With the Formal Ball and Banquet a "girls
night out" and the boyz in major hot
water (and smelly too), the rest of the journey
across the Atlantic was WONDERFUL. You would have thought that all the boyz
who missed the Ball
had been hired as
servants
for the cruise. While all the girls were not really mad (frankly,
the "girls night out" was a friggin
blast), they took advantage of the guilt
their BF's were feeling. Need a Jet Ski unloaded?
MM will do it. Need some more wine? Ice would
race Dr. Caius to the wine rack. Mela and
I just sat back and laughed and watched as
our girlfriends from Moove milked that cow
all the way to the coast of Africa. We arrived off the Tunisian Coast at sunrise
with Radio Tunis
blaring across the Crystal
Wind. It was Randos
little joke. LOL. I found
out later that Captain
Rando had planned
ahead with the other
three Captains to wake
all the guests up
at 5:30 a.m. by playing
Radio Tunis as loud
as they could. It was
like some sick way
to get us in the mood
for this wonderful
North African culture
and country.
Tunisia has gorgeous beaches and their historical
treasures attract millions of tourists from
all over the world every year. Nearly 5 million tourists visited Tunisia
in 1999. In 2004 that number climbed to more
than 6 million. Avatars, American and most European tourists
do not require visas to enter Tunisia. There are more than 722 hotels in the country,
totaling 191, 955
beds. Seven international
airports, and eight
passenger ports connect
Tunisia to the United
States and Europe.
The capital city,
Tunis, is a two-hour
flight
from Paris and London
and a fifty- minute
flight from Rome.
Daily flights connect
Tunisia
to virtually all
European, African
and Middle
Eastern destinations. This easy access to Tunisia brings global
visitors to sunbathe,
dive, sail, and fish
along the
Full name: Tunisian Republic Population: 10.3 million (UN, 2007) Capital: Tunis Area: 164,150 sq km (63,378 sq miles) Major languages: Arabic (official); French
Major religion: Islam Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 76 years
(women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000
millimes Main exports: Agricultural products, textiles,
oil GNI per capita: US $2,890 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .tn International dialling code: +216
vast stretches of
glistening, white
sandy
Mediterranean beaches
which cover a 810-
mile coast. Beach
resorts include Tabarka,
Hammamet (our choice),
Sousse and Jerba. The population of Tunisia numbers approximately
10.216.000 million inhabitants. Slightly
more than Moove. The demographic growth rate
is 1.08 % ( 2007 figures). Arab, Berber, African, and European influences
have helped shape
the unique Tunisian
cultural
identity. The overwhelming
majority of the
population is Muslim,
and the official
religion
is Sunni Islam. Christian
and Jewish communities
practice their faith
freely and contribute
to Tunisia's rich
cultural diversity.
Tunisia's population is over 65% urban. The
greater area, Tunis
with a population
more
than 2.3 million,
is one of the principal
cosmopolitan urban
centers of the Mediterranean.
Other cities in Tunisia
include Carthage,
Jerba, Hammamet,
Sfax, Nabeul, Kairouan,
Sousse, Bizerte,
Jendouba, Medenine,
Monastir,
Gabes, Gafsa, Tabarka,
Zarzis, Beja, Kasserine
and Le Kef. The official language is Arabic; French is
widely used. English
is spoken among a growing
number of Tunisians.
Many also speak Italian. The family remains the basic unit of Tunisian
society . With the
assistance of public
and
private institutions,
it continues to function
as a vital support
mechanism for the
individual
at all stages of
life. Enjoying total
equality
of rights with men,
women have gained
a good
measure of autonomy
and are able to pursue
their own careers
on an equal footing
with
men.
The guests
on the Mine
Games arriving on
the coast of
North Africa
The structure of Tunisian society is characterized
by the predominance
of the middle class
(around
75 to 80% of the
population). There
has been
a continuous rise
in the standard of
living
of Tunisia's citizens
thanks to sound development
policies and to the
implementation, since
1987, of a series
of measures and actions
which have promoted
business initiative
and
economic opportunity,
and ensured the access
of all citizens to
basic amenities.
Punic and Roman archaeological sites can
be visited in Carthage
and other historical
areas around the
country. They include
second
century Roman temple
in Dougga, the Phoenician
port of Utica, Sbeitla's
Roman temples and
arches, Bulla Regia's
Roman villas and
El
Jem's Coliseum, which
is second only to
Rome.
The Bardo Museum,
near Tunis, boasts
the
largest collection
of Roman mosaics
in the
world.
Masterpieces of Arab-Islamic
architecture
attract the attention
of visitors. Among
them: the Great Mosque
of Kairouan, the
Moslem
World's fourth holiest
city, and the Great
Mosque of Ezzitouna,
at the center of
the
old city (the Medina)
of Tunis.
