AUTHOR: Francesca Gray TITLE: A Mid-Life Adventure: part 3 DATE: 10:08 AM ----- BODY:

Part 1 Part 2 Thursday, 1st July 2004 I woke early to the sound of, crickets? And a thousand birds competing to prove who could sing the loudest. Despite the time, it was already warm and I spent a while sitting on the balcony absorbing the heat and the view. I would have liked to breakfast there. Eating the first meal of the day out of doors is one of my most favorite things to do, sadly it is rarely the right kind of weather in England. Hunger finally sent me searching for the restaurant. It seemed that most people were having a lie in. Only a few early riser were already tucking in to bacon and egg, pancakes, cereal, fruit, whatever took their fancy. Faced with so much choice, my appetite fled and I settled for half a grapefruit and a thick slice of French bread spread with butter. Delicious and fattening, but who cares? I rarely eat butter, however seeing it piled up in soft, yellow curls made it irresistible. I did not do much today. I still felt disoriented and unsure of myself. I explored the hotel, found the path that led to the beach and of course attended the Thompson 'Welcome' bash. An odd affair. Hot, crowded and over seen by two reps, it reminded me of the holiday camp I once went to as a child. There was useful information given, although the main aim seemed to be to sell the various trips on offer. We were each given a small brochure and a booking form and the impression that we had to make our choices there and then, or at least sometime that day. After giving myself a headache trying to choose where I wanted to go the most and what I could afford, I gave up and went back to my room with no decisions made. It was easier to consider the options on my own. The two day trip to the Sahara that I had most wanted to do, was out of the question at a cost of £100. Finally, I settled on two visits to historic sites and three evening outings. I am concerned that I will find the evenings difficult, this seems like a good way of making sure that I will enjoy at least three of them. The first day out is to be tomorrow. I wanted something immediate to prevent my automatic response of retreat from people and activity. I was not sure what to do with myself today. Intimidated by the hotel, daunted by so many things I have not done before. I even had to ask how to change my travelers cheques and for help in opening my safety deposit box! Although I had made sure that my mobile phone would work over here, I was unable to send text messages until this evening. I am not sure if the problem was with the service or with me. It doesn't matter now, I am reassured by contact from both MJ and TD1. Some times I am so ridiculously childish. At a loss how to respond to the simplest of things. Take my 'Admirer'. Yes, after less than 24 hours I have acquired the attention of a Tunisian man. He approached me as I returned from buying more water and struck up a conversation. It was not until he began to tell me how 'beautiful' I am and that he had noticed me 'immediately', that I realised why he was chatting with me. I had thought he was merely being friendly. A pleasant man, not a boy, but then neither am I some young girl with an absolute belief in her own allure. I am a middle-aged woman whose charms consist of being a tourist with supposedly plenty of cash and 'loose' morals. Since that first conversation, he has sent both flowers and fruit to my room. I am weak enough to allow myself to feel flattered by the unexpected attention, but also made uneasy and embarrassed by it. Especially when he asked if he could come into my room! I wish I could believe that someone were genuinely attracted to me, but despite my empty headed ways, I cannot. Dinner was enjoyable. The food, a mixture of English, French and Tunisian is varied, plentiful and good. I share my table with an elderly couple I first met at the Airport, R and M. They have been to Tunisia eleven times, spent ten weeks in this same hotel at Christmas and are founts of information and fascinating stories about both their lives and their travels. Wonderful company, they set me very much at ease. The staff, many of whom know them well, make a tremendous fuss which is lovely to see. Time to sleep. I have spent my evening sitting on the balcony with half a bottle of red wine and a good book. I can hear music from downstairs and voices, laughter. I have still not plucked up enough courage to join in so stay in my room. I cannot get enough of the view or of the warmth. I am content.

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