VANDY SEN10R

If you like my witty retelling of my life escapades (though one can hardly call them that), I would love nothing more than for you to continue to follow along at Vandy Sen10r. Do you like what I did there with the 10?

That's what Vandy education will do for you

(among other things).

Thanks!

"Every man has two countries- his own and France" -Thomas Jefferson

I didn't know if I was going to write this blog or not, but my awesome friend Kayla(lala) told me that I should. So, for once in my life, I'm going to take someone else's advice and just bite the bullet.

Being in France was a great experience, and though I miss it so, I will be hanging on to my American citizenship (at least for a while longer!) One of the biggest things that I realized was that I missed school- quelle surprise! I've always been one of those people who refuse to call school "home" even though I'm there 8 to 9 months out of the year, I live on campus, and some of my closest circles of friends are there. I'm stubborn- you might have noticed. But while I was abroad, I found myself wanting to see my parents, to see my friends, to sit out on the lawns or go to Rites of Spring... Please, allow me to clarify, I LOVED Aix and France, but I guess old habits die hard.

I think the thing I miss the most is just being able to speak in French!!! If I knew Spanish, I'd have someone to talk to anywhere, anytime. French people, il faut que vous déménagiez aux E.U.!!! I did, however, meet a guy and his wife and they were both from Haute Normandie. They lived in a small town close to Rouen which is where I had my exchange in high school. That meant that we had a little to talk about, and it was great to speak in French with someone. I miss it so. It's strange- in France I missed English and in America I miss French... Maybe I should just move to Canada and have the best of both worlds... That would mean learning Québécois, and I'm not sure I'm up for the challenge- hahaha! We'll have to see...

I've also been working on this post for about five weeks now- talk about a procrastinator. I blame that darned European idea of "taking your time" and "enjoying life"... blah, blah, BLAH!!! Things have to be done; we need to get on the ball, people!!! I've also decided that this will be the first of my random rants, so that I can keep this blog going for senior year... I might have to create another, Vandy-themed, blog- that would be a lot better, I believe.

So, the first thing I want to talk about is the economy. It's crap, yes, we've all heard, but the thing that gets me is that Congress is thinking about lowering lending standards again to try to get us out of the situation. Well, I'm not poli sci major or political commentator, but here's my theory. We're in this mess because people on both sides of the isle don't know what they're doing. Not to be disrespectful, but they're politicians not economists. If my memory serves me well- and it does- Mr. Clinton lowered lending standards a few years ago, and that's why we had people obtaining loans that they could not pay back. Of course, this is a bipartisan quagmire, because then Good ole W came in a relaxed regulations... and by 'relaxed' I mean all but ended. So, let's add this up, shall we? We have banks that are encouraged to give loans to people that shouldn't have then, and then we lose the ability to oversee this process and stop the banks before they go too far. And it seems that we might be about to start the cycle all over again. Hmm... Now, I'm no genius, but I'm rather smart (or so I'd like to believe), and this just doesn't seem to be the answer to our problems- not to me, any way.

Of course, it would be nice to just blame the banks, but let's not forget that this is America, we are a capitalist society, and- for better or for worse- we are all about making top dollar. Our stockholders want to see returns on their investments. Can you blame a CEO for doing his job? Sure. Should you? Probably not. Now, I'm not defending big-business either; I'm just trying to get a little perspective on the situation. We'll need a lot of reforms- maybe a new way of thinking about society- to solve this problem. Giving a loan to the guy who can't pay his electric bill is not going to cut it.

I also joined a gym, and I GO!!! Ha! I decided that I need to get back into shape before I left to go back to school. Needless to say, I did not workout the way I should've while I was in France, and now it has come back to bite me in my chunky butt! It's okay, though, because I've also started doing yoga, and I can't figure out for the life of me why I didn't do it sooner. It's fun, relaxing, and energizing at the same time. I can already feel some of the results... I stretch a lot farther than before. I'm sure that come in handy for something... wink wink. :) I've also found a few people to play racquetball with- I love racquetball. This is a big deal for me, because usually I have to go the summer without any partners, and now I've found, like, three. We go play, workout, and then grab something to eat if we have the time. It's good manly bonding time!

All in all, I'm really glad to be home, but I'm still trying to figure out how to get back to France. Luckily, I was home for the Harry Potter release!!! I even convinced my parents to come out to the midnight release with me!!! It was awesome! If you haven't seen the movie yet, you should go... now... like, stop reading this, grab you keys and go to your nearest movie theater. Seriously. If you have seen it, cheers to you! Now, go take a friend!

