Last Saturday night was one of those times when the day after you stop and think 'did alllll of that really happen in just one night??' Things started off with Sarra and I getting all dolled up to head to her/our friend Nadia's house in Sidi Bou Said for an art show. The house is incredible with the most amazing view of Tunis and the ocean and the amazing works from the artist that adorned the house were just the icing on the cake. Safia and my gay French friend met us there and we enjoyed shmoozed and oohed and ahhed over the works.
My friend Safia then, suggested that we check out her friend's party that was also in Sidi Bou. She said I'd probably know a few people there, but it was a goodbye party for one of the German guys that was leaving. Never to turn down a party, especially one that was nearby, we went. Lordy do I love Safia's friends. I seriously seriously think she knows every expat in Tunisia. Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to hang out just with expats, but it's so fun being in a completely international environment. There were Germans Austrians, Senegalese, Portuguese, Iraqis, Tunisian/German, French, French/Tunisian, Tunisians, Colombian/American, Belgian, etc. The list goes on. (Sarra spent the night trying to get me to date the cute Iraqi guy because it would be 'such a fairytale')(oh and a lot of the guys were quite attractive which made me and Sarra and my gay friend quite happy)
We had some great conversations in various different languages, but what was very interesting for me, was to hear about how all of these different people from all over happened to end up here and what they've done before. Most surprising/impressive was a Belgian man named Sebastian (older than the rest of the group) who is here working for the African Development Bank (very interested in that) and who happens to be blind. It's hard enough living and working in a foreign country without adding a handicap to that. Not to mention that Tunisia is not very well equipped to deal with disabilities. But, he said he is very much enjoying Tunisia and his work here and hopes to extend his contract. Whatta story! I had some great conversations about the elections in the States, a discussion about the cultural differences btw East and West Berlin with representatives from both sides, the difficulties of NGOs in Tunisia, etc. Too many interesting stories and points of views.
Best of all, is I think the night helped answer some questions in my head. I've been severely struggling with the 'what next' question. Do I stick with the corporate route? Do i try out international law? Do I go the international org route? The questions are endless. I came here hoping to have some answered and have been frustrated that answers haven't come easily, but I think I'm finally seeing the light. Now that I have a better picture of what I don't want to be doing and what might interest me more, it's time to get the old resume out there and see what options arise.
