Hi eee, we live inTunisia for the 6 winter months and always travel on our own. I am sure that like us, you will find everyone very helpful and friendly and pleased to see us foreigners using the local transport. It is quite normal to be approached by young people anxious to practice their English and to be asked for our opinions on their country. On almost every journey we have been at the receiving end of offers of sweets, biscuits, cola etc. I certainly feel much safer there than I do in my lovely city of Nottingham - which is very sad. The bus services are very limited and horrendously crowded during the buy periods - as are the trains. The louages - small mini buses - are more comfortable, as they do not work to a conventional timetable, but leave when full - and like all forms of transport over there, are ridiculously cheap. Do go and enjoy yourself. All best - Jenny x

Hi Jenny.
Thanks for the reply. We experienced one of the young Tunisians in PEK last time. He approached my young son and started to chat to him about England and football etc. He then showed him how to write his name and his friends name in Arabic. Unfortunately when we tried to leave he demanded money from us for his 'services' and became very aggresive when I objected. I ended up giving him money just to leave us alone as my son was starting to get scared. I'm afraid this was another reason for my reluctance to 'do our own thing' that I was talking about earlier. Shame really as I am sure it was an isolated incident.
eee

Hi eee - sadly there are always people who will try to exploit others, but do try not to let it stop you from doing your own thing. If such an instance happens again - please do not give money, but tell him that you will call the police - and do so if necessary. Tunisians who exploit the tourists get short shrift from the police , as we discovered a few years ago when two young men were seen asking Frank for some money for a coffee. Frank said that he didn't have any - and they were walking off when the police pounced. In no way were they being offensive - as Frank was trying to tell the police as they hauled the lads off to the tourist police station! One of the lads protested to Frank, 'I am sorry if I offended you - you are like a father to me', and was promptly clipped non too gently around his ear for that - which upset poor Frank who just wanted to get back to the hotel! The police insisted on arresting the lads.
I do not accept rudeness from the local people, as I know that it is not accepted in their community. I was walking through Monastir with a friend (who frequents HT) when she told me that a lad had murmured 'F off' because she smilingly refused to go into his shop. I promptly went back and spoke to the owner who called all his staff in to see me. All denied saying it is course. I challenged the lads and asked them if it would be acceptable for Frank to say such a thing to their mother or sister. I also asked if it was acceptable for a good Muslin to speak in such a way to an innocent person. Apologies were profusely given from all the shame faced staff.
Do have a go at travelling independently - and if it makes you feel more secure, don't respond to friendly advances. All best - Jenny x

Thanks Jenny. I guess it really isn't that different to being at home is it?! It's just the thought of being lost or stranded with no grasp of the written or spoken language that freaks me out!!
eee

Hi eee, I know what you mean - although it is not exactly 'just like at home' for me, as I wouldn't dare to challenge anyone over here!!
I have spent half of my life in Tunisia since we retired six years ago, so am used to the culture and know what is acceptable and what the possible repercussions are likely to be. We have many Tunisian friends and they have clear boundaries on acceptable behaviour - and I expect the same boundaries - as everyone should. I have never felt threatened.
I am sure that you will receive other postings from HT members confirming the above. (And hopefully no-one saying that I am living in cloud cuckoo land! ) Jenny x

I hope I do get some more posts from people who can offer ideas for travel and attractions around the area. I appreciate your comments though Jenny. It's nice to hear from someone 'first hand' with their own experience. And you don't live too far from my own beautiful City of Lincoln either, so we speak roughly the same language too!!! lol
eee

Hi eee, Don't worry. like Jenny I've been travelling to Tunisia for years but unlike her I travel alone, in fact I'm the 'friend' to whom Jenny referred above. After my first trip, when I did the excursions organised by the rep at the hotel, I now use the train and buses without any problems, though I've only used the louages with friends. From PEK you will need to go into Sousse to pick up the train, metro or bus but that is only a fairly short taxi ride away (or take the tuktuk or Noddy train which is fun and even cheaper). Most Tunisians speak English so if you get lost someone will be able to help you. Talking of which, when I and some other English women got lost trying to find the louage station in Tunis, a young man came to our aid and insisted on walking us to it. The other ladies got panicky in case he wanted money for his services but when I tentatively offered him something he was quite offended and said it had been a pleasure. He even negotiated a good price with the louage driver for us. Going back on the bus from Mahdia to Sousse one evening I was fed with chocolate biscuits by some little girls. One word of advice - avoid the metro at rush hour as it makes the London Underground look like a walk in the park.
If you want easy trips from Sousse I would suggest you take the metro to Monastir, where there is a nice medina, a good harbour and the Mausoleum of the previous president, which is absolutely splendid, all covered in gold. Also get the train to Tunis, Sidi Bou Said (a beautiful small town with houses painted blue and white and covered in bouganvilia). The Bardo Museum not far from Tunis is worth a visit, as is Carthage if you like historical ruins. Just remember that transport is incredibly cheap in Tunisia, including the taxis provided you 'negotiate' hard.

