Island Hoppin'

One lovely summer weekend, we left our city on Saturday to go visit an island just off the coast with our language and culture teachers. Even though we had visited the island before (just to spend some time on the beach), this trip was quite fascinating!


The plan was to leave on the 8:30 am ferry. Beth and I live a matter of blocks away from the port, so we left our apartment about 8:25 and arrived at the port as people were scrambling onto the ferry. Then we realized that none of our travel companions had called us to ask where we were or why we're late. Unusual. We assumed this meant they were late too. So we called our friends, who assured us that they were pulling up "right now," then went ahead and bought tickets. Our friends literally pulled up in the taxi, rushed through the ticket line, and quickly boarded the boat. We just made it to the top level of seating when the boat closed it's doors and set sail. Thankfully, not even the scheduled ferries depart on time around here.

Aboard the ferry, enjoying the breeze and another cup of Joe!

The ferry ride is generally relaxing if it isn't too crowded. I guess it's fun to me because I'm from a landlocked city, so back home, we have to travel aways to do this kind of thing. But it must not be a big deal to the natives here because the ferry ticket only costs 0,650 TND, which right now is less than fifty cents in US currency.

As the island approaches in the distance, people start congregating near the exits and stairs. Apparently there are only x number of taxis, and if you don't get one...well, you don't get one. However, our 'guides' don't seem the least bit worried. We decided to let them take care of the situation because last time we came on our own, Beth and I ended up not-so-comfortably sharing the front seat.


In a way that is quickly becoming expected, our teacher's uncle owned one of the taxis, so the driver agreed to be at our disposal for the day. She tells us this as he's driving away and we begin walking along the nearly deserted island road with our luggage to the coffee shop. Coffee always comes first around here. Always.

Walking the island streets to get...coffee.

After a nice, little walk to the cafe nearest the port, the taxi returns to take us to the hotel. Beth and I didn't have to share the front seat, just the bench seat in the back with two other people. We won't talk about where safety falls on the list of priorities around here. Coffee first.


We stayed at a grand hotel. Literally, it was called the Grand Hotel. Our teacher got us a good deal at this hotel where a night's stay came with dinner and breakfast, a swimming pool, beach access, and a "sea-view" room with a balcony! It was a sweet set-up.

The girls' suite - I love the blue decor!

Our balcony view

The hotel grounds

A quick pose while we're waiting for the taxi.

Next on the agenda was a visit to a museum, which explained traditional life on the island. It's like the educational part of the field trip that ya gotta get out of the way before you get to do the fun stuff. haha. Not really, we actually learned a lot.

Viewing the artwork and eating a lil snack (coffee isn't always sufficient)

Baskets used to catch squid, crabs, and other fish. 

In the belly of a whale (or some other large sea creature, some things get lost in translation)

One of the island specialities is, obviously, seafood. After the museum we rode to a seafood restaurant on the other side of the island. And when I say seafood restaurant...I mean seafood restaurant - they ONLY served seafood or fish. Too bad Brandi's not so much a lover of the seafood. So, we asked if they had anything other than seafood, and the waitress goes to the kitchen then says, "We actually have some chicken." Hmmm, right. Oh well. I took my chances and didn't ask questions. I think it was chicken. Beth and the rest of the crew enjoyed some outlandish seafood dishes.

Yes, that's octopus tentacle. Yes, she ate it. 

Coffee...check.


Museum...check.


Seafood...check.


What's lacking? Yes, more coffee and the beach! We played on the beach at the hotel for a few hours, then enjoyed a buffet dinner. More coffee, a lil game of hide and seek, and star gazing by the water concluded the breezy evening.

Fun in the sun! Can you guess who's who?

Sunday we were in for a real treat when the taxi driver set up a day of fishing for us. After collecting some groceries for lunch we made our way to the boat. The plan was to catch fish and then cook them for lunch. I wasn't thrilled about going fishing because when I used to go with my dad, it mostly just meant a lot of waiting, touching ooeey gooey stuff, and a terrible stench. Traditional fishing in the Med is completely different! We had the best time.

It was a little boat like this that we went fishing in

Transporting the girls and the food to the boat, poor guy.

These nets constantly remain in the water. Notice the V shape near the top of the photo, they say this channels the fish into the circle area. Then they can't get out so they swim toward the channel on the right, straight into the trap.

This is fishing on the Med.

If you look closely, you might see the fish, crabs, and squid he caught.

Enjoying our catch on the boat after a swim in the Med. The uncooked fish are in the laundry basket. The round thing at the back of the boat is the "grill."

