Day 1: After
spending 3 hours at the Algerian border, our taxi driver got frantic and was in
a flat spin after waiting another 3 hours at the Tunisian border. 5 km across the border and we got stopped by
the first police officer and escorted to the police station where I was asked
whether I am single! Then I was
introduced to a police officer who told me he was single as well. We were told that we cannot go to the
mountain so our next stop was at the government office and off we sped.
Another taxi driver then took us to the bottom of the mountain where a local herdsman told us that he won’t even let their sheep graze there. Driving further we met an English speaking lady who told us they were also in the dark as to why no one except the military guys were allowed up the mountain.
It has been a hectic two days in Tunisia and I can’t say I was sorry to leave.
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| Crossing the border from Algeria to Tunisia was a nightmare |
Our taxi driver
was past irritated and informed us that his child was sick and that he hasn’t
slept for a while. It took us 6 hours to cross the border and another
useless hour at the police station.
We had no luck
at the government office and no luck with the military guys. By now, every government office had a copy of
our passports and all we have heard so far was that it was illegal to go to the
mountain. Our irritated taxi driver said ‘no
chamber mountains” – and did the throat cut motion”. Landmines were also mentioned.
In the meantime, Taxi man got extremely agitated and after I slipped him $30, the dopamine kicked in and instead of chucking our bags on the pavement, he waltzed behind us.
In the meantime, Taxi man got extremely agitated and after I slipped him $30, the dopamine kicked in and instead of chucking our bags on the pavement, he waltzed behind us.
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| 5 km from the border post |
After lunch I was
told that we were going to sneak up and I have to admit that I did not feel
comfortable with it. I had nothing black
to wear plus everyone in town knew that we were trying to get to the top of the
mountain.
Another taxi driver then took us to the bottom of the mountain where a local herdsman told us that he won’t even let their sheep graze there. Driving further we met an English speaking lady who told us they were also in the dark as to why no one except the military guys were allowed up the mountain.
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| Waiting for a taxi to take us to the airbnb |
Day 2: After a
bumpy ride to Tunis, we checked into a luxurious Airbnb where I visit a Haman
for the first time. I had no clue what I
was supposed to do and did not understand one word that was said but the next
minute I was grabbed by a lady working there and scrubbed until I wanted to
shout! I declined her offer for a wax
though.
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| On my way to the airport |
It has been a hectic two days in Tunisia and I can’t say I was sorry to leave.
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