"Pearl of the Sahara" Sousse is one of Tunisia's best feline paradises

Tunisia's leading Mediterranean-facing3The city of Sousse.
It is famous as one of Tunisia's top beach resorts with a pleasant sea breeze.
The history of Sousse is very ancient, dating back to before the Common Era, and you can feel the traces of that time in various places.
Among them, the Medina (old town), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-see spot.
Let's explore the maze filled with exotic charm!

Sousse in the Medina

What is Medina? It was once a base for battles and is surrounded by walls for defense.

Inside, narrow paths intricately weave through, with buildings related to commerce, economy, religion, and various other elements densely packed.
The particularly bustling commercial area is called the souk (market), where everything from restaurants and cafes to spices, sweets, sundries, crafts, clothes, souvenirs, second-hand items, and more are sold.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there's nothing you can't find in the souk.
The souk, bustling with locals and tourists, offers a great opportunity to experience the energy of the people, unique culture, and traditional crafts just by strolling through.

Fragrances make great souvenirs from your trip

 Before you start exploring, blow your nose and sharpen your sense of smell!
In such places, scents are also part of the enjoyment.
Food, incense, spices, sweets, sewage, garbage, animal smells, and more.

What seems like a delicious smell might turn into a sour, unique aroma, or a strong odor that makes you grimace; with each step, your nose is stimulated by both good and bad scents.
Unique 'scents' that you can't smell in Japan also become part of your travel memories.
And as a repeat visitor to Africa, smelling these scents brings a deep sense of returning to Africa.

Blue and white and cat

 When you take a side street from Sousse, a very photogenic world unfolds.
It becomes an alley with a beautiful contrast of blue and white, comparable to Chefchaouen in Morocco.

And what's different from Morocco is the abundance of cats!

Cats sleeping, cats walking, cats fighting.
Bold cats, cats charming with cute gestures, newborn cats.
A cat paradise!

And the cats become models without even needing to be asked.
50Among the many shots I took, this is my favorite one.

The ornate, vibrant blue door and the expression of the cat sleeping comfortably are wonderful.
When I passed this way once, I thought it would be nice if there was a cat here, and when I passed again a few hours later, it was waiting for me.
I also visited the Medinas of Tunis and Kairouan, which are also UNESCO World Heritage sites, but Sousse was particularly beautiful and had a wealth of models.

Please note that most of the alleys are residential areas, so be careful when taking photos.
Also, let's pay close attention to the fact that a sparse crowd can easily lead to a dangerous situation.

 Sousse, the pearl of the Sahel

In places like this, it's common to be approached with bothersome questions once it's clear you're a tourist.
However, in Sousse, there were hardly any annoying touts, and once you said 'no,' they would back off immediately, making it very easy to walk around.
There was absolutely no instance of being cheated out of money.

Rather, it was a very welcoming town where people often greeted you kindly or asked, 'Where are you from?'
Sousse, known as the 'Pearl of the Sahel,' truly lived up to its name with its beautiful scenery, culture, and the pure-heartedness of its people.