Hi Aslemma - I didn't name you in the above posting, as I wasn't sure that you would want to acknowledge me in 'public' Jenny x

Thanks for the info Aslemma. Sidi Bou Said and Carthage sound brilliant. I just hope I can pluck up the courage and follow in your footsteps when the time comes!!
Thanks again
eee

You will find lots of info on here eee as there are quite a few of us who are regular visitors. You will unfortunately hear a few horror stories as well, rather like your own experience, but most of the natives are friendly, they like the English and enjoy practising their language skills. There are a few things to avoid, such as accepting flowers from the children on the street or anyone who you don't know who gives you a 'present', as this is invariably swiftly followed by a request for money (except in the case of little girls on buses feeding you biscuits). Remember 'la shokran' means 'no thank you' and repeated firmly a few times they do get the message.

Jenny dear, I'd acknowledge you anywhere. In any case I've already told the tale about the three of us and the Pirate.

Hello eee,
I can only agree with what Jenny and Aslemma have already said. I've travelled Tunisia quite extensively with my family, wife and two children, three times in our own car. This April, my wife and I decided to go back-packing in the country. I know that we were together and that I'm a bloke, but we can still be intimidated, and we had a great time. Only place I upset anyone was in the Sousse medina, hardly surprising though, he was about the 100th "have a look in my shop, just look, no buy, I give you best price". We travelled from Tunis at 6am on the train to Gabes, then a bus to Ile de Djerba. We also visited Douz, Kebili and Bechni using both taxis and louages. We had a couple of language barrier situations but nothing to worry about, most people were really helpful and for the persistent traders a simple cheerful conversation is usually sufficient to convince them that they are wasting their time on you.
Go for it and enjoy.
Kevin
http://www.4x4-travel.co.uk

Oh yes Kevin - the Medina at Sousse! I love the banter but had to laugh when I replied politely in Arabic to say ' no thank you' and got the response in English "Everyone's speaking Arabic now"

The medina in Sousse scared us to death last time but I think that was due to it being our first visit and we just found it a bit 'in your face' after Canary Islands and Greece!! I just wish they would let you look and wander in and out of the shops and stalls without being pushy, I'm sure they would sell more goods in the long run!! However, despite all this I am determined to give it another go this year and see what happens!! Thanks for all of your replies and advice so far!
eee

If you want a nice medina where you can just wonder, and you don't have to go in the shops because most are small, then try Sfax, they are not used to tourists so they leave you alone.

If you can, I suggest that you get out into the markets, the street markets that are for the Tunisian people are great fun and the prices are very reasonable. I've bought thin blankets about 2m square for around 3TD (£1.30) each.

Another bad experience that I suffered in Sousse was that I broke my rule of not eating European food in Tunisia, I believe the Tunisians cook their own food better and they are not good at other nations food. I proved myself right. We ate in restaurant attached to a big hotel right on the seafront, it advertised "International Cusine", I decided to have the Veal Medallions, I wish that I hadn't. Really, Sousse was the worst experience of the whole 8 days. Hotel was good though, value for money anyhow.

The Medinia in Kairouan is not a lot better than the one in Sousse.

Of course you can always play them at their own game. Try "Oh, Hello, how are you? Do you remember me from last year, I bought a rug/camel/etc from you? But it is cheaper this year." Or "Oh hello, aren't you the waiter from our hotel?"

Aslemma, I had a little chuckle at your comment, very good.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin! Is Sfax easy to travel to then? Sounds like a good alternative to try! Where are the street markets that you mentioned?
Cheers
eee

Sfax is a train ride away from Sousse. Buses also travel between major towns and so do Louages. Most of the towns have a market day you just need to be there on the right day. Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, etc list the market days for the towns. El Kef has a daily market in one street, maybe a bit out of the way for most, Douz also. Gabes has a good selection of shops/stalls aimed at local rather than tourists as well. You won't find any bargains in the tourist zones, but outside of these where the Tunisians shop you'll find goods at real prices.
K

Thanks for the added info 'K'. I will look on the sites you suggest and get some more information so that I can look at planning ahead!
Much appreciated.
eee

You forgot Nabuel Kevin - a nice little town as well amd quite easy to get to.

Thanks Aslemma!! I will have to have a peek at that too!!
Cheers
eee