Visit to Tunisia requires caution
TUNIS, Tunisia — I’ve traveled to some pretty dicey places — countries with totalitarian regimes, civil unrest and higher crime rates than downtown Detroit. But the only time I considered canceling a trip over safety concerns was before a recent visit to Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.
When I booked my flights nearly a year ago, this country in northern Africa looked to be a relatively safe and fascinating destination. In 2011, Tunisia was the first domino to fall in the socalled “Arab Spring.” Its president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was ousted in a revolution and fled to Saudi Arabia. After some initial violence, the transition to a new government appeared relatively smooth.
But last September, Islamic extremists ransacked the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, causing extensive damage. Protesters also set fire to a nearby American school.
As a result of the violence, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning to American citizens and ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Tunisia.
According to the State Department’s website, “U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds and demonstrations because even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. U.S. citizens should be alert and aware of their surroundings and maintain security awareness at all times.”
Nine months after the violence, the travel warning still hasn’t been lifted. The U.S. Embassy in Tunis operates with limited staffing. Tunisia remains on the same warning list that includes Afghanistan, Syria and Somalia.
This was enough to spook my friend Henry, who was going to join me for a week in Tunisia. Even without his company, I decided to go to Tunis. I shortened the trip to just a couple of days and met up with him later in nearby Malta.
When I arrived in Tunis, I found a bustling city of more than 2 million people that appeared to be functioning fairly normally. There was a heavy military presence on the main downtown thoroughfare — Avenue Habib Bourguiba — and around government buildings.
I also saw a lot of barbed wire. In some places — particularly surrounding statues and other government monuments — the downtown resembled a POW camp. A tour guide said police put up the wire to keep large crowds first from congregating and, ultimately, rioting.
I kept my wits about me and wasn’t overly worried, but I didn’t think it prudent to advertise the fact that I’m American. Not that I walk around wearing an American flag, but people I encounter — especially in shops — often inquire about where I’m from.
I needed to have an answer on a moment’s notice. I decided to become a Romanian.
Why Romanian? Several reasons. I have a dark complexion and look like I could be Romanian. So far, international terrorists have not targeted Romanians. They aren’t known to be the richest people on the planet, so maybe I wouldn’t be gouged as much at souvenir shops. And I once lived in Moldova, a small country that neighbors Romania in which Romanian is the dominant language. If pressed, I could speak a few words of the language to help me maintain my cover.
At first, the plan seemed to be working well. Shopkeepers in the souk, or old market, are very aggressive, and it seemed as if I had to fend them off all day with a “non, merci” (Tunisia used to be a French colony, so French is widely spoken). Occasionally, I would be asked where I was from. “Romania” usually was met with a blank look, and I would be left alone to explore the narrow streets of the historic medina and souk.
But then I wanted to buy something — a fridge magnet with the flag of Tunisia (yes, it’s hokey, but something I collect from each country I visit). So I entered a shop with a large supply of suitable souvenirs and was immediately met with the inevitable question: “Where are you from, my friend?”
I was ready. “Romania,” I