Three months ago I couldn’t imagine how a Tunisian experience in a random city named Sfax could be. I was doing so many jokes with “where the Sfucks am I going?” that when finally my leaving got real. So it wasn’t funny anymore. Last year, in October I decided to live for three months in Tunisia.
It was “a brave thing to do” as some of my friends encouraged me or “a stupid thing” as other friends told me.
My Comfort Zone
But I needed this. I needed to put myself there, challenge myself, get out of my comfort zone and see how I will survive. To be completely honest, I needed to run away. I wasn’t in a happy place, I was lost.
Now I will stay here for two more weeks and I can’t believe that this experience is almost over. It was one of the biggest challenges in my entire life. And I can proudly say that I added new pages to my experience book, and what an experience that was! Oh, boy! If I knew before coming here what are the real conditions I don’t think I would have come at all. Yet one thing’s for sure: I don’t regret at all coming here. Let me tell you more about my Tunisian experience… shortly.
I cried and laughed, I was scared and I was happy, several times I was injured, but then saved, most of the time I was helped especially when I was in danger. I run and I walked, I waited all the time and I hoped. I hugged and I kissed, I was touched and I was hurt. I was always honest and I’ve lied, I trusted and I’ve been rejected. I succeeded and I learned. I was hot and I was cold, I stumbled and I panicked. I drank and I danced. I cooked and baked. I fell and I got up. I had breakdowns and I had breakthroughs. I loved and I hated. And most important of them all: I made really good friends.
The Others
It’s not easy living in a world that you can’t understand. However, it’s not impossible. Sometimes it gets really hard to confront all of the eyes that are watching every move you make. And sometimes it’s just funny how someone can be so confused just by looking at you.
Some people care more about nature and animals than others, some are more afraid of God than others, some treasure friendship over money, others treasure money over anything else, and some are dedicating their lives to just one thing (like music, religion, books or women) and others are just living each day as it comes. Some have faith, while others have courage. But at the core of our existence, we are the same: we want the best for ourselves, we try to help our friends and we care about our family. We all have big or small dreams and finally, we all want to be liked or loved by others.
And that was my challenge: can I love something that I don’t understand? And now with all the fear and anxiety, I had before coming here, I can easily say that yes, I love my Tunisian experience.
Originally posted on January 11th, 2013
Pingback: Where are you now? | Nimicuri sfâşiate prin cuvinte