! Most of the police don't have guns although they do have holsters. But guards at embassies or consulates hang out with machine guns. They aren't mean, they are still smiling and will make silly sounds at the girls. It's strange. The girls love to see the donkeys pulling carts of scrap metal down the streets. I figure that if donkeys can make it in Tunisian traffic, I should be able to drive in it.

Every day I am realizing what an amazing opportunity this is. Today I was looking at all the people we saw and thinking that the more I see and the more I travel the more I see the similarities in everyone. On the surface, cultures have differences, of course, but every one works, cooks and plays essentially the same. The kids Hunter and Elliot meet play the same games even though they don't speak the same languages. I'm not sure if this makes sense but it is interesting to meet new people and find they have do the same things day to day and have the same interests and concerns.

Another thing I've learned is that couscous is NOT supposed to only take 5 minutes to cook!! When we tried to explain that to our friends here they had no idea what we were talking about. They take 2 hours to steam their couscous. Silly people. ;) Of course, theirs tastes much better and is much more interesting and I intend to learn how to cook Tunisian couscous in a proper "couscousiere" steamer pot.

Although I will probably leave out some of the spices. A lot of the traditional food here is very spicy.

As of last night we have company in the house again. "Papa" Terry and Jeff are here this week. The girls actually had an argument yesterday about whose "Papa" Terry is. Elliot has taken quite a liking to Terry and has gotten a big possessive. Both girls get very excited when the guys from the office come. Next week the house will be full of Travis' coworkers so we will be out before then. Roy, one of the guys who was here a few weeks ago, asked Travis if we would be here when they were here as he really liked having the girls in the house. Travis told him we wouldn't be but I thought he should have offered to leave the girls here for the week!!!

It will be a busy week shopping and getting ready for our move into the new house. And next week we are off to Djerba with Travis and coworkers. They are going for a project presentation in the desert. We will go for the beach!

Good night from Tunis.