Women have
been given
many rights
and are
on the road
to equality
in Tunisia
Women and Civil Rights in Tunisia With all the talk and attention that Women's
Rights are getting in Moove; and having two
people
Devout Muslim women must struggle to balance
their faith with the Human right of equality
for all.
refuse to cruise with us due to "the
hostile treatment of women" in the countries
we were going to visit - I decided to answer
those charges in regards to Tunisia. First, let me say that to judge a whole culture
or group of people for what a few do is just
plain dumb. That is like me saying I will
NEVER go to Mississippi cause one time I
read that a man beat up his wife and kids
down there. The principle of equality of men and women
with respect to citizenship
and before the
courts is expressly
stipulated in Tunisian
legal texts. As early
as 1956, the Code of
Personal Status established
a new organization
of the family based
on equality of rights,
through a series
of provisions that included:
Mela looking over ANOTHER residence in Tunis.
As has been the habit of sweet Mela, she
did buy this one as a vacation home.
The abolition of polygamy; The establishment of judicial divorce proceedings,
granting both spouses
the right to request
divorce; Setting the minimum age for marriage at 17
for girls, and providing
that they must consent
to the marriage;
In the case of death of the child's father,
granting the mother
the right of custody
of their minor children.
The new amendments announced by the President
of the Republic on
August 13, 1992 have,
meanwhile, strengthened
the place of women
still further, confirming
the principle according
to which their rights
are inseparable from
those of men, eliminating
legal provisions
that could be interpreted
as discriminatory
and sexist. These
amendments, adopted by
the Chamber of
Craftie looking
Yummy on the
Hammamet beach
Deputies in July 1993, stipulate in particular:
That the two spouses "must treat each
other with kindness
and consideration,
and
assist each other
in the management
of the
household and the
affairs of their
children."
This provision replaces
the former clause
providing that "the
woman must obey
her husband";
That a mother's consent must be obtained
for the marriage
of a daughter who is a minor;
that mothers may
participate in the
management
of their children's
affairs, particularly
in the case of a
divorced mother who
has
custody of her children;
That married girls who are still legal minors
have the right to
manage their own private
life and affairs;
That a fund be created to guarantee payment
of child support
and alimony to divorced
women and their children.
That judges receive training in the field
of women's rights,
and that specialists be
trained in
On the second
day in Tunisia, the girls decided
to take a few
sailing lessons while the boyz
did more fishing.
personal status and in sociological and
psychological matters;
That the provisions referring to child support
and alimony be recast
in such a way as to
ensure payment of
child support for the couple's
children until they
reach their majority
or finish their schooling;
in the case of
girls, this allowance
continues to be due
even after they reach
the age of majority,
until they marry,
or if they have no income
of their own. This reform also specifies that a child's
maternal grandparents
are entitled to an
allowance, an advantage
which was formerly
enjoyed only by the
paternal grandparents. Furthermore, by virtue of measures adopted
by President Zine
El Abidine Ben Ali on April
5, 1996 in favor
of the family, child support
is automatically
awarded to a divorced woman
who has
Sunsets in
Tunisia were
romantic and
works
of art.
custody of her children.
On August 10, 2004 a woman was appointed
to the position of public prosecutor and
another woman was appointed to serve as Director
General of the Higher Magistracy, Institute.
On January 1, 2006
a measure initially
included
in President Ben
Ali' 2004 electoral
program
granting women the
possibility to work
half
time for two thirds
of their salary went
into effect. On August 12, 2006, during an address marking
the commemoration of the 50th anniversary
of Tunisia's Code of Personal Status, President
Ben Ali called for -submitting to the Iegislature
a bill ensuring the right to housing for
mothers and the children under their custody
in case of tensions in marital relations
or divorce, as well as - he also called for
submitting to the legislature a bill unifying
the minimum marrying age in order to strengthen
gender equality and adapt the legislation
to Tunisia's cultural and social foundation.
Exploring the
back alleys
of Tunis.
Moreover, 99% of Tunisian 6-year-old girls are enrolled
ln schools. The proportion of girls in secondary schools
is 53%.
In higher education,
female students make
up 59% of the total
number of students, Life expectancy among women: 75.3 years. Deliveries performed with medical assistance:
90%. Seven women are members of the Government
Women make up nearly
one-quarter of Tunisia
s working population:
More than 10,000
women
are heads of businesses. The proportions of female representation
in legislative and
advisory bodies are: 22.7%
in the
Apollo hanging
with the girls
in Tunisia.
