NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

It would be rare for an expat to not feel some kind of homesickness at some time whilst living abroad.  My husband himself was a Tunisian expat living in Britain.  Voicing his feelings on the subject, he claims that initially on first moving away from home, the expat finds himself living in a state of euphoria!   Everything is new, exciting and different.  He described how about six months down the line he began to get the first pangs of homesickness, finding himself longing to eat foods that he never really liked before, just because they were from his home country!  Family and friends were acutely missed and a whole year was spent saving money to spend the annual two week's summer holiday going back to visit them!   18 years on, there are things that he would miss about Britain if he moved again.  He considers it his home, just as much as Tunisia and does not like to hear people say bad things about the place!

Webcams have helped ease the loneliness felt by missing family back home.  British home shopping companies with websites enabling expats to shop for their favourite foods and have them delivered to their doorstep of their new country have been welcomed by many.  There are also thousands of websites created by expats, for expats, all offering advice on living abroad.  One such website for expats living in Indonesia displayed the following useful commandments for their readers:-

• Though shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home for verily thou hast left home to explore different things.
  
• Thou shalt not take anything too seriously, for a care-free mind is essential for a healthy body.
  
• Thou shalt not sit around and mope and feel unwanted or unskilled; there are many people and organisations who would be grateful for your donations of time and energy.
  
• Thou shalt not worry, for he that worrieth hath no pleasure.
  
• When in Rome, thou shalt be prepared to do somewhat as the Romans do.
  
• Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by the one person who has given thee trouble. Remember that thou art a guest in a foreign land, and he who treateth his host with respect shall be honoured.

Definitely good advice, with the meaning behind it being if we want to enjoy life in Tunisia, we should all try to live as the locals do, mix with them as often as possible, try and learn their language and respect their customs and traditions, join in with them and not expect life to be the same as it was in Britain.

Many people find it takes a while to learn to view their new country as "home" and to begin to appreciate all the good things that the country has to offer, instead of dwelling on the negatives.  Meeting other expats living in their area, especially those who have lived in the country longer can help to ease the newcomers into their new way of life.

No matter how much we are pining for familiar surroundings, friends and family, we should try to view moving to our new home as a fantastic opportunity to learn and experience new things and broaden our horizons.  It is a refreshing and innovative challenge for all of us!

Interesting Reading

http://www.overseasdigest.com/expatriate-journey.htm
An Expatriate's Journey Of Self-Discovery

http://www.overseasdigest.com/expat-spouses-no-career.htm
Expat Spouses - Surviving Abroad Without A Career

http://www.britishclubworldwide.com/
I would love to know if any of you have joined this club - check out the website and you will see what I mean!!

http://www.overseasdigest.com/specific-country-articles.htm
Compare other people's countries to yours!

http://www.britishexpat.com/

http://www.subzeroblue.com/
Tunisian blogger writing about life, technology, politics, music, cinema, books, Tunisia, and news. (In English)

http://www.wrx.zen.co.uk/britnews.htm
No excuse for not keeping up with all the news from Britain and the rest of the world.  British newspapers online.

Discussion Forums

Expats living in Tunisia contribute to these forums as well as holidaymakers, or people wishing to move to Tunisia.

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/ 

http://www.tunisia.com/

http://board.classifieds1000.com/Tunisia/Expat

http://www.virtualtourist.com/

http://www.trivago.co.uk/

Holidays Home

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb?source=TOP_home
British Airways flights can be booked on any day without having to stick to a rigid 1 or 2 week's return flight.  You receive a separate price for the outgoing and return flights.  These are not set prices and can be raised or reduced, quite often enabling you to find a bargain flight.  Prices are quoted in Tunisian dinars for flying from Tunis Carthage with an online convertible price checker enabling you to see the equivalent price in British pounds sterling.

http://www.tunisair.com/publish/home.asp?lang=en
Similar online service offered by Tunisair.

Holidays To England By Train

Holidays back to England can also be by ferry and train, ideal for those of us not to keen on flying.  The following website gives you all the information on making it possible to do all of this in just 48 hours!  The website also contains bus and train timetables for Tunisia

http://www.seat61.com/Tunisia.htm