It's funny when you drive through a country like that. Then you notice (visually) certain things. In Tunisia, of course, these are first of all nature, the environment, the various, partly unfinished or dilapidated buildings, the people and the life that takes place on the streets.
But we're also a bit detail-oriented, I admit, and we've noticed time and again since the beginning of our journey, and it's been almost eight or nine weeks now, that the people here, especially the male people, have a particular penchant for a special kind of footwear.
The whole man is dressed sportily, elegantly, jauntily, modernly. But the foot is adorned with homely, cosy slippers. Another special feature is that the slippers only fit two-thirds of the way.
So let's say you are now a size 42. Then you go to buy slippers on the shelf with the size 38. There are plenty of slipper shops, in the photos a small selection. We thought we'd take a few photos.
Now we are thinking: Is this a new fashion? Will it eventually spill over into Europe? Should we perhaps even bring it with us? Are we even trend scouts? Maybe we should rethink our profession?
Questions upon questions.
For inspiration for those who want to stay ahead of fashion, here are a few photos.
Merci for "travelling with us
We are thinking about taking another break from travelling in the summer and visiting our families in Germany and Switzerland. One of the ideas is to organise a Lecture about our long journey to the Persian Gulf to prepare. If you would like to, what would interest you the most? We will also tell stories here that don't find a place here on the blog. We're thinking of the Bern and Berlin area - simply because we have family there. But other places are also conceivable. Feel free to write to us.
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😂🤣😂
Have you ever asked anyone? 😉
No, we actually didn't. Because: being somehow addressed on looks doesn't feel right 🙂 .
But Beate's comment here sounds very explanatory!
Kind regards - Heike
Hello dear ones,
This is how I experienced it in Syria: At home, the living room (the good room for receiving guests) is not entered with slippers/slippers. Especially not the carpets! And not at all in the mosque. And not at all during prayer. This is also preceded by ablutions, including of the feet. When you consider all this, it is obvious to put on slippers, because you don't have to bend down and open and close shoes. Besides, most months are warm.
Families are big, so there are slipper stores at the door. If you want to get something done quickly, you slip into the first pair and don't look long for your own. Maybe a family member with small feet has just put them on. That would explain why some people wear slippers that are too small. 😀
These plastic slippers/shachata(r) are especially popular in old houses (with open courtyards). Whether you are sitting in the bathroom and pouring warm water over your head, or walking through the courtyard every day with a running water hose and a broom to wash away the dust, they are practical. When they break, they are collected and recycled .... and become slippers again.
Dear Beate, first of all, thank you so much for taking the time to guide us in such detail on the right path!
And what you write is so conclusive for us that we indeed believe it immediately. That would also explain the majority-male phenomenon.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I have learned something again.
Kind regards - Heike & Gerd
Thank you for this wonderful explanation.
I was in Syria/Aleppo in 1964, but I was still far too young to understand. 😁
Thank you again.
LG Rachel
You see, dear Rachel, here too you can learn something in the comments and interact ❣️
Hello dear Heike,
what a thing to say!
First of all, the term "finch". Does it come from Switzerland or is it a special Berlin term? I've never heard that before.
About the piece of equipment as such. Are the slippers, I would say 🤗, simply chic, or is there also a practical reason for them? Do you always take your shoes off indoors in Tunisia?
But then also too small, that must be very uncomfortable for walking!?
Things there are....
Anyway, interesting observation!
Kind regards
Dirk
Dear Dirk
Yes, I first learned the word finch, for me they were always peepers...
But look here: https://idiotikon.ch/wortgeschichten/finken
However, in Bärndüütsch one would rather say Finke: https://www.berndeutsch.ch/words/11591?q=finke&page=1
And yes, slippers could be good. Slippers too.
But on the subject itself, Beate has given a wonderful explanation here in the commentary! Sounds logical.
Very best regards, Gerd & Heike