A popular beach resort in the Old World, Tunisia has established itself as a calm and friendly country where you can relax by the warm sea and get a portion of oriental exoticism, pleasantly packed in a wrapper of European civilization. There are mosques here, but women have equal rights with the stronger sex. On the streets, a short skirt can be found much more often than a burqa, and in a cafe you can drink a cup of tea not only for men. But some of the ancient traditions of Tunisia no, no, yes, and will seem to the curious traveler, giving him the opportunity to enjoy the truly Maghreb mystery and charm.
Hamam for real
Once in Tunisia, you should not devote all your time only to beach relaxation. There are enough interesting places in the country, a visit to which will leave a worthy memory and mark in the photo album. One of these must see is the oriental bath. The Tunisian hammam is a marble room with a comfortable temperature and humidity for relaxation, where you can not only prepare your skin for an even tan, but also get a generous dose of pleasure.
In the hamam, locals meet and negotiate deals, conclude contracts and discuss problems, share news and consult with elders. The rules for visiting the eastern bath are simple:
- Men usually come to the hamam in the morning, and women, according to Tunisian tradition, in the late afternoon.
- Choosing an oriental bath, do not buy a ticket to the hammam at the hotel. Better ask the locals where they go. In the city hammam, everything will be real, and massage and peeling will be done in the best traditions of Tunisia.
- You can visit the hamam during the entire tour to Tunisia. There are practically no health restrictions for this procedure.
Jasmine and cedar - Tunisian brothers
In early summer, the streets of Tunisia are literally saturated with the scent of jasmine. Small flowering twigs are tied here in bouquets and worn behind the ear. Men do this, and by which side the bouquet is located, one can judge the marital status of a person. A married Tunisian wears jasmine behind his right ear, and a single one on the left.
Pine nuts and mint are important ingredients in another Tunisian tradition. Famous tea is prepared with them. Small transparent glasses with an original and tasty drink can be seen on tables in any cafe. They say that a portion of this tea quenches not only thirst, but also hunger, and therefore it is especially popular in hot summer.
