Working Week 6 : Sightseeing Tunisia

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Working Week 6: Sightseeing Tunisia. From Hammamet to Tunis,

Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd Developing study skills: Reading-Writing- Speaking- Listening

I. � Reading Comprehension Read the following text paying attention to the specific information it provides:

It may be but a slim wedge of North Africa’s vast horizontal expanse, but Tunisia has enough history

and diverse natural beauty to pack a country many times its size. With a balmy, sand-fringed

Mediterranean coast, scented with jasmine and sea breezes, and where the fish on your plate is always

fresh, Tunisia is prime territory for a straightforward sun-sand-and-sea holiday. But beyond the

beaches, it’s a thrilling, underrated destination where distinct cultures and incredible extremes of

landscape can be explored in just a few days. Tunis is refashioning itself as an ambitiously modern

Arab capital, though both its long Ottoman and not-so-distant colonial past still have a powerful,

palpable presence. In the north, lakes teem with pink flamingos, surprising deep-green forests rise up

from the coast, and gently rolling plains are dotted with olive and citrus trees. To the south, the ever-

enchanting sands of the Sahara stretch deep into Africa and the traditions of the indigenous Berbers

persevere. Tourism plays a huge part in the economy but Tunisians are surprised, and charmed, by

independent travellers. Although around 7 million tourists arrive each year, unless you’re holed up in

an all-inclusive hotel in Hammamet, Sousse or Jerba in July, you’re probably going to wonder where

the 6,999,995 or so others are. While there’s precious little that caters specifically for those staying

outside resorts, that doesn’t mean that travel isn’t easy here. You’ll discover atmospheric hotels that

are pure colonial swansongs, cafes and restaurants where you can gorge on Maghrebi favourites,

plates of homemade pasta or perfect pastries for a fraction of the price of those in Italy or France, and

often have the unbeatable historical thrill of kicking around a stunning ancient site with just you and

the ghosts. The country’s public transport is cheap and reliable. Plus there are new breeds of hoteliers,

restaurateurs and shopkeepers who have taken their cues from the high-end offerings of Morocco and

are creating an increasing number of stylish, atmospheric alternatives to the chain monoliths and

tourist souqs – but in true Tunisian style they’re both a tad more laid-back and more affordable. North

Africa’s most relaxed and hospitable country just might turn out to be its most interesting.

Our Top Picks For Tunisia 1 Sahara: The silent, shifting sands of your dreams. Make it to Ksar Ghilane to see the huge,

undulating dunes beyond.

2 Sidi Bou Saïd : The bijou beach by the marina is a perfect place to relax; walk down the 365 steps

from the village for wonderful views among the eucalypt and pine.

3 Jerba: An island with the requisite soft sandy beaches as well as the charming, cobblestoned town

of Houmt Souq, and a lone fascinating history of ethnic diversity.

4 Bardo Museum : Home to the world's best collection of Roman mosaics as well as an extensive,

beautiful collection of statuary and bronze work

5 Lake Ichkeul : Flamingos, herons, egrets and storks: this is birdwatching bliss. The delicately green

and blue marshland is also home to buffalo.

6 Cap Bon : Swim in the clear rock pools of El-Haouaria’s quiet beach, backed by a mountain of

glimmering fool’s gold, or take a dip in Aïn Atrous’ patch of thermal-spring-heated ocean.

Working Week 6 : Sightseeing Tunisia

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7 El-Jem : Site of a dramatic Colosseum rising from a low plain, El-Jem is also home to an impressive

archaeological museum with vivid, pristine mosaics.

8 Tabarka : The best spot in Tunisia to explore the Med's underwater landscapes on a diving or

snorkelling trip.

9 Madhia : This peninsula town's centre has old-world charm - sip some tea, then take a walk around

the Cap d'Afrique to join the local kids jumping off the rocks.

10 Dougga : Set in the picturesque Kalled Valley, surrounded by fields of amber grain and olive

groves, this is a Roman city with a view.

