On the drive to and from Le Kef, you could see nomad's tents scattered in the desert. Occasionally, we stopped at scenic view points and walked through little villages - up to some old ruins, into little shops, and other breaks to stretch our legs.
My favorite sight was the morning "goat" round-up. A little girl or boy would walk through the village, stopping at each home to pick up their goats. She (or he) added them to the increasing flock - chasing after wayward goats, walked to the next home and when all goats were accounted for, herded them out to graze for the day. ...View image... A really sensible system of goat-herding since every family we saw had its own flock. In this way, everyone else was free to work in the fields.
Sheila and her flock
We reached Sbeitla through a huge triumphal arch built in 138 AD. The prosperity of this town was due to the production of olives, the staple diet of Rome's legions (I didn't know that before ). Sbeitla has been restored by archaeologists to the best of their ability. Again, this had been a crossroad for caravans moving through the Sahara. So many impressive archaeological sites in Tunisia.
There was also time for most of the group to ride the "Red Lizard Train" (once belonging to the old king) in the Selija Gorge. This little train pulled up and hordes of tourists jockeyed for places to sit. It traveled through the gorges with photo stops at the most scenic spots and then returned back. We thought it was vastly overrated and hung around, talking to others, while most of the group squashed on the train for a ride.
Checked into the Hotel Venus, Le Kef, in the newer section but walking distance from the old town. The next morning we took a walking sightseeing tour around the old part of Le Kef situated on a hillside. View image
Le Kef
Up to the Kasbah, and around its ramparts for gorgeous views, then down around the narrow streets with some time for coffee at a little cafe. The Kasbah was constructed by Arabs and rebuilt by the Turks.
Le Kef Kasbah
The tour was almost over...just a few more stops in Bulla Regia and Dougga on the way back to Tunis...
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Published by Sheila Simkin on November 19, 2006 11:11 AM