Needlessly to say, the fishing adventure was a unexpected way to spend the day. There's just something about being on water that is so relaxing! I love it. Although we were all pretty wiped out when the day of sun was done.


The sun apparently worked a number on me because after our swim, I had the klutziest day! It all began with attempting to gracefully get back into the fishing boat. Yeah, the ones that aren't exactly designed for retrieving humans out of the water. The friends tell me that once I was half-way in the boat, I just continued to keep kicking aimlessly at the air. However, I got in the boat and earned the nickname, "Nemo," for my floundering like a fish into the boat.


On our way to the ferry, I fell flat on my booty waiting for the taxi...I blame that one on the imbalance of my luggage.


The real stinker was on the ferry. We were walking down the stairs back to our seats. There was a nice old lady sitting on like the 2nd or 3rd step by the rail, so I let go of the rail and walk around and somehow fall down like 4 stairs. Was it 4 steps exactly? Yes, cause I felt every one of them. It was one of those laugh/cry moments when we returned to our crowded and strewn out seats. Then of course, all the strangers around me want to know what's going on, so Beth did get to practice some language skills with some sweet ladies while I "licked my wounds."


A trip to the beach seems incomplete without mentioning how amazing a Father we serve, who created such beauty! He is worthy of all praise!

 A sunset view of our city!

Birthday Bash

The day after I returned from the States, it was Beth's birthday! Muddling through the jet lag, I think we managed to make her feel special on her 26th! 

Gifts and sweet cards were waiting on Beth when she awoke!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write and send them! I know it meant the world to her!

We were scheduled to meet our language teacher in her favorite cafe for some Arabic review, but a few of our new friends here had other ideas! We were sitting around, chatting in the coffee shop (like we normally do), when suddenly this disco version of the Birthday Song (in English) bursts over the speakers and this guy walks up with a cake that has candles that resemble fireworks atop. The expressions on Beth's face are priceless!

A few of our new friends celebrating Beth's birthday! 

Later that evening we met some other foreigners for a dinner out and enjoyed a great meal and fun times with friends. Wish all of you could have been here to celebrate with us!

Happy Birthday Beth!

Roman Ruins

It's so amazing to think that I am living in a country so rich with ancient history, it was even once occupied by the Roman Empire! A few weeks ago, we were able to see the third largest remaining Roman coliseum. Step back in time and imagine visiting this ancient structure during the Roman occupation and enjoy the road trip with us:

Beth and I in the "louage" - a bus-like taxi that's infamous for crowded seating and fast driving, thankfully we bought it out so we weren't squished! 

We had a snack and then lunch at a little street side cafe. What a spectacular view!

Those poor camels!

Talk about feeling small and insignificant...

Beautiful architecture!

Beware of those lurking around the corner, trying to scare you!

Oh Clay

Don't fall Beth!

Camera bag always by my side. 

Don't make me...hungry!

Last night, we watched "The Incredible Hulk" and I realized I am not alone in the language learning process. What does a movie about an green monster have to do with learning languages? Well, not much. But there was one scene where Bruce was living in Brazil, attempting to learn Portuguese, and working at a bottling factory. A situation with an agitating coworker causes Bruce to say, in Portuguese, "Don't make me hungry...You won't like me when I'm hungry." The confused looks on everyone's faces causes him to realize that his words were incorrect, but he doesn't have time to correct himself.

It's a silly scene in a silly movie, but it made me realize that it's really not easy for anyone to learn and speak a new language. I find myself in similar situations quite often. I think perhaps we're to the point where we know just enough language to get ourselves into conversations and then get lost in them. Sometimes I ask the speaker to "Mesaylesh tawed bishaya/I'm sorry, say that again slower?" just so I have time to think about what I fully heard them say the first time. So many times I say a word, then realize that it's the wrong word, and in times like this, the right word always alludes me, generally until the conversations over or the person's walked away, then I remember the word I was trying to say. Ahh!

It's ok though because today someone thought I was a native. It had nothing to do with my speaking and probably everything to do with my dark hair and recently purchased clothing (that's from here) but I count it a major victory in my book, nonetheless.

Line-up of Lineages

You've been there before, too; reading through the Word, hearing so much truth and feeling like you've gained applicable insights from what you've read, then BAM! you hit one of those lineages. This week for me, it was Genesis 5. Straight up nothing but this guy and his son and how long they lived, which don't get me wrong...it's interesting, especially when you consider that people were living up to age 969 years, but sometimes, I'll admit, I can get distracted in such passages.


