Featured User: Tunisian Belle
The wonder of Answers is never more apparent than when you encounter one of the community’s truly great participants. We’re going to be sharing some of this sense of wonder with you, as we highlight Answers’ own North African expert, Tunisian Belle.
Jamie (her real name) was raised in Colorado and is married to a commercial pilot. She’s been living in Tunisia for more than six years. Jamie’s a stay-at-home mom with three children. She loves to travel and can speak four languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, and French.
Today we’re going to turn the blog over to Jamie, as she shares her expert knowledge of Tunisia’s people, culture and geography. Her photographs will make you feel like you’re right there with her, traveling this hot, dusty country. Welcome to Jamie’s world!
Geography
“
“Much of our border is on the Mediterranean Sea, and the city of Bizerte is not only the northernmost city in Tunisia, but the northernmost city for the whole continent of Africa.
“The mountain region is breathtaking! There are fantastic views and the atmosphere is reminiscent of an old town in
History
“The country is so full of history—it has been under the rule of Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Berbers, Ottomans, Beys and French. It played a significant part in WWII and was the center of the ancient world, with Carthage as the capital and it has so many beautiful places to visit! It is unlike any other Arab country in that is has a lot of greenery. There are also many historical ruins in just about every part of the country you go to.”
Culture
“
“There is a joke here, too, that between a police officer and a police officer, you find a police officer. Believe me, it’s safe. We also let our children run around the marina or the cafés and don’t worry about someone kidnapping them, because that just doesn’t happen here. It is a terrific place to raise a family—in safety, security, love, and kindness.
“Women’s rights were implemented as soon as (Habib) Bourguiba became president. Tunisia was one of the first countries in the world to give women equality to men, and grant them the right to vote. It was one of the first Arab countries to allow women to seek a divorce from a man on her own accord, to work outside the home, and give them education on family planning.”
People
“The people are so warm and hospitable. They instantly welcome you as one of their own and treat you like family. They will offer you the clothes off their back without a second thought or expectation of being repaid. If you are lucky enough to dine with a Tunisian family, be sure that they will prepare a feast that is the best they can within their means. They will offer you the biggest and best portions of all foods.
“Family is very important here—there are no homeless people, although there are poor people. Everyone helps everyone else. Neighbors bring food to each other, the poor can always count on someone giving them food and clothes, and children are not expected to leave home as soon as they turn 18.”
Five Tunisian Belle Best Answers:
- What are some fun things to do in Tunisia?
- What are some Tunisian recipes?
- What are some shopping and bargaining tips when in Tunisia?
- Who are three important Tunisian historical figures?
- How much does alcohol cost in Tunisia?
Know someone who’s wowed you on Answers? Think somebody deserves to be celebrated as our next Featured User on the Answers Blog? We want to hear from you!
Email the Answers team a link to the user’s profile or answers: y_answrs_editors@yahoo.com.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!
Subscribe
Good job on resurrecting the Featured Users, guys! Heaven knows we need good YA role models.
And of course, congratulations to Jamie! That’s a great account and the photographs are beautiful. I confess I had never given much attention to Tunisia, but you made it sound and look like an interesting place to visit.
Keep up the good work!
Cali
Thanks for this great information. I love learning about new places.
i went to tunisia during spring break it is nice yet i always that it was weird being 98% muslim. but there is somewhat free dress.
Congratulations Jamie! You have given really informative answers. For my next trip to Africa, I am now thinking of visiting Tunisia, thanks to you!
Hi Tunisian Belle! Congrats on getting picked as Featured Member!
I think this feature is AWESOME!!!! =)
I just knew you guys would bring the Featured User articles back!
Thanks and congrats to Tunisian!
Jamie** not Tunisian lol
oh… i know YOU!!! u were the person who came to the ramadan section to tell that u r accepting Islam!
congrats being the featured member
salam
does anyone know were i can find music form faouzi ben gamra on the internet ?
the information was good but it it could be better. how to travel to tunisia and the alternative arrangements for stay and the culture beat of tunisia could have have been more informative. any how thanks.
Thanks for writing to us. I have really enjoyed your story.
