Before I came to Tunisia, I’ve always held this strange fear of what I may encounter here. Onarrival, I just felt this heat in the air coming straight into my face. Here Iam where I was destined to be. Sidi Bou Said, a paradise where I was able torun away from reality. All the problems that once arose in my life were gonewith the wind. Passion and energy were the first words popped into my mind whenI met everyone. They held faith in life and belief; they enjoyed themselves ina way that I had never done. What happens in Tunisia will stay in Tunisia for the rest of my life.
The grave of life is also known as the void Sahara. Going into Sahara is not like going toanother place, but to a dream in the distance. Forty years ago, a tremendouslady in China went into this fabulous Sahara, leaving a for the Chinese people to imagine its beauty in fantasy. Thus, thewhole generation held this memory of homesickness for Sahara. Every time Ithink of you, there will be a piece of sand falling from the sky, so be theSahara. Every time I think of you, there will be a drop of water falling fromthe sky, so be the Pacific.
Driving to Tozeur,we finally came to the spot of shat al Jerid. The nations who live along themountains tend to be steady and defendant; while the nations who live along thewater is more likely to look forward to exploring and invasion. So in what wayshould we define this solitude land?
The Berbers living in Matmata were described in as unique compared to noone. The sun shone upon us, the heat almost thrust upon us, and the wind wasblowing in the face of each one. In the depth of human race, we were able tosee the magic that god had built for us. I held my breath in the creation oflife for respect and love.
I held faith for love for here and for those nights we cheered for the gathering. In my entirelife, I was grateful for those invisible forces which brought me here. I amglad for those lovely encounters, for those beautiful memories we have createdtogether, for those moments that I would be reminded of you each time I thinkabout it. All I want to tell is I am here because of you. I guess it is called destiny.
Above were the words written in the workshop during this project. For now, it is over forabout a month. Looking back to this summer, I’ve got quite a lot strangefeelings mixed together. We have a lot of Chinese on this project, which atfirst I thought it is bad for the diversity, while in some way it did. We spenta lot of time doing things together and we were warned of speaking too much Chinese. I was in a bad temper as being seen as a colored race in an Arabiccountry. At the very beginning, I’ve given a lot of thought to the part oflanguage; as a matter of a fact, it should be used as a tool of communicationinstead of separation. As an AIESECer myself, we hold the belief thatcommunication makes the world better. However, in this case, I find it not veryuseful. The both sides of the argument were only trying to convey their ownideas. Arabic may be stubborn, “YEAH, I GET WHAT YOU MEAN,BUT LISTEN TO ME, YOU NEED TO……”
Life was hard, as when I first arrived I woke up at six every morning woken by the noise of theprayer. Gradually, I am at peace with everything there. Chagra was the OCP ofthe project. He was the first person I saw in Tunisia because he picked me upat the airport. I guess that is when I grew my reliance on him and maybe acrush. Lou was really kind to hear my story and was willing to help me to makea positive change not only in this project but also in my lifelong time. For myChinese gang, Yuki, Diane, Jasmine, Ethan, and Jankin, we survived thehardship, and grew friendship. The sad thing is that we don’t talk much when wewere all at home now. Maybe everyone got their life to deal with. WE WERE BACKON TRACK.
All in all, the bitterness and happiness were along with my experience. Words failed me in a way that you would never feel what I ought to experience. Those moments no matter what it is would be buried inside through my entire life. I did have a positive change towards life and I would apply this attitude to a better well-being for myself and for those around me. Not for a single moment didthat courage waver. Surely goodness and happiness will follow me all along my life.
