SIDI BOU SAID - Tunisia

I had visited Sidi Bou Said in 1986 and remembered it as a beautiful sleeply little town with houses all in white and blue. People came there to admire the archtecture and walk through the little streets.

When we stopped in Sidi Bou Said, this time the town town itself had become a big tourist attraction full of stalls before you enter the town and full of shops in the town. All kinds of souvenirs (some not even remotely connected to Sidi Bou Said and sometimes not to Tunisia itself) can be bought in the main street. So for me it was quiet a disappointment. But for those who had never seen it before it is still worthwhile to walk through the little town. You can read more about the town  here.










Little streets with houses all in white and blue.

We then visited an upper class house which was open for tourists and was still owned by the family. Nothing had changed except the Souvenir shop which had been added in one part of the courtyard !



view into the courtyard with a little well, still working



steps leading to the upper floors



Places to rest in the courtyard





a comfortable little corner to sit down





Tea was served by a family member



Beautiful decorated open fire



artful mosaic everywhere






The upper floor staircase leading to the courtyard





an overview of the courtyard



inside the house



and how the rooms were used. The classical lady garments of the past centuries




and the men.

It was such a nice house that I really wished to live in there !



and when we left a friendly Yasmin bouquet seller said "Good Bye"


July 22, 2012