Hopes the trolls don’t come after you. And if they do, does Yahoo! give you special protection from false reporters now that you’re a Featured User?
Salaam dear sis Tunisianbelle…
Congratulations first of all on getting picked as Featured Member…
When i saw your name on the Y!A main page now, i was wondering if i knew this person before or not, so to make sure of it, i just went through all my Q/A’s quickly, and then i found a BA which u gave me in Ramadan Section few months ago http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aji5f3Zf7yJpCmCXvLkY8YQhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20080203000118AAybEkl&show=7#profile-info-iZmZKRSjaa wallah, believe me i was so happy to see it and i feel so proud that i got a BA from you.
May god bless you sister, keep going!
This is TEARS Nafeez, hope you remember me…
Yay Jamie!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!
Salaam Sister. Great article & congrats on being chosen as Featured User.
Thanks everyone!
The UK & Ireland blog had me posted first - and they have actually decided to do a two part series with me.
shiva, you said that you would like to see more about where to stay, etc. That will be touched upon on the second part of the UK & Ireland blog.
http://www.yanswersbloguk.com/b4/?p=219
Of course, feel free to visit us in the Tunisia section to review resolved questions that may be what you’re looking for, or ask one of your own.
I really appreciate all the comments from those I have met along the way being here on YA and am glad that all of you can share in this happy moment with me!
HURRAY!!!!!
Well chosen!!
Tunisian Belle, is a WONDERFUL contributor!!
Hugs from this side of the planet!!
This was really interesting. I knew next to nothing about Tunis when I started reading and now I’m itching to go there. Thanks for the travelogue Tunisian Belle!
I’m very happy to hear of another “fan” of Tunisia.
I lived and worked there during the late ’60’s and early ’70’s. I’m sure a lot has changed.
I also enjoy Yahoo answers and I enjoy sharing knowledge with others.
I’ll go back and re=read your blog.
Thank you
Michael K.
I spent a couple of great vacations in Tunisia about 10 years ago, while living in France with a married couple (he was Tunisian, she was French). Most of it in a beach city north of Tunis–I forget the name. The shopkeepers, etc., were very friendly, and I would often join one or more for tea and conversation. There were resorts outside of the town, but we stayed in a hotel in the town. Two young girls (who giggled if we met on the stairs) did the housekeeping, and always used the blanket to create new artwork for me each day.
wow mashallah sis i remember you from the ramadan section
it’s lovely to learn about what kind of people are here on Y!A. i enjoyed reading this! =]
OMGOOSH
I LOOOOVE Tunisian Belle. She iss sooo awesome, she has her own blog and her answers rock. She totally deserved to be a feature user
Congratulations to Jamie for your wonderful work. Congratulations YAT for bringing this feature back.
Thanks for giving so much of your time and effort to represent my country to the world. I am a Tunisian girl currently living in the United States, and there is not so much knowledge about Tunisia over here unfortunately
Alf Mabruk ya Hilwa
To day i recieved very logical answer from yahoo.com
That if they want to give one a gift … they search his address first and then send him the gift
All others are swams
[…] an amazing Answers user, Tunisian Belle, on our blog. The post also got syndicated onto the US Answers blog, to a really positive response. In the second half of this series, Tunisian Belle gives her […]
my father is from tunisia,…he left at 8 and hasnt been back since. I would love to see where he grew up, and that article gave me hope that someday i may visit! Thanks!
nothing
Congrats!!
Tunisia is a must go place! With all its crossed historical presences/influences is so rich. I was there in vacation and felt i could live in that coutry being happy ever after - felt at home.
Thank you.
awsome
This is a great article! The UK site did a follow up which has some really neat information on it to add to the allure of Tunisia:
http://www.yanswersbloguk.com/b4/?p=223
[…] week we featured an amazing Answers user, Tunisian Belle, and got a really positive response. In the second half of […]
We spended last vaction on tunisia
——————
adam
http://www.treatmentcenters.org
I’m Tunisian but I live in France I spend this summer in Tunis it’s very nice town
Good luck ..break a leg
The Egyptian mum in Tunisia