On the way to Matmata we fill up our drinking water tank at a spring. Since the water pressure is so low that we cannot even fill up the hose, we decide to fill it by hand: we have a 4-litre and a 6-litre jar and a funnel on board just for this case.
At the spring, we let the containers drip full and then fill it into our 100-litre tank. That makes 10 rounds with both canisters. That takes time. (Gerd uses the time to finally refill the AdBlue - that stupid warning beep is getting on our nerves) But the good thing is: we have time. Besides, we meet at the fountain, so we get to know a few young girls, but also Berber women. Unfortunately, we don't speak any of their languages. But we all understand the language of smiles. I let them go ahead, they seem to be busy, we can wait!
Matmata lies at 600 metres above sea level in the Daher Gebriges of the Central Atlas. And is famous for its earth houses and cave dwellings and - who would have thought it - a Star Wars filming location.
We take a seat directly at the restaurant "Chez Abdoul", drink Moorish coffee, then real espresso and are spoiled with freshly squeezed orange juice. We make a phone call to the family and then make our way to the Hotel Siri Idriss, which is supposed to be the backdrop for the filming.
As soon as we arrive, the coaches are queuing up, and in the hotel itself (where you can actually still book rooms) the visitors are jostling. We have time and wait until the buses take their precious cargo away again and then have a close look at everything.
I, still not really a Star Wars connoisseur, am more impressed by the architecture, Gerd is already recreating the scenes in his mind.
We continue to the actual highlight: a Berber dwelling, which one is allowed to visit as a guest. Unfortunately, in recent years there have been encroaching tourists who went into flats without being asked, photographed everything and did not really realise that the people live here and are not museum pieces. This did not go down well and led to people's resentment. Because about 300 final homes are actually still inhabited.
When we enter the flat, which is open to the public, we are amazed, it looks really nice, all the rooms are sensible, cosy, practical and, of course, very exotically furnished to our eyes. In the courtyard, we are pampered by the resident with freshly baked bread, tea and delicious olive oil. The master of the house explains all the rooms to us and also a little of the history.
We feel really comfortable here, the time flies by and the small entrance fee, which was simply a slightly adjusted tea price, has been absolutely worth it.
We say goodbye and stroll through the town. We spend the evening on the farm of "Chez Abdoul" and in the early morning, when Abdoul loudly "squeaks" open the farm gate, we ride off the farm.
Merci for "travelling with us
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Hello you two.
The last photo is probably the Starr war's Bänd ?! 😉🤣
And of course there's also a tiger from the universe for Gerd. 🥰
I can tell you Heike :
I have just as little idea as you do. 😁😂
Nevertheless, it looks beautiful there.
One can hardly imagine in our world that one can live there and with so little.
Question:
When you pay this "cheap" entrance fee, do you give what is asked for or do you go over?
Kind regards from too warm Germany.
s'Racheli
Hello dear Racheli, the last picture is simply a petrol station Tunesian style 🙂 🙂
Regarding entrance: we always tip, although we don't know what is a lot or a little. Sometimes, for example, when a girl sells freshly baked bread at the roadside and wants a dinar for it (30 cents). I am then willing to give 2 dinars. I think that's too much, but somehow it's okay for us.
We also usually give more, or buy things that we might not buy at all. (So another loaf of bread, or vegetables here and there that we didn't actually have on the list). Then we just reschedule.
Overall, Tunisia is a very cheap country for us and we try to support where we can. But actually rather at the local traders at the roadside than in the tourist centres...
We don't do excursions, tours, camel rides etc. anyway. Or only very, very rarely.
The museums are all the same: 8 dinars for foreigners. We negotiate guides beforehand and taxis have a taximeter and are dirt cheap. So we round up generously, of course.
Is that a good answer for you?
Best regards, Heike & Gerd
Ahsooooo, a petrol station! 😂🤣
What was my imagination playing tricks on me ? 😂🤣
Yes, it is difficult to give more.
That's why I asked.
On the one hand, it is so cheap for our kind that we think we have to give more.
On the other hand, I have noticed that different prices for locals and tourists develop in this way, some of which are really outrageous.
In Jamaica, even the locals on the bus got into a fight with the driver because he ripped me off with my little daughter (9 at the time).
Boa, they were arguing with him. Phu!
And I have always experienced these special "tourist prices" and wondered where it comes from.
Imagine that in Germany! 😱
There would immediately be shouts of "racism"!
Or: (also Jamaica)
A little boy, maybe 6 years old, begs for money saying that he is hungry.
Asked about his family, all were ill and all are Countryside.
So he all alone in Mobay. 🤪
I invited him for breakfast.
I couldn't see the way that fast! 😂
I then also found out why.
A Yank with a Rolex on his arm would have put 10 us dollars in his hand without asking. 🤷
Yes, somehow a difficult topic.
Kind regards
Rachel
Oh yes, a difficult subject. But worth taking a closer look at!
Kind regards - Heike