Dictionary

Ben Ali

The president of Tunisia, you can find him hanging around anywhere in Tunisia.

Borj

 

Chicha

The well-known oriental waterpipe in the tunisian version, offered with different tastes like apple and strawberry. It can’t be compared with standard smoking, but it can have a certain effect on one’s physis. In any way, it’s great to enjoy the sunset in a nice café on the beach smoking chicha. More on this site about chicha / narghile.

Claquettes

The cheap plastic sandals everybody wears at the beach. It is a kind of a national sport to steal them, so just make sure you do not spend more than 15 TND on them. Stay clear of the "branded" ones, they are of bad quality.

Couscous

 

Habib Bourgiba

The first president of Tunisia after the war, was resigned by Ben Ali. Each town's main road carries his name.

Harissa

Typical for tunisian cooking is this spicy red sauce made of red chili peppers. You can find it in Sandwiches, its part of every dinner (in combination with baguette and olives) and you can simply eat it purely (if you dare).

Ksar

A berber stronghold consisting of many grain storage cells.

Louage

A very important experience for every visitor in Tunisia. This special kind of group taxi is very cheap and most useful if you travel in groups of about 6-9 persons. It provides connections between all important and many medium cities in Tunisia. Sometimes it takes you some patience but hey – that’s Tunisia!

Magasin Général

 

Medina

The place where you can lose a lot of money and your patience. If you’re not used to bargain – here you will learn it very quickly. Different stuff is offered like Tarboukas, scarfs (very different qualities), Chichias, Chichas, traditional Tunisian clothes, shoes, sunglasses and many more. It’s an essential part of living in Tunisia so just dive in.

Metro

Its full name beeing Métro Léger, this urban train runs entirely above ground. It takes you from Tunis Marine, that is the terminus of the TGM, to all parts of the city. Important hubs are Place Barcelone and Place de la République (called Passage by the locals). On your first trips, it might be a good idea to ask fellow passengers about the best way or shortcuts, as the lines change their destinations during the day.

Publinet

Synonym for Internet Café, here you can access the internet for a low fee of about 1 TND per hour. The lines are terribly slow, though, and the staff will be watching every word you type on their surveillance screen.

Publitel

the same as Taxiphone

Salade Mechouia

The spicy green sauce put into sandwiches. It is made by grilling the spices.

Salade Tunisiènne

Mostly vegetables and tuna. A special ingredient is a raw egg!

Sandwich

Basic part of daily food. Familiar to Turkish “doener kebab”. You can find sandwich-shops everywhere nearby and choose between many combinations of sausage, cheese, olives, tuna, etc. Good prices.

Séance unique

In july and august, there will be no noon brake, instead you will be working from 7 till 13:30. Not all companies adhere to this mode of work, but most.

Souq

The medina is devided in souqs. In each of these sections, only a specific good is sold, e.g. parfums, chechias (hats) or clothing.

Tarbouka

Traditional instrument of Tunisian musicians. Similar to a ‘bongo’, the Tarbouka can be played alone or together with flutes, bagpipes, etc. It’s cheap, makes a lot of noise and offers good entertainment during long bus trips (if you don’t want to sleep).

Taxiphone

There are no phone boths on the streets in Tunisia, they are all standing in these privately run phone offices. The fees are the same everywhere, just keep enough coins ready. Some phones seem to get you clearer lines.

TGM

The train between Tunis and La Marsa provides connection to La Goulette, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. Normally it’s like all public transports in Tunisia – totally overcrowded. Nice feature is the unordinary air-condition offered by teenagers who keep the doors open during the ride. This is actually quite necessary for it’s terribly hot in those trains.

Thé à la menthe

Very strong peppermint tea with lots of sugar. Students drink liters of it when preparing for the exams. Also available as thé aux piniens, that is with some pine kernels put into them, costs extra.

Yasmin

Our official IAESTE-trainee discotheque in Tunis itself. Located in LaGoulette, it offers not too much space but funky music like tunisian disco-hits but also european charthits ("Habibi forever"). If you go there and you’re a girl, beware of Okba!