Nabeul, Tunisia 2001
| The Qrendi Scout Group have now returned
from a 15-day international camp at Nabeul Tunisia held between 8 and
22 July, that formed part of a reciprocal scouting exchange with Tunisia’s
Nabeul Ouest Scout Troop.
Settling down at their base, the group was officially
welcomed at Nabeul by the municipal president Dr Sidhom Moncef at his
office. Dr Moncef spoke at length about the historic and cultural similarity
of our two countries while at the same instance comparing traditions and
language. Bichiour Radhi, the Oued Souhil area delegate at the municipality,
also found time to visit the group at its base. Describing his admiration
for the people of Malta and his joy that the group chose his locality
as their camp.
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The small town of Beni-Khiar was the first scout base
visited by the group. Welcomed at the group’s headquarters by
group scout leader Zuhuar Belhudi and his scout leaders the Maltese
were given the opportunity to visit and view traditional cloth weaving,
pottery and masonry works. Following a tour of their coastline aboard
a brigantine, the group was treated to an “Arabian style”
dinner followed by the playing and the singing of traditional scouting
songs and chants.
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| It was the turn of the town of Tazarka
next. Here the president and members of its municipality joined by its
scout group welcomed the Qrendi Group. Following a warm reception at the
town hall, where the nation’s award for being the cleanest town
in Tunisia is proudly displayed, the group with the Tunisian scouts singing
scouting songs, paraded around the town’s main streets to the delight
of all its inhabitants.
At Menzel Bou Zelfa the same warm welcome was given to
the Qrendi scouts by the municipality, who provided a Tunisia scout band
consisting of members in their national costumes and playing skin clad
drums and hand made pipes. A spectacular exhibition of Tunisian dancing
by one of the senior members followed. During this event the Maltese were
also given an opportunity to learn some of the steps. |
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Cultural and historic visits to the towns of Kelibia, Korba, El Haouria,
Soliman, Grombalia, Korbous, Sousse. Hammamet, Monastier, Sfax, Gabes
and Nianou together with the Bardo Museum at Tunis were also organized.
However the highlight of the group’s Tunisian experience was a
two-day trip to the Sahara desert towns of El Jem, Gafsa and Touzer
despite an average temperature of 55oC.
One of the first sites that the Qrendi scouts visited was the city
of El Jem that boasts of a great Coliseum, almost as big as the one
of Rome. Travelling to Chebika and Mides on a day’s “off
road” safari in four by four air-conditioned Toyota jeeps, the
group was given the opportunity to roam the visit the spectacular sand
dunes of the area. Later in the day the scouts relaxed in the refreshing
water of the numerous water falls of the Oasis, which are very abundant
in this area, located in the region of the Atlas Mountain barely 12
kilometres away from the Algerian border.
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Towards the end of their stay, the group was visited by the Maltese education
Minister, Dr, Louis Galea who was at the time in Tunisia on official government
duties. Following a reception held in honour of the Maltese Ministerial Delegation,
and the exchange of mementos, the delegation left to continue its official duties
in Tunisia.
The last day in Nabeul was highlighted by a farewell dinner held in honour
of the Maltese group, where the leaders and members of the Nabeul Ouest scout
group expressed their sadness that the Maltese would soon be returning to their
country. The Maltese scouts thanked personally the group scout leader Attia
Sahbi, and scout leaders Sadok and Mongia Mechaal, Bechir el Aouni, Hamadi Jemaa,
Handa Jenaa, Souraya Attia, Mohammed Bedei, Anchoir and Moez Harigua for all
their dedication and assistance in making the group’s Tunisian experience
so memorable.
I as group leader expressed my satisfaction at the warm hospitality that the
Tunisian people showed our group at every place we visited, while praising Nabeul
Ouest scouts for having prepared such a great programme. We also took the opportunity
to wish scout leader Attia Sahbi, “many happy returns” on the occasion
of his birthday, which happened to fall that very same day.
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Scout Manuel Bustill tries
his hand at Falconry, an acient hunting tradition in Tunisia.
A spectular show presented by the
Associoation of Falconary of Kelibia. A special show of skill by bird
and trainer was made available through the efforts of the Kelibia Scout
Group of Tunisia.
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| Female Scout Marzia Caruana
manages to find a ‘two seater” donkey that came complete with
“Riding Instructor”.
While the look on the “learner” expressed her
anxieity, the donkey is taking all in a days work.
The “Training grounds” being at Mides, a site
in one of the many Oasis, which are very abundant in this area, located
in the region of the Atlas Mountain barely 12 kilometres away from the
Algerian border.
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