So as I'm reading this chapter, one man in particular stands out: Enoch. Twice it's mentioned that 'Enoch walked with God." In a line up of lineages, one name after another, Enoch gets a descriptive sentence more than the rest. Why?


"Enoch walked with God."


Was he a successful business man? Did he faithfully love his wife? Was he a patient father? Was he a respected leader in the community?


Perhaps. Perhaps not. None of that is written (and I'm certainly not an authority and wouldn't dare to venture an assumption), but we do know that "Enoch walked with God."


As I've continued meditating on why Enoch's life "summary sentence" seems to jump off the page to me, the Lord has brought these things to mind:


1. The highlight of Enoch's life wasn't that he did good things or was a good person, but that he walked with God. In this season of life, it's valuable for me to keep in mind that no amount of doing good things  can replace knowing Him. I want it to be said of me that I walked with God, that more than any other characteristic of my life, I would be known as someone who loves and knows Him.


2. When my time is done, what will my life amount to? My name, age, and children? Who my parents were? How successful my career was?


Or will people say, "She walked with God."


Psalm 39:5 "Behold you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath."


James 4:14 "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."


Our time is short. How are you using it?

Language Oops of the Week [2]

*disclaimer: this post not for the weak stomached ones.*


Yesterday, while practicing our Arabic in a Salon de The (similar to a coffee shop in the States, except here some of the "coffees" are for men only but Salon de The means both men and women can frequent) Beth wanted to ask the waiter for another cup of coffee. We know the words for "I want a cup of coffee" but not for "another." So our teacher quickly told her the word to say. So Beth thought she was saying, "I want another cup of coffee," but when everyone started laughing we realized something hadn't come out correctly. By pronouncing the word with an "ah" sound at the beginning instead of an "O" sound, she had actually said, "I want a cup of coffee go to the bathroom." This certainly justified all the laughter. Instead of asking for another cup of coffee, she had accidentally commanded the waiter to go to the bathroom. Some words we will certainly never forget.

Shek Shouka

Shek Shouka: A dish best served sparingly.


Shek Shouka is one of the first Arabic words I was able to commit to memory; partially because the meaning is so appropriate and mostly because I love the way it sounds. It's one of the few "easy" words to say in Arabic, and it's easy to "master" (I should probably discuss this idea of having mastered anything in Arabic with my teacher before saying that...). There are two meanings for the word in our country: a traditional dish and a mess of good things.


Even before we began our language study, friends had shared this word with us. They explained that sometimes, instead of referring to food, the phrase is used to express that things are kinda a mess or it's a bunch of good things all jumbled together. Since then, we have often used this word with our language teacher to express that we are learning a lot of good things but sometimes all the Arabic and English and Arabic verb tenses and Arabic culture and Arabic blessings just get jumbled up in our head.


We use the word so often in class that when I heard the word used while eating at a traditional restaurant, it felt out of context. But I quickly recovered from that slight shock and moved into a mini-celebration over having correctly heard and understood a word in Arabic! We celebrate the small victories over here.


"The Restaurant of the Lonely Woman," as it is literally translated, is quickly becoming one of my favorites. It is located in the heart of the medina (which is like the city within the city, surrounded by the old city walls that look like a castle. There is little room for cars, although a few motorcycles manage to get through the narrow old stone streets. The medina is definitely something you'll have to see when you come!) and we always attend with a group. Beth once compared it to going to Cpaw's. It's true that everyone comes in and goes behind the counter to see what's cooking on the stove and to hug the old ladies that cook. Some of our friends even bring their own bread because they don't like the bread that's served there. It's quite entertaining. We always eat traditional food there, in the traditional way (with your fingers or bread, and without napkins) and this last visit we finally got to try the shek shouka.

Shek Shouka! The first one is shek shouka wa lham (with meat) and the one with fries is shek shouka with veggies.

Interesting things to note in this picture: the bread on the table. This is a traditional bread they either call taboona or hobza khayel, I forget (my brain is a shek shouka after all). Either way, it is wonderful and I love it lots more than the more common skinny, hard bread that is easier to find. The shek shouka tasted a little like a marinara sauce you might use over spaghetti, that's about the only resemblance. I really loved mine, Beth wasn't so crazy about hers. The vegetable shek shouka also had a runny egg in it, so I think that might have something to do with her not loving it.


So this is shek shouka and this is what my brain feels like everyday after 4 hours of studying Arabic...a hot mess. =) Thankful that He can make something beautiful and useful out of something like this.