11 Hammamet : Package hotels, noddy trains and the country's best nightlife aside, Hammamet

manages to be surprisingly laid-back, with a largely intact medina and friendly town centre.

12 Jugurtha's Table : A flat-top mountain that rears up from the plains like an island; tackle the

hacked stone steps for views out over Algeria.

13 Midès Gorge : Trek this spectacular gorge with stunning views of the dunes and combine it with a

swim in the 10m-high waterfalls nearby.

14 Hammam Mellegue : Remote but remarkable, here you can have a long hot soak in a rust-red

Roman caldarium (hot room) that's soothed the senses of 40 or so generations.

15 Melloula : Gorgeous coves nestle at the foot of forested slopes and capture the enchanted evening

like nowhere else in Tunisia. (retrieved from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/tunisia, on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 19:49)

II. ���� Writing Assignment

Do your own research on the four names in the title (Hammamet, Tunis, Carthage and

Sidi Bou Saïd) and write their factfiles.

III. ���� Speaking activity

Think of the social uprising that has recently taken place in Tunisia. First read the text

below then have a debate on this topic summing up the main ideas and adding others.

The Arab Spring sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East began in Tunisia, setting off a

wave of political upheaval that has transformed the region. Soon after President Ben Ali fled Tunis,

mass protests in Egypt toppled the administration of Hosni Mubarak, while Yemen, Libya, Bahrain

and Syria fell victim to varying degrees of deadlock and violence. The first Arab revolution may stand

the best chance of ushering in the more open, democratic government that protesters demanded, and

in many ways, can serve as a case study for the others. Part of the credit for Tunisia's hopeful

prospects may lie with the relatively unified revolution that ousted Ben Ali. Tunisia's military and

security forces soon sided with the protesters, allying most of the country against the President and his

circle. Without support, Ben Ali could not cling to power. Tunisia's revolution has also benefited from

the presence of a highly pragmatic Islamist movement. Unlike some other groups in the region,

Tunisia's Islamists have a history of cooperating with secular parties and communicating respect for

minority and women's rights. If an active Islamist movement can indeed be integrated into a liberal

democratic system, it will happen in Tunisia. Tunisia's troubles are far from over. Many of the

economic grievances underlying the protests remain, including disparities between the coast and the

interior. In fact, the revolution may temporarily exacerbate Tunisians' economic hardship, as political

upheaval drives away the tourism money so crucial to the country's economy. The international

Working Week 6 : Sightseeing Tunisia

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community can lend a hand by forgiving some or all of Tunisia's debt, coordinating the distribution of

aid, and returning Ben Ali's frozen assets to the Tunisian people. Governments should also do what

they can to restore confidence in Tunisia as a market. (retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-abbott/tunisias-way-audio_b_859524.html, on

Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 10:52)

IV. � Listening skills Crisis Group's Robert Malley, director of the Middle East and North Africa Program, shared

his insights into Tunisia's revolution in a recent conversation. Listen on

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-abbott/tunisias-way-audio_b_859524.html and

take notes in order to share your understanding in study groups.

V. Grammar and Vocabulary

V.1. Talking about the future. Do as many exercises as you can on the following site:

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-mix/exercises. Then browse other

topics on the same site, English Grammar online for you such as Cram up, Read on and

Chill out. Also see other sites such as:

- http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplefuture.html

-http://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_contents/future-

ex.htm

- http://www.english-4u.de/grammar_exercises.htm

- http://eleaston.com/

V.2. Idioms. In order to make yourselves familiar with the use and the meaning of idioms in

English go surfing the following sites:

- http://www.idiomsite.com/

- http://www.english-at-home.com/idioms/

- http://www.learn-english-- today.com/idioms/idioms_proverbs.html

- http://www.idiomconnection.com/

- http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/

V.3. Make a word list with the words/phrases/expressions underlined in the text and put

them in different contexts.