Last year around this time my family and I went to Tunisia. The colors still spring up in my mind’s eye causing my cheeks to blush and my heart to race. While I was in Tunisia I went off the beaten path in hope to discover something mysterious and yet deeply authentic. I am certain you know what I mean, you know how it is when you go to some place new you want to discover something untouched unspoilt buy tourism, something that will stamp your experience with awe and wonder, like a personal postcard memory.
Tunisia did not disappoint me. Every corner was yet another vista for the imagination. The carpet ride was accessible simply by standing in one place with an open mind.
The aroma of mint tea seized me and carried me further and further into the souk.
Deeper I went into the souk, losing French husband and the kids in the crowd.
The last thing French Husband had said to me before I darted off was "…the last bus leaves at 6, please don’t miss it!"
The stair way to heaven? I couldn’t get enough of these tiles.
But I wanted to find that personal postcard moment and yet the time raced by holding me prisoner to my senses. It took me awhile to find my way out of the souk and then at 5:45 the postcard moment came to my attention.
A gate was open and I took it as a sign and entered. There were stairs that lead down to a courtyard. The lion carved in stone was sleeping. Curiosity stamped out any fear as I walked down to the courtyard.
A sleeping lion, his mane gentle curls. I found it beautiful. But he soon woke up in a voice behind me saying something that I couldn’t understand. I turned around to see a guard looking at me and obviously asking me what I was doing in this courtyard. Though his face was not stern, so I knew he wasn’t angry at me. I gestured with open arms and smiled hoping he would understand I found it beautiful and meant no harm.
He did.
He walked ahead of me motioning me to follow him. I knew it was nearly six (time to catch the bus,)but I didn’t want to be rude, and hey I figured French Husband and the kids knew me well enough to know that I would be gathering memories and feeding my soul…so I followed him. We walked back up the stairs and then along the ledge of the building.
I was crazy taking this photo while balancing on the ledge. But I wanted proof that I wasn’t just lost or something silly when I eventually hoped to meet up with my family.
Panoramic view from on top of this beautiful home. It was exactly what I was searching for- Standing on a ledge on top of an unknown house.
I thanked the guard and motioned that I had to leave. He motioned if I wanted go inside and take a tea…Oh I did, I would have loved mint tea, I would have loved even more to go inside to have seen the interior of the house…but time was holding me prisoner and I had to leave.
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Note: I did not take tea with the guard at the beautiful home with the sleeping lion. But I have taken tea many times in my memories as I re trace those steps. I am glad I entered that courtyard and had a near experience of going inside. Sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality.
p.s. I am talkin’ tea here Dear Readers and nothing more…blush!
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