Exploring the Medina, Oct 2014

Exploring the Medina

We went with a group of folks, and a guide downtown to explore the Medina, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  I had been here briefly before, back in February when we came for orientation.  I still recall when I first entered, I got goosebumps just thinking about the history and age of this place.  We met in Carthage and took a train downtown.  Easy and that way, we did not have to look for parking, which can be a real nightmare in the crowded central area.  The train was about 35 cents per person, if I recall correctly.  Very inexpensive!

Our local guide, Fawzi gives us the history on this area and shows us sights that we would have probably never seen.  His English is superb.  He used to be a doctor but wanted to show people his country and share it's history.  We stop at the Catholic church, a wonderful hotel and a few other places before we go into the Medina.  The architecture is beautiful, some of it old and crumbling.  Even though it is the end of Oct, it is a very pleasant temperature.

All aboard!

The base of this huge clock tower is
perforated metal.

The upside-down pyramid hotel was quite something in
it's day.  It used to be The Place to meet for a cup of coffee
or whatever.

Very different styles of architecture from different periods.

Just a beautiful facade!

The old opera house, still in use.

The main street has a wonderful center area for pedestrians.

  

Old and crumbling buildings.

Different styles of architecture.

The Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul is a
Roman Catholic cathedral in Tunis.

2. 
   

Construction began in 1893.

One of the Popes, from Tunisia.

We stop in a lovely hotel, the Tunisia Palace for a look.  The domed ceiling inside is incredible!  We would have just walked by this place, had it not been for our guide, Fawzi.

The domed ceiling, inside the restaurant/hotel.

Their bar menu.

They have a neat, old bar.  It feels like a setting for a movie.
Very art deco?

Reminds me of a bar in The Shining.

A lovely old photograph of the Opera House, inside the hotel.

Beautiful old details on most of the buildings. 

Parking is at a premium.

This was a grand hotel back in the day and
one of the first ones with a bathroom for each bedroom.
Notice the sign: Chambers Salles de Bain.

An ingenious way to bring in your
goods.  Just throw them on a sheet
and drag them to your booth.

Fawzi telling us about dates.  This is one of their major exports.

Once again, we forget our carrying bag or basket, so we
have to purchase another.  We will end up with many!

The entrance to the large produce and fish markets.

Open air market, yet covered to protect against the sun and rain.

Now that is a big ugly fish!

Snails.

Squid and octopus.  And a friend/coworker.