marsa poétique // poetic la marsa

 

Rushing through La Marsa, on the way to my next appointment, I spotted these beauties: Poems in Arabic, French and English printed on banners and displayed on the fence that surrounds the park in the center of La Marsa Plage all the way from the fountain roundabout to SafSaf.

Marsa Poétique – Poetic La Marsa makes you stop for a moment to take a deep breath and inhale some culture. A welcome twist to our busy days between phones and computers!

So – get on the streets of La Marsa and read for yourself!

the market

Cracked eggs on the floor – almost slipped. Carrying peaches to the scale – no sales assistant in sight. Queuing at the cashier – a trolley being pushed into my heels. True story…!

So – supermarkets aren’t exactly my favourite place to be. What I enjoy a lot more is stopping by the market in La Marsa on a Sunday morning – and here is why:

 

Seasonal & fresh produce
Nothing better than a Sunday stew made of flavourful veggies & herbs! You take your time to pick and choose from the respectable variety of produce – and the quality usually turns out to be a lot better than what you find at the big supermarkets.

LOVING IT because you only get what’s growing on the fields – buying the season’s first fennel suddenly feels super exciting. Also, you can simply bring your own bags to the scale and avoid single-use plastic bags and stickers on your veggies.

 

The extras: Spices, olives, dried fruits, jams, cheese…
The list goes on and on. You can find a wide selection of delicious treats in the small stores or épiceries fines around the market.

LOVING IT because you find products that aren’t on the shelves of regular supermarkets and you can taste them before then buying the exact quantity you need (less waste!)

 

The flowers
For usually no more than 5-7 Dinars, I love bringing home a lovely, “kitsch-free” bouquet. Fresh flowers for a fresh week!

LOVING IT because… Well, when it comes to flowers, I’d always choose boho over Marie Antoinette – simple is beautiful. Oh, and there is nothing that says positive vibes quite like a fresh bouquet on the table – perfect for Monday mornings!

The Marché Municipal is located in the heart of La Marsa Plage – Rue El Moez (close to La Corniche and SafSaf) and open every day until 2 pm.

moroccan miracles

A few weeks ago, the Mr. and I decided to go out for some moroccan food after he went into rhapsodies about the divine flavours he had experienced during previous trips to El-Maghreb, as it is called in Arabic.

Our first idea was to book a table at the infamous El Omnia at Moevenpick Gammarth, but it turned out to be closed for summer. This turned out to be quite a fortunate coincidence, as we went to Le Safran in La Marsa instead and what can I say – it really was divine!

Le Safran comes with a takeaway counter, delivery service and a charming upstairs restaurant area that can hardly fit more than 10 guests. In other words, exactly my kind of place.

Both the service and the food were not only outstanding, but also truly Moroccan. The team and the taste invite you to dream about Marrakesh.

Distinct, exotic and heart-warming combinations of sweet and savory, such as Couscous with vegetables, caramelized onions and a hint of cinnamon, leave you with a satisfied stomach, a delighted spirit and certainly longing to return soon.

All in all, I can’t say more than this: Dinner at Le Safran, whether you’re dining in or having the tasty treasures delivered to your house, is highly recommended!

Find Le Safran on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traiteurlesafran/?fref=ts

 

 

friday find: fripe fun

Old things are great: They are unique, they tell stories and they don’t require new resources. As you can guess, I have always had a thing for street markets and vintage stores.

Here in Tunisia, “fripe”, or pre-loved items really have their space in the culture. From family to fashionista, it’s a sure thing you will find Tunisians scouring piles of clothes and accessories for their new favourite jumper or pair of shoes on a Sunday morning once in a while.

A fresh croissant in your hand, endless gems to discover, affordable prices and miles away from the tiny and overcrowded aisles at Zara – what more could you ask for?

Unless like in some German cities I have lived in, it is less of a “hip thing to do” and is more part of everyday life, which I really appreciate. I think it’s a great way not only find notable pieces that you will love, but also to save money and resources.

So – to remind you of the fripe fun, here come my favourite finds:

Gentlemen’s bag/briefcase, circa 1980s – found in Hamburg
Necklace with jade pendant – found in Hamburg
Moroccan Pouf, similar to the ones you get in the Medina of Tunis – found in Bremen
Loafers by Bally Switzerland – found in La Marsa

 

amazing autumn!

People say that September is the Monday of the year… Well, I must say I kind of like September – You still have that smile that summer put on your face (and the tan!), but at the same time you’re no longer melting away in the heat of July and August. 