The least you need to know:

1. I miss France, but America will always be home.
2. Ladies and gentlemen of Congress, it might be time to burn the midnight oil... I'm just saying.
3. Gym+Racquetball+meals with new friends= a not so empty social calendar (i.e. happiness).
4. Oh, and I'm moving to Memphis, TN... the verdict's still out, but I'm an optimist.

Conclusions et remarques

In Tunisia, I noticed that they only thing the French really left was their language- and even that hasn't been acquired by everyone. French culture is so different from Tunisian culture. Even after having studied in Aix for a semester (I know, it's not a lot), I still was not prepared for the culture shock that I received in Tunisia. I think that Tunisia culture is a lot more oriental than people think. Even if Tunisia is supposed to be the most modern, and western of the Maghreb countries, we witnessed ruptures between the theory and the practice.

There, I met a Swiss German that was trying to find a way to get his girlfriend out of the country so he could marry her. The family of the young girl did not want her to marry a European; rather, they wanted her to have an arranged marriage. Sure, the girl could divorce her husband later, but that would mean alienating herself from her family, friends, her in-laws, etc.- it would mean giving up her life as she has come to know it.

I've already talked about the political situation, and how troubling that is. In my opinion, it was going to Tunisia that I received a real culture shock! I didn't have one here in Aix. In France, it was just a matter of adjusting to different habits and slight variations in lifestyle. In Tunisia, it's a completely different way on viewing the world. It is completely different from anything I've ever encountered!

In all though, I loved my stay there, and I don't think I'll ever forget it! And there was a beach, so, at the end of the day, it was more than worth it!

The least you need to know:

1. Knowing French helps, but you should learn Arabic.
2. Don't talk about politics. Ever. "They're" watching...
3. I was serious about number 2.
4. Some people say it's a small world. I think the world's a lot bigger than people give it credit for.
   

Dernier jour de visites- le 21 avril

Today, we went to Sidi Bou Said. This city was really magnifique! I loved it! The houses are painted in white and blue, just like a lot of the homes along the Mediterranean or like in Greece. It was also a town built into a hill. We walked to the top of the hill and we could see the entire city from up there- it was a gorgeous view!

The guide told us that the city is one of the richest in the area. The guide told us that the homes there can cost around a million dollars. I never would have thought that this type of city would exist in Tunisia. We didn't see too many ostentatious things there, and that was unlike Aix...

In Sidi Bou Said, we bought some more things in the souk, as well. There, it was a little harder to bargain because there were so many tourists... As for me, I tried to do my best to buy souvenirs for my family. There were a lot more things at the souk than at the other one, but they costs a little more.

After having shopped for HOURS, we went to the hookah bar while waiting to go to the museum of costumes. In the hookah bar, it was really nice because everyone was sitting and talking quietly- even the guide sat and talked with us. That was really nice because we got to know him a little better. Then, instead of going to the museum, we decided to stay at the hookah bar and relax a little bit- it was a wonderful idea! And then we went back to the hotel.

Musée Bardo- le 20 avril

I really like the musée Bardo a lot! Like I've already mentioned, I find it amazing to see things that have been around for SO long. What's more, it was really cool to see these things conserved so well. I saw mosaics that were still colored and you could still see the mythological stories. It was really interesting! Then I asked if the Romans believed in their mythology the way we believe in our religions today. I would like to know what future generations will think about us and our religious practices... I think it'll be rather interesting. Especially when we start wars in the name of religion all the while preaching about peace. Today, another one of the students on the trip told me that Sweden is the country with the least amount of crime, and some researchers think that it might be because of the lack of religious practitioners.

We also learned that the museum was in the process of reorganizing itself. They want to make it so that the Tunisians can better understand their history. Today, the museum is more or less for the academics who research the topics of the museum. I found this to be a little bizarre because at the round table discussion, the students told us that about 80% of the Tunisians had a university education. I don't understand why these people wouldn't go visit the museum. They are the ones that make up the community intellectual... All the same, I am happy that the museum thought enough to change the way the expositions, so that everyone can understand what they're trying to conserve.

Kairouran et El Jem- le 19 avril

Today we went to Kairouran and went shopping in the souks! It's a completely different culture from what I'm used to in the United States. At home, I don't even try to bargain with vendors. The vendor tells me how much something costs, and if I like the thing, I buy it at that price; however, in the souks, c'est différent! In fact, one would be crazy to pay the prices that the vendors ask. You must MUST play the game: you look, you inquire, you offer, you walk away, you come back, you make another offer, you pay- it's a really LONG process! It's also very fatiguing. I had to take this first day to learn how to bargain with the vendors. I made sure that I stuck with my New York friends, and tried to pick up on as many pointers as I could. What an experience! I learned a lot, but I still don't like the process- it takes too much time! Haha!

