Tunisia - Kesra and Tunisian hospitality par excellence

Tunisia - Kesra and Tunisian hospitality par excellence

Kesra, the highest village in Tunisia, is a place steeped in history. At 1200 metres above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The village is famous for its traditional houses built close together. One attraction is said to be the waterfall that pours through the mountains and offers a beautiful sight. But we try in vain to see the beauty of the waterfall. The marketing copywriters must have been a little over-motivated.

A real sight, however, is the Byzantine citadel, which is enthroned on a hill and offers a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings. We take a walk through the citadel, which is still inhabited, buy delicious herb bread from a Berber woman and consider taking a break here for a few days to work.

Via a colourful Berber staircase, the path leads us up to the cliff edge with an impressive view and we know: Yes, we are staying. 

As the sun slowly turns the horizon orange, we drive our Felix up adventurous switchbacks (and suspect that these roads were actually only built for 4×4s and the scooters that are common everywhere). 

Once we reach the top, we shelter against a cemetery wall with a view into the distance. And that, we realise late at night, is a good idea. Because the wind is not to be underestimated up here!

No sooner have we stopped than it calls out next to us in Bear German: "Hello, what are Bernese doing here?" And then: "Welcome to my homeland.

A Tunisian welcomes us, proudly tells us about his city and at the same time that he is only here on holiday, actually he lives and works in Bern. Whether we have enough to eat, whether we need anything, whether we need help. Phone numbers are quickly exchanged and we are once again stunned by so much hospitality.

But that's not all, as we discover a little later. His brother arrives half an hour later with a bag full of food: fresh bread, a huge bowl of couscous with vegetables and meat, harissa and grilled peppers (paprika, for us Germans).

As we unpack the bag, we think that there will probably be 5 to 10 more people, that's how much was brought to us, but these are probably Tunisian crowds that we will probably never get used to.

The next day we work diligently with the best view and lots of visitors from turkeys, sheep, goats and chickens. In the evening Gerd brings the clean dishes down to town to our patron. He is already expected at the door: The men just swap bags: empty dishes for full ones. Today we have grilled fish, vegetables, another form of Berber bread and French fries. And harissa, of course, right?

I set the table, we eat our present (our own things in the fridge will have to wait!) and laugh including tears of joy. So beautiful!

There is a knock at the door, it is the brother again, he brings us a kilo of mountain honey. We would like to give him something in return, but he doesn't allow it. "Bienvenue en Tunisie", he says with a smile and rattles off on his scooter.

Can someone pinch us? Can this all be true? We are sitting in our Felix, at the most beautiful sunset in a country full of surprises and just today we are thinking again: Good decision, this travelling!

As so often, we thank them by WhatsApp, and a voice message comes back with the following content: "You are always welcome, also with friends and family, I'd love to! And if anything happens, even if I'm already back in Switzerland, get in touch, my family will take care of it and help you! Have a good trip and "Schön, sid dir da gsi!"

Thank you Tunisia, thank you the unknown Tunisian bearer, whom we would so like to meet again when we are in Bern, to thank him once more in person.

We will always remember Kesra. Because of the citadel? Hm, maybe. Because of the colourful staircase, yes, that's possible. Because of the people? Definitely!

pure life 230108 16 26 008

pure life 230108 16 25 004

pure life 230110 16 46 012

pure life 230108 16 20 002

pure life 230110 16 50 013

pure life 230110 17 05 001

pure life 230109 14 31 009

pure life 230108 17 59 008

pure life 230108 17 28 007

pure life 230109 19 31 011

pure life 230109 19 27 010

pure life 230108 16 11 001

pure life 230108 16 47 006


Merci for "travelling with us

Here you can find our future lectures:

Our current and past lectures are listed here. You can register via the links next to the dates. There will probably be new ones every now and then, so make a note of the link!

Date: 25 & 26 October 2024
Our lectures: 25. 10. 14:00 & 26.10. 10:40
Location: Switzerland, two Vanlife lectures at the Suisse Caravan Salon Bern
Registration: not necessary, but you have to pay admission to the Caravan Salon (or contact us, we can give away a few day tickets).

Date: 25 & 26 October 2024
Our lectures: 25. 10. 12:00 & 26.10. 14:00
Location: Switzerland, two Vanlife lectures at the Suisse Caravan Salon Bern
Registration: not necessary, but you have to pay admission to the Caravan Salon (or contact us, we can give away a few day tickets).

Date: 24 November 2024 4 pm (doors open at 3 pm)
Location: Germany, Landgasthof zum Mühlenteich 15345 Eggersdorf near Berlin
Registration: https://forms.gle/5XFgSz31NKzmCzmT8


Do you think our travel experiences might be of interest to others? Then you can share the Share post quietly. By e-mail or however you want to do it.

In addition, if you haven't already done so, you can use our Newsletter subscribe. Here you will receive all our experiences in your mailbox whenever we publish something new or once a week on Fridays: live-pur.ch/newsletter

We are also very happy to hear your views, your tips or your questions. Just comment on the post!

 

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sabine
Sabine
1 year ago

Dear Heike, dear Gerd,

THANKS!
Every morning I am happy about your reports, about your positive thinking!
Today I think, how do we treat foreigners???? It's often so sad.
Tunisia is a beautiful country, in 1981(!) we also travelled through the country for a week, to the oases, to Roman sites like Sbeitla and Dougga; in later years we made excursions to Tunis (you should not miss the Bardo Museum), El Djem or Kairuon in Hammamet.
But lastly, in Zarzis, we were just in the beautiful hotel complex, really relaxing, pampering - 3 weeks is ok for "reindeer", but that's enough.
Thank you again for something beautiful every morning and love from chilly Berlin...oh yes, what I wanted to say...I wouldn't like the low temperatures at night/morning in Felix!

Rachel
Rachel
1 year ago

Hmmmm, that looks very tasty! 😋
But don't you actually eat meat?

Yes, people abroad are different somehow.
Friendly, helpful, open and not as selfish as the Germans.

It's good that not everyone is in such a bad mood in my country.
Otherwise I would have fled long ago 😉 .

Kind regards
from Racheli

en_GB