Chamber of Deputies, over 15% in the Chamber
of Advisors, over
27% in municipal councils,
18% in the Economic
and Social Council, 13.3%
in the Higher Council
of the Judiciary, 12%
among ministry departmental
staff, and 26.4%
of the RCD Central
Committee.
Women also constitute
:
- 27% of judges.
- 31% of lawyers.
- 42% of the medical
profession.
- 72% of pharmacists.
- 34% of journalists.
They also represent
:
- 21% of the staff
in the public service.
- 51% of basic education
instructors.
- 48% of secondary
education teachers.
- 40% of universlty
professors.
- 16.7% in the sector
of agriculture and
fisheries.
Dark Embrace
doing some
modeling for
her
new online
boutique
- 26.4% in die sector
of manufacturing
industries.
- 46.9% in the sector
of commerce and services. So, with that said, to everyone who reads
the Crystal Angel, I urge you to set aside
prejudice or judgement of people based on
your own ignorance and limited knowledge
of the group or culture you do not like.
Base your friendships on the soul and heart
of each person, not what label has been placed
on them. We all left our yachts at the same time,
some of us taking the tenders, others the
helicopter, while Aylin and Doc Caius wanted
to use the Sky Car. We started to check in
at the resort and
Twisted Dragon
was the barter
queen. I just
let her do
the talking.
decided not to stay due to all the construction.
It was very noisy and dusty and we had luxury
and quiet comfort waiting for us on our boats. After gathering for a wonderful brunch of
Leblebi or Chickpea
Breakfast Soup (though
predominantly Arab
and Muslim, Tunisia's
long history as a
European colony, dating
back to Roman times,
and more recently as
a protectorate of
France, has added to the
Mediterranean and
North African culinary
influences found
in Tunisian cuisine), we
all headed out to
do the tourist thing. Embrace and Rando decided to go with MysteryMan,
Wood and Twisted
shopping in the bazaars
as Twisted is an
amazing barterer. Doc, Aylin,
Apollo, Jasmine68,
Carlie, Dave, Maggy, Waya,
Livid, Craftie Lady,
Ice King and Sweet Anne
decided to visit
the The Bardo Museum. The Bardo, located in the suburbs of Tunis,
is in itself, an
architectural landmark.
The Bardo Museum
welcomed us
as Avatars.
Originally a 13th
century Hafside palace,
it has been restored
and expanded throughout
the
centuries to become
this superb example of
Arab-Moslem 17th
and 18th century architecture
and decoration with
its vaulted ceilings,
galleries and cupolas.
How fitting also that
the finest collection
of Roman mosaics in
the world should
be housed in this delightful
setting We had decided ahead of time to all meet
and eat a traditional
Tunisian dinner at
La Voile D'or which
offers breathtaking views
over the Mediterranean
Sea. Like all countries in the Mediterranean basin,
Tunisia offers a "sun cuisine,"
based mainly on olive oil, spices, tomatoes,
seafood (a wide range of fish) and meat from
rearing (lamb). We pigged out to say the
least.
Tory, Embrace
and Mela on a rooftop in Tunisia
Like in the rest of North Africa, couscous
was served. It is traditionally eaten with
lamb (which we also devoured) with the vegetables
(carrots, little white cabbages, turnips,
chick peas) only lightly cooked. Depending
on the season, the vegetables change. We
also enjoyed having cardoons, cold broad
beans, and pumpki with our couscous.
Dr. Caius and Aylin Lady exploring the history
of Tunisia
Couscous can also be made with chicken, fish
or osben, a kind of round sausage made with
tripe and various herbs. Different spices
are used depending on the region, like cinnamon
(kerfa) or dried and crushed rose buds (chouch
el ward). The Tajines we were served were nothing like
Moroccan tajines Mela and I tasted last Autumn.
In Tunisia, they are egg based dishes with
chopped meat prepared like a large cake.
Cooked in the oven, they can be seasoned
with parsley, cheese or grilled peppers (the
most common). Our group also enjoyed shoulder of lamb with
potato (koucha bil aallouch), and meat balls
(kaftagi) with tomato and fried peppers,
whichwere very spicy and served with mint
(bnadaq). We also thoroughly enjoyed the egg-based
chakchouka, a kind of ratatouille provencale
made with peppers, tomatoes, and egg; ojja. After one of the best meals I have ever had
overseas, Mela and I took the Sky Car out
for an evening, eagle-eye view of this North
African Gem. The rest of our group wandered
off in two's to explore whatever magical
romantic powers were riding on the warm Mediterranean breeze.
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With the Formal Ball and Banquet a "girls
night out" and the boyz in major hot
water (and smelly too), the rest of the journey
across the Atlantic was WONDERFUL.
Full name: Tunisian Republic 
