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April 18, 2005

holidaying solo to a place where you don't speak the language

went to tunisia on my own, in 2001, when i was 23. it was really cool, even though i didn't speak the language, which was predominantly arabic and french. i got by on the french somewhat, because i got to all the right places safe and sound, without any hassles.

i didn't know anybody but tunisians were friendly enough, often mistaking me for being japanese, and the country is liberal and stable enough for a girl to travel around on my own. it was nice traveling on your own; you had your own pace, didn't have appointments to keep, and could do anything i wanted to do, see the sights i'd marked in my guidebook, and i didn't have to talk to anyone if i didn't want to.

in fact, the most interaction i had were with tunisian students and the waiters at cafes.

spent a lot of time on the beach, on my back, reading books, but also hit the local medinas or old town squares for shopping or photography. i ate like the locals, in the market, and went to the coffee shops where the men are always smoking pipes. at the time i didn't realise that women don't actually go there to smoke; it was a men only place. oh well.

anyway i would definitely recommend going on vacation alone.

See more progress on: take a vacation alone

Posted by Yasmina at April 18, 2005 11:54 PM

Comments

Posted by: shannav at April 19, 2005 02:57 PM