As the daughter of first generation immigrants, it's only expected that my family values our connection with the country my parents were brought up in. For me that means a lot trips to Tunisia. Tunisia is a North African country that resembles countries in the Middle East, due to its proximity to the region. The economy there values the touristic industry, which conveniently correlates with the many beautiful locations throughout the country. The country is very ethnically diverse, but not so much so religiously. Despite all of this, Tunisia is still considered a developing country, on the premise that their government is not very stable due to their recent revolution rand the fact that the economic situations of citizens is split drastically between the rich, middle class, and the poor. However, unlike what most people believe, traveling to a developing country does not usually involve walking through dusty streets where beggars tug at you every step of the way. In fact, this couldn't be farther from the truth in the case of Tunisia. In fact, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish places in Tunisia, from places here in America (except for the fact that there are palm trees and beaches virtually everywhere). My cultural background has made me lucky enough to be able to visit the majority of the attractions there and even be able to stay at out family house there. Though some areas of the country can shed light on why Tunisia is still a developing country, this simply isn't true for the majority of the country. Just like in America there are economic zones, and as long as you're planning to spend most of your time outside of the ghettos, you'll feel like you're just at an exotic version of home. I personally believe that Tunisia is one of the best possible destinations for vacationing because of the versatility in trip options. What I love is that every city is known for a certain trade and attraction which allows you to mold your vacation around that premise. For example, Hammamat is known for its water parks, resorts, and clear beaches - a great option for family stays - while Jerba is known for its historic sites, themed hotels, and amazing cultural markets - perfect for a couple. The diversity in places and people makes for a great and mind broadening experience, which is why I recommend thinking twice before crossing off a destination based solely on the prejudice you might hold against developing countries. The most important part, like in any foreign travel, is to do your research beforehand and come up with a genral game plan. As long as you've got the knowledge about your whereabouts, you'll be guaranteed to have a splendid time during your trip
I hope you learned something new today!
Taz
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