Exploring the Tataouine Area
We went to our next stop which was not in a town. It was another granary storage area, but much bigger. Our followers were right behind us. We decided that they must be some local tourist police? If they were going to harm or kidnap us, then they probably already would have done so. One of them followed us inside and stood around while we took pictures. This sight had a small group of teenage boys milling around. The policeman talked to the teenagers. We assume he was telling them to mind their P's and Q's.
At this sight, our Canadian, French speaking, bearded, Arabic-looking friend, Michael spoke to the policeman and found out that Yes Indeed they were tourist police and they were following us to be sure that nothing happened to our large group. At first we thought they were policing to ensure that nothing happened to the antiquities in these areas. But we were to realize that they were actually there to protect us and ensure that our visit to this area went well. They knew that we were Americans and that Michael was Canadian. They knew quite a lot about him since he had been in the area for a week or so. (It is required that the hotels take your passport information and they obviously enter it quickly.)
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| Deserted. |
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| Looking across the gully to a few homes. Not the best living conditions. |
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| Our Tourist Police stands guard. |
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| On to the next spot. The hillsides are dotted with small cave dwellings. |
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