Things that we like no. 3 - and we could not go without it

SLING!

And Mila in the Sling - having to use public transport and taxis it would be impossible with the buggy but with this piece of cloth - yes yes yes

BTW - 12 degrees today - peaking at 18 - weekend 26!!

Things that we like no. 2

our kettle!

and mint tea..

Things that we like! no. 1

Number 1 - Harrisa - spicy spicy mash of red peppers that you eat with bread and oil before main meal - I eat it by spoon full!

Prickly pear - I like Baloo Bear!

Time has come for Figue Barbarique! Prickly Pear! Its everywhere as its the season and the grumpy man in the veg shop - who turned out not to be grumpy after all - showed me how to cut it and eat!
So here it goes!

First its on the cactus

Then you buy it in the shop

Then you cut both ends off (careful - do not touch - I did...took me three days to find all the little pricks! - no offense!)

then cut the skin in the middle and peal off to discover delicious sweet - papaya like interior!!!
Yummy!!

Amusing facts no. 1

Here it goes:

Taxis - when they are free - the RED light is on, when occupied - GREEN
Light switches - when off - the position is ON - like we use in Ireland, when on - the other way round - really confusing!
Light railway - very light - costs different depending who sells me the ticket - tiny difference but still ;)
National sport of young guys is to chase them and hang off them - I actually saw one of them being whacked by tree branches but he still hanged on!

oh yes and the special one! if you need umbrella - and you do for those winter months - BRING ONE WITH YOU! Cause its impossible to buy here.
More surely to come!

2.11.2009 Victor's First Day in School

Today was a big day - Victor's first day in new school that we found (or rather Gillou did) in La Marsa. School is very nice (pre school rather) with nice garden with some fruit trees (no not apples - orange and lemon trees!) and very nice kids. We were all very nervous about this first day. First logistics of getting there (see below) then language - how will Victor cope etc - and then for me FOOD - I have to cook him lunches! Actually need to thing of something nutritious and nice for him to eat and prepare it a day before.
So...
on the menu was biscuit and yogurt for snack and pasta with fresh tomato sauce and chicken (you should see tomatoes here..) and fresh pear to follow - not bad he?
In the morning we packed Mila in the sling (on Mama) packed Victor lunch Spiderman bag and off we went - we took a taxi to La Marsa. After a bit of a leg hugging and little show for our sake Victor decided to stay and we wandered off - me nearly crying - Gillou a bit nervous. We wandered back for a bit to find ourselves on the beach front - so decided to take a coffee on one of the terraces - as it was 27 degrees today that made a nice break. (NOTE: Mila still on my belly in the sling!) Gillou took taxi to work and I ventured into public transport. Train - (have to take the photo of it - its not Luas thats for sure!) costs 20 cents and this time it was comfortably empty. On the way back I bought a
Kilo of Tomatoes
2 aubergines
Kilo of Spinach
3 pears
All for 2 Euro (had to write it hope you are all green with envy)
By three Mila back in the sling - and off to the train. Walk back to preschool for 30 minutes (I am getting impossibly fit in this country) to find our Victor happy as Larry - wanting to go back and no bother on him at all! Caught a taxi back (no way Victor would hack 30 minutes walk through traffic and cafes full of tea sipping men) with the nicest taxi driver on earth.
Reports were saying that Victor did great - even kids accepted him and talked to him in Arabic - I bet our son will still be fluent in it.
Very very relieved..
A&G
PS Mila spend 4 hours in the sling today - she did well our little girl!

Sidi Bou Said

Sunday - sunny Sunday we went to Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said - the beauty of this place is striking. Its only 5 minutes from our house and you can really get lost in its beauty - few photos to wet your appetites!!