Top 10 Things I've Learned About Tunisia

For the past few days we've been trekking around Tunisia. From the camels, excuse me, "dromedaries", to the 4 wheeling across the Sahara, to the bustling marketplaces where you are accosted by eager vendors at every turn, I have to say this vacation has been vastly different from anything I've ever done before. So without further ado, here are my Top 10 Things About Tunisia:

1. The men are surprisingly affectionate with each other and spend all their time lounging at cafes. "The tea will not drink itself" our friend says.
2. Don't take pictures of people without their permission. Doing so can lead to some awkward social situations with fiesty arab teenagers.
3. Tunisian men are disappointed in me due to the constantly reoccurring sequence of events:
1. We walk into a place and their eyes light up because they think one of their own has got a white woman.
2. They approach me in a very animated fashion, only to realize that I have no idea of what they are saying... arabic or french.
3. My status as a man is revoked as they realize I am wholly dependent on a woman has to translate for me, order my meals, shop for me, etc etc.
4. If you're like me, and never liked couscous in your life because you think it's like eating sand... then the problem is that you've just never had real couscous.
5. There is an Arab version of every suspect looking hispanic person you know.
6. Always count your change.... because I apparently have "sucker" written all over my forehead.
7. Things likened to "viagra" by various shop vendors on this trip:
1. Ginger - understandable... I've heard that one before in several other cultures (including my own).
2. Harrissa (a spice mixture with a good hot kick to it) - Kinda understandable. Lots of spicy things have historically been deemed manly or said to "put hair on your chest", so I get that one.
3. Gazelle horn - A pastry filled with ground nuts, fried, then coated with honey. Yeah... this is where they analogy falls apart. Either that or there must be some really fattening viagra out there...
8. Do not buy anything in the local markets unless you are REALLY good at haggling. Otherwise, you'll be ripped off. Incidentally, I have learned that I am not as good at haggling as I thought I was...
9. I got better cell phone reception in the Sahara than I do sitting at my desk at work. I'm not kidding. A full 5 bars while riding my dromedary. Tmobile can stand to learn a few things from "Tunisiana".
10. And the final thing I've learned about Tunisia...
    
    A Saharan sunset is a good moment to pop the question. We are engaged!