In Kairouran, I noticed how close men are to one another. I've seen many men who walk down the street arm-in-arm. At first, I thought that maybe these men were couples, but then I realized that there were so many of them- not that there's anything wrong with that at all-I don't think that homosexual men would be so open about there relationships in Tunisia. In one of the cafés, I saw two men sitting, one with his arm around the other, and then he began stroking the cheek of the other- interesting, n'est-ce pas? What's more, Kairouran is one of the holiest cities in Islam. 7 trips to the mosque there would be the equivalent of a pilgrimage to Mecca. So, yeah, I was expecting a little more discretion... I decided to ask our guide about it, and he told me that men are just a lot closer here in Tunisia. It's actually normal for men to walk down the street holding each others' arms. In any case, I thought that the amount of comfort the men felt around each other was a great thing... if only they could feel that comfortable around women, maybe they wouldn't have to treat them so badly.

After having gone shopping, we went to El Jem. There, we visited the coliseum which is the third biggest in the world and the second biggest outside of Italy. Our guide told us that, in fact, the coliseum was once two coliseums that were merged into one. It was also in El Jem that i met the most forceful merchants ever! I had to help one of my friends by actually pushing a merchant away from her! I don't think things like that would happen in Aix, and never in the States. At first, the entire situation disturbed me, but then I began to think about why people would try to sell something so aggressively. I then realized that in El Jem life isn't as nice as it in in Aix or at home, and that these people have to make a living selling little trinkets to feed their families. Let's be honest, I don't regret having pushed the merchant, but I understand a little better his aggression.

When we got back to the hotel, we talked to one of the staff members at the bar. He talked to us about politics, religion, the state of women, etc. which is illegal in Tunisia. He didn't say too much against Islam and the government, but I was happy that he would even take the time out to talk to us about these topics. I did notice, however, that he had been really conditioned by society. This man did not critique his life situation; he just accepted it the way it was, and he did not want to change it. When we talked about the president, he said that the Tunisians did not need to change to the president because another one would just do the same thing. That reminded me of a conversation I had with my aunt once. She likes to buy plastic cups, but then she washes them. I asked her why- the point of plastic cups is that you can throw them away. She said that sometimes she doesn't mind washing them, and sometimes she does, but she likes to have the option. I think that's the thing. In the States, we know that we can change the president, even if we don't want to- more importantly, the president knows we can take away his position. That's what's important... having the option.

Carthage- le 18 avril

Today we went to Carthage. It was really neat to see and touch things that have existed for centuries. Sometimes I have a hard time imagining that the Romans built these monuments- it's really extraordinary. We don't have things like that in the States. It's was being in Carthage that made me realize just what it means when people say "the United States is a young country".

While on the tour of Carthage, we learned the history of the Carthaginians and how they were beaten several times by the Romans. I had studied this stuff in high school, but since I don't use it, it took a little time for it all to start coming back to me. We also talked about the what "Punic" and "Carhtaginian" mean. Punic is the mix between the indigenous people in Tunisia and the Romans, just fyi.

In Carthage, we went into the Cathedral of St. Louis. It was enormous with byzantine art that was really pretty. Unfortunately, when Tunisia won its independence, most of the catholic churches were closed or turned into administrative buildings. I find that absolutely saddening because it's as if the state prohibits the practice of certain religions. I imagine it must be difficult to a Catholic in Tunisia. Let's say, for the sake of argument, there were a family that wanted to live in Tunisia, but this family also happened to be really religious- namely, really catholic. I don't think they would be willing to pay the price of giving of their religion in order to move. This whole closing of the churches thing also makes me feel that there is a lack of tolerance in Tunisia. We talked to guide about homosexuality, and he told us that homosexuals were treated in a "disagreeable manner". I found that astounding, because even in the States people at least pretend to be tolerant, and hold their tongues... What's more is that in Tunisia, it's not just the people who are intolerant- it's the government!

Tonight, we went to a show in the Cultural Center of Carthage. There, one of our professors had a part in the play. The play was about the walls that we build that just foster more misunderstandings between countries- the Berlin wall, the one they want to build between Cali and Mexico, etc. But, I also saw other "walls"- the one between men and women, the one between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and the one between the people and the government. It was a really interesting play especially since I like to analyse those kinds of things.

After the play, we were invited to a celebration because it was opening night for the show, and they wanted to celebrate its success. Well, what I think was supposed to be a small celebration was transformed into a big dance party- typical of Americans (and Tunisians, I suppose). In any case, it was a really great night! Everyone was really nice and welcoming!