Cafe De Nattes | Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Cafe de Nattes
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Dark clouds and scattered rain showers greeted us in Sidi Bou Said.  Though the wet atmosphere did not dampen the touristy spirit in anyone, it did call for something warm and soothing.  Our tour guide kept telling us about the mint tea that we shouldn't miss.  It became a little quest in my sightseeing: "Where do we get that mint tea?"   I thought it would be free from the tour-company.  Of course not.  There, at the top of the hill is a very nice looking cafe.  "Oh I don't mind that at all."

We climb up the steps of an uneven staircase and was greeted by a... well, different scene from what we usually see in our common (western, franchised) coffee shops.  Some would turn around and leave, not trusting the strange place. {Where is your sense of adventure? :p}  My first thought was "opium wars!" (Silly, I know).  A very long, intricately designed pipe, connected by a long tube to an equally unique apparatus was shared among 'friends.' Curious.  I see the smoke but I don't smell it. The place was peaceful besides the normal friendly chattering, the air was easy to breathe.  It is a tourist spot, a popular one indeed... What harm could there be?

It turned out to be very pleasant.  We took our shoes off, and sat on the elevated mats.  The tables were low, perfect height for sitting at ground level.  There was a certain thrill in watching the people and observing the decorations.  Everything around us tells us that we are in a different place.  At one corner, two gentlemen were busy in front of a stove with a huge pot of steaming-something and a metal kettle.  They were busy making tea: a dark concoction of mint and green tea leaves, delightfully sweetened and garnished with pine nuts.  We wanted some soothing warmth and we had it.

I tried to replicate this tea but something was always missing.  Could be the type of mint used... or could it be the touristy air of Sidi Bou Said and the sense of adventure?

Sidi Bou Said is a town in Northern Tunisia known for its extensive use of blue and white colors ~ White buildings with blue windows and doors.  More photos and adventures coming up...

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