1:30 in the night. There is a knocking at our Felix, several times and fiercely. By the time I realise what's going on, Gerd has already thrown on his jeans, looks out and chats in French with the knockers.
We may drive away, we are asked. And looking closely at the situation, we see that a lot of market stalls have already been set up around us.
That's right, today is Friday and market day in many places. And we are glad to still be able to get out. Otherwise we would have been stuck until Friday evening. Because manoeuvring our "little Felix" quickly between the market stalls would be simply impossible.
We quickly put away the Advent wreath and the used tea cups in the cupboards and sit - Gerd had at least still put on something sensible and I, yes, in a nightgown - in our little house and quickly drive out of the way.
But where to? The brain crackles, but it is not yet capable of anything more. To the harbour car park? Hm, the way is already blocked. Okay, then up to the cemetery. And then the bigger round around the peninsula.
"You, there is no entry!", I call to Gerd, while he "reinterprets" the no entry sign and then follows the road. Let's hope for the best.
At some point we are back on the main road and there is a perfect spot for us right at the side of the road. We close the curtains again and crawl into bed.
Since all the normal roads are filled with market traffic, our sleeping place is the only connecting road. Every 5 minutes we are prevented from sleeping by cars speeding past us. Cars and motorbikes rattle, and trucks make our bed sway due to the pressure wave.
At some point, even this night comes to an end, we get dressed and look for a strong "Kaffee Türk", as they call the coffee I love.
We stroll through endless alleys full of market stalls and try to get some money out of the ATMs (at the weekend, the machines have less money because the ATM refillers are not working. They simply reduce the maximum amount from 800 to 300 dinars. Well, other countries, other rules).
I distribute all my coin money to the needy, Gerd his cat food to the Büsis. We buy fresh carrots (yummi!) and floury potatoes (my German heart jumps for joy) and lots of fresh vegetables.
Around noon, we leave the coastal town of Mahdia and head inland. Let's see what it's like there. And: We urgently need an afternoon nap.
Merci for "travelling with us
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10 November 2023 - Start 7 pm, door opening 6:45 pm
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Road trip realities
How we manage to live in the van
Leben pur! Unterwegs. Whether at icy -30 °C in the Lapland winter or in the sand of the Tunisian desert, whether in the left-hand traffic of England or along picturesque dream coasts of Europe. Whether in the hot summer of Turkey or in the "interesting" traffic of Georgia.
We report on frozen sliding doors, living together on 9.5 square metres, the inevitable sand in the desert and unforgettable ferry trips. We look at how we make do with little and still have way too much.
