Tunisia -- Sidi Bou Saïd

 

 Sidi Bou Saïd is a town in northern Tunisia located about 20 km from Tunis and 4 km from Carthage. It is a tourist town that features souvenir shops, restaurants, and hotels. It is also near the shipping docks of Tunis. Above is a typical street with cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings with blue windows and doors. 

Although Sidi Bou Saïd has been around at least since the 12th century, it is quite modern.

The Carthage Palace juts out into the Mediterranean Sea. It is the official residence and seat of the President of Tunisia, which is next to the current city of Carthage and the archaeological site of the ancient city. Behind it is the industrial area that features international shipping docks.

 

 

Sidi Bou Saïd was our last stop for souvenirs, and the streets were loaded with them. They surely add much color and activity to the streets.

 

 

 

 

 

Sidi Bou Saïd is known as a town for artists. Many Tunisian writers and painters lived or visited here. French philosopher Michel Foucault lived here for a number of years while teaching at the University of Tunis. French author Andre Gide also had a house in the town. French singer Patrick Bruel sang about Sidi Bou Said in his song Au Café des Délices pictured here.

 

 

 

 

 Surrounding Sidi Bou Saïd are mountains and the ever-present olive trees. 

 

We stayed at this fancy hotel, Dar Sid, our last two nights in Tunisia.

The hotel was a rich man's villa at one time. It sits on top of a hill and winds through flat cobblestone streets. It's beautiful and spacious and every room is different. 

I think about my good fortune in being here in Tunisia over these past two weeks and thank God and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for putting me on this journey of travel throughout the world.

 My room is below.