First Journey Day 10: Café Chronicles
Date: September 3, 2023
Location: Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
In Sidi Bou Said, the cliff-top village of blue-and-white shutters above the Mediterranean, I stepped into a tradition that still hums through cafés across Tunisia: storytelling over mint tea. Warm air, broken clouds, and a salt-soft breeze set the mood for a night of tales.
Mediterranean Light in a Blue-and-White Village
Today was an enlightening experience in Sidi Bou Said. The weather was warm but pleasant, with broken clouds providing occasional shade. I decided to attend a local storytelling circle, a unique and traditional form of entertainment in Tunisia. The circle was held in a quaint café adorned with intricate Tunisian tiles and filled with the aroma of freshly brewed mint tea.
Quiet Moments at a Tea Stall
As I settled in among locals and a few intrigued tourists, steam curled from glass cups, and the café’s patterned walls seemed to hum with anticipation. I let the room slow my pulse, listening for the first thread of a tale.
The Storyteller’s Circle
As I sat among locals and a few intrigued tourists, the storyteller began weaving tales that have been passed down through generations. The stories ranged from folklore and myths to historical events and moral lessons. Each tale was told with such passion and flair that I felt transported to another world. The storyteller used not just words but also his body language and voice modulation to bring the characters to life.
What struck me most was the communal atmosphere. People were so engrossed in the storytelling that it felt like a shared journey rather than a one-sided performance. The experience was not just auditory but also visual and emotional, making it a multi-sensory event.
Choosing Stillness Over Sketching
As an artist, this storytelling circle offered me a treasure trove of inspiration. Instead of sketching on the spot, I chose stillness—letting characters form in my mind while tea cooled between my hands. The richness of the culture, the depth of the characters, and the vivid imagery evoked by the stories have given me numerous ideas for my next artwork.
A City in Sync with Sea and Story
I left the café feeling not just entertained but also deeply inspired and connected to the Tunisian way of life. The village’s sea light, the cadence of the tales, and the shared attention in that small room felt perfectly in tune.
Travel Notes
- Weather: Warm with broken clouds; a soft Mediterranean breeze; sunlight and shade trading places across the café’s tilework.
- Scents: Freshly brewed mint tea with hints of sugar; a whisper of jasmine at the doorway.
- Sounds: The storyteller’s rising and falling cadence, clink of tea glasses, low conversation, and a distant gull.
- Reflection: Stories gathered everyone into a quiet circle—proof that listening can be as creative as drawing.
Continue the Journey
If this evening spoke to you, you may also enjoy yesterday’s Tunis vignette: First Journey Day 9: Moonlit Oasis.
