Monastir, Tunisia
Traffic in Tunisia is free flowing. Scooters go either way in one way lanes. No helmets and cell phones abound. Bikes and scooters are at home on busy sidewalks, weaving at good speed among the pedestrians. Lane markings are suggestions only on multi-lane highways. Passing is done by edging as close as possible - it feels like within inches - to the vehicle in front and going for it. Families of at least one, sometimes two children, ride scooters with their parents - three or four to a scooter. Pick up trucks are loaded sky high with farm produce making their centre of gravity so high it looks like they would tip on a sharp corner. Sheep graze on the shoulder of highways. People ride in the back of trucks. Although crossings are liberally marked on roads, pedestrians cross with some peril - a few drivers stop and nod us across, the majority flow right on by. The secret for the pedestrian is timing and confidence. All is part of the adventure. We haven't seen one fender bender - knock on wood.
There are very few traffic lights in Tunisia. As a matter of fact, in our travels we have only seen a couple in Tunis. Instead, traffic is moderated - such as it is - by roundabouts. Sometimes only one or two in small towns. Monastir has many. Each roundabout has a unique and charmingly strange centrepiece.
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| These three roundabouts are in Monastir. This one is by one of the university campuses. Not sure what the pierced candle symbolizes but the books and pen are obvious. |
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| A puzzling one |
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| Obvious. Africa is rather large. |
I wish I'd collected more photos.
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