The expedition diaries Tunisia (15-28 April 2003)                               If you want to have photo or video materials about Tunisia - write us a letter.

How all started We are at the Tunisian port La Goulette. The ferry-boat with the participants of "THE RALLY HANNIBAL" is to arrive at any minute. We have decided with them to get familiar with Tunisia. There is a club in France called "TRACBAR". This is a group of nice people united by the same interests: all of them possess 1938-1957 Citroens. Unfortunately, that is almost all we have known about them. A few words to add: they are fond of adventures and active way of rest. That's why every year they travel around far-away countries by their favourite cars. The Internet site www.tracbar.com gave us some information about this club and its forthcoming projects to pay a visit to the Sahara. We liked this project; moreover, its itinerary matched the earlier one, designed by us. We decided to travel together as it is by far more thrilling. We got in touch with the rally organizers and opted for visiting this desert together. When at the port, we thought to have missed the meeting. Four black shiny Citroens were parked in close proximity to our place. They were likely to be manufactured in the middle of the XXth century. Fortunately, we draw a sigh of relief when seeing the Tunisian car numbers. This car brand turned out to be very popular here. Besides, some local old cars fans were looking forward to welcoming their French "colleagues". Finally, the cars turned up. The first one is the oldest Citroen of the year 1938. A splendid white-dressed woman comes out of it. She seems to be transferred quite by chance from the times when her car was manufactured. Hunching her shoulders due to a cool sea breeze she poses close to her antiquarian toy. The other cars form two lines and the united procession drives out surrounded by enthusiastic applauding people. We hear united klaxons honks; a strange sound (like a grunting) is the 307 number car voice. It makes smile even the most indifferent people. These old cars have much in common with human creatures. Their owners consider them to be their family members. They are describing the main character features, habits of their pet for a long time, stroking its sides like an Arabian horse's crupper. All the cars go through the customs very quickly and the beautiful cavalcade, escorted by the valiant Tunisian police take the central streets of the capital to arrive at the Mayoral Office. The city center is quite new. We can find there traditional oriental style buildings and mosques among high-storeyed buildings from glass and concrete, Catholic and Orthodox churches, theatres decorated with ornamental patterns, sparkling show-windows of shops. The central avenue reminds of the Arbat of Moscow with its openwork cast lanterns. The Mayoral Office of Tunis is an imposing building. The traditional oriental style combined with modern tinted glass gives it original and particular features. The interior, carved ceiling and marble staircase should make envy any ancient governor. The building is so rich and so nicely furnished that you hardly dare to speak in a low voice. The Mayor of the city of Tunis makes a solemn speech and wishes us: Bon voyage. After that we are invited to a light fourchette to celebrate our expedition start. The first floor windows overlook the splendid view of the city at night. Ancient features and modern ones. West and East. This is Tunisia. A country, quite untypical of Northern Africa. Next: >>>  Ghar El Melh

e-mail:	Update: 12 July 2003	Support TV company "Svoy Krug"