Top 10 Sayings from Tunisia

I've been trying to think of a fun way of blogging about my trip without having to do the whole day by day play by play, which lets face it, you will all gloss over and pick one thing to comment on. So, on that note, I've decided to change it up and do it Letterman-style, and by that I don't mean having an affair with someone a fraction of my age.

Top Ten sayings from Tunisia:

10. “Look! George Bush!”

            Tunisians think it’s really funny to tell you you look like someone famous, i.e. they told my friend Matt he looked like Bush. We had fun with that one.

9. “Chicago! Obama!”

            With all due respect to Green Bay, I’ve given up trying to explain to people where I’m from. I’ve taken to just saying Chicago; however, when I do that, the immediate reaction is Obama!”

8. “Santa lives in Tunis!”

            When we went to the US Embassy, we were given a speech by a number of higher-ups, including a stout older man with a white beard. He tried explained what he did, which includes giving people temporary passports. He said he was Santa, not us, for the record.

7.  “I hope we have a new ambassador. This one’s just so stupid.”

The owner of this quote remains anonymous. I promise it’s not me. The person would like to add that he doesn’t care for the ambassador because the ambassador considers Tunisia the Middle East.

6. “You guys? Who’s Tony Danza?”

We learned a new card game that we called Tony Danza, which involves yelling Tony Danza at the top of your lungs. While playing, my friend Matt made the huge mistake of admitting to not knowing who Tony Danza was. Shunning was involved.

5. “Let’s take him home!” “Okay!”

            Yes. We were talking about a dog. I did not initiate any dog-napping this spring break. Sadly, the guy who suggested it turned out to be joking. I was not amused. The puppy was adorable.

4. “Your camel has gas issues. It sounds like bubbling nuclear waste.”

            You know what? Not all camels are like the ones in Aladdin. On that note, neither are Arabian Knights, but that’s a different story. My camel, I have to admit, did have some serious issues in the gastro-intestinal area…

3. “Fish and Chips!”

            Perhaps my favorite name to be called. When I tell them I’m not American, i.e. when I like messing with people by talking in a British accent, they start yelling “fish and chips!” I’m glad to know British people have their own stereotypes…

2. “I think I bruised my boob!”

            While I know I will get lectured from my parents for being inappropriate, I couldn’t not mention this one. Let’s just say the seatbelts were very effective. I had no idea the 4 x 4s were so fun and intense! Truth be told, I wasn’t even going to put on my seatbelt until it was strongly suggested by the driver. We bounced so much that I actually hit my head on the top of the jeep.

1. “For you? Good price!”

BEST QUOTE OF THE TRIP! We heard it every time we went to a market, or walked by a random vendor, or out of a museum, or really anytime. Part of the “Tunisian market experience” is haggling with vendors. They are actually really smart and can switch from one language to another in a blink of an eye. They can also screw you over majorly. They start out with an absurd price, but tell you it’s a special price because they like you, or they like Obama or you have nice eyes. They tell you you won’t get a better price. The trick is, I’m 99% sure they all work together. Case and point: if they don’t have change, they go to the stall next to them and get it from them.