And: It marks the beginning of autumn, which in Tunisia is very charming, as it lets you enjoy the last rays of sun touch your skin and allows you to be all cozy, curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea on a stormy day.

All in all, I have plenty of things to look forward to…

#1 Long walks by the beach
Barely any other people, fresh air, the endlessness of the sea and the sound of its waves have always had a magically calming effect on my thoughts. It helps me relax and replenish, leaving me totally zen and full of energy.

 

#2 Brunch with friends
Of course you can meet up for a brunch all year round, but there is nothing quite like feeling the crisp autumn air around your nose during a morning walk to your favourite brunch place only to sink into a comfortable chair a few minutes later, smelling the freshly brewed coffee and hearing all about your friends’ summer vacation.

 

#3 (Audio) Books
Nothing beats an afternoon on the sofa, wrapped up in a blanket and equipped with a cup of tea and your favourite (audio) book. Diving into a story, forgetting about the endless rain outside and simply dreaming away… Need I say more?

 

#4 Pumpkin
Because… Pumpkin! All classic in a soup, warming your heart as a curry or truly Tunisian with Couscous. A simple all-time favourite that will never fail to bring good autumn vibes to your plate and to your soul.

 

#5 Real clothes
As much as I enjoyed spending a good three months in bikinis and summer dresses, I really missed those jeans and jumpers! Can’t wait to run around in ankle boots again and throw on that extremely cozy coat.

 

#6 Bubble baths
Because they are best after a long day or walk in the cold, they let you embrace that gloomy autumn light (in fact, it makes it even more enjoyable) and they are just perfect when combined with point #3 and a cup of tea.

 

friday find: films & books at L’Agora

small update: you can now find sandals in winter on Instagram!

Sometimes a good book and a some fresh coffee are all it takes to make your day. You can find both and much more at L’Agora – cinema, café and cultural space in La Marsa.

With walls full of books & magazines, hot coffee and tempting cakes, L’Agora is a place that instantly makes you feel comfortable. You can dive into a story in one of the little corners or catch up with some friends over a brownie at one of the inviting tables outdoors.

In addition to simply being a great place to spend a relaxed, yet inspiring afternoon (I stumbled upon a late 1990s magazine on Moroccan fashion & interior design that captured my attention for a good hour), the cinema at L’Agora is also the best address when you’re up for either the latest Hollywood blockbuster or a journey into Arab cinema, with screenings of the original versions in English or Arabic (with French subtitles) as well as of the respective French versions.

If you are always up for a good cultural night, L’Agora is definitely a space to keep your eye on. They also host various events – one of them being the Urban Session, which will take place on August 4th, 2016 as part of the Festival International de Carthage and celebrates anything Urban Arts – hip hop, rap, break dance and much more!

Last but not least, special shoutout to whoever bakes the chocolate chip cookies at L’Agora – the only truly chewy and delicious cookie I found in Tunisia so far.

Follow L’Agora on Facebook and don’t forget to join sandals in winter on Facebook and Instagram!

friday find: Carpe Diem’s summer space

I have never been a fan of overly fancy nightclubs that require putting on heels, booking a table and ordering endless bottles of vodka and Red Bull. To me, a great night out needs not more than a bunch of good people, a large dance floor and great music.

Which is why Carpe Diem bar/restaurant/club, one of the most popular places to enjoy a friday night here in the northern suburbs of Tunis, quickly became my second living room when I moved to Tunisia the first time around.

Last night, its amazing outdoor space (and the base coming from their sound system) made my heart beat faster.

Carpe Diem states that it is only for good people, and that includes everyone who is up for a good time – at Carpe Diem you will find busy bees in suits with laptops as well as students, brides-to-be celebrating their last night out before their big day or tourists – it’s really just a bunch of happy people having fun and enjoying good vibes.

The outdoor space comes with enough places to sit (and in case all the benches and poufs are taken, you can always find a spot on the grass for the ultimate festival vibe), a menu that offers not only a wide selection of drinks, including their house wine and a variety of cocktails, but also some good eats, like burgers and fresh sushi, and – most importantly – a spacious dance floor that allows you to get into the good groove provided by superb DJs or live bands.

If you’re looking for some breezy buzz and happy faces all around, I definitely recommend discovering Carpe Diem’s summer residence that lets you make the most of Tunisia’s mild summer nights.

– Find Carpe Diem on Facebook and don’t forget to follow my journey! –