As a visit into Tunis could not be avoided, I took along some stitching and my purse sketchbook. The weather was sunny and warm and the 15-minute walk to the bus stop pleasant. However, just as I approached the bus stop, Number 26 drove by--I missed it by 30 seconds. Out came the sketchbook and a ballpoint pen while I waited for the next bus.
Yup, the entrance to my town...Sketches always appear better than the dusty reality. [And don't think because of the slanted street lights that I took the photo crooked--people keep crashing into them.]
Then I attempted some of the interior of the bus...toughest thing I've ever tried--the angles were impossible to figure out as the bus jostled me up and down.
The sketchbook went back into the purse as nausea overtook me...breathe, breathe.
[I finished it at home with colored pencils. What do they say? Color hides the drawing mistakes? I'm counting on it.]
After I took care of business, I went and bought cotton fabric for the back of the Pomegranate Tree Quilt. I suppose the cost was reasonable (about $12/meter), but, for Tunisian salaries, it's excessive.
Then I went to my favorite notions store, the Tunisian version of Ali Baba's cavern, and bought 10 meters of batting so I won't have to return to Tunis for awhile.
The problem? Garbage everywhere--and this dumpster's looking relatively clean. Will garbage invade my artwork? I'm surprised we haven't been hit by an epidemic of the bubonic plague. Thoughts of Camus' La Peste (The Plague) come to mind.
And yet, across the street from the dumpster in a modest neighborhood, I spot a surprise.
A garden in a small space on the corner blooms.
Like an oasis in the desert.
Maybe there is hope...
13 comments:
I love your posts. So much said with photos and just a few words.
I am thoroughly fascinated by where you live, and really enjoyed seeing the architecture and that gorgeous little garden. It's reassuring to spot little corners of the world that give you hope, isn't it? I feel the same about the dreary suburb I live in, as well. Every day it's a tug-of-war between love and hate. . .
Wishing you many more little signs of hope.
xo
But OF COURSE there's hope...we say so and it is so! Love your sketches, your sense of humor and the light in your world.
Hi! Thanks for your visit to my blog today! And YES I am excited about Klass starting tomorrow. We are such a diverse group from all over the world. Wonderful!!! You and I have fabric and pen art in common! ;-) I look forward to your Sketch Skool contributions. These on this post are fun to see. I do like your style very much.
There is always hope, Nadia. We just have to hold onto it with all our might sometimes.
Your sketching is always so inspiring to me. Love seeing your view of your world.
I'm glad to see you are okay.
Enjoyed the post; the scenery and the beautiful garden. Yes, Nadia there is hope. Remember this verse: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
I love to see a little garden where least expected. I think between the sketching and the pictures and the fabric, you made the most of that trip.
A visit to your Ali Baba's cavern would definitely be fun!
you live in such a wild world! love the bus stop sketch!
It was nice to followed you to the big smoke, Tunis. I like that notions store. I would spent hours there! Hugs Nat
Ali Baba must be quite nimble! Thanks for sharing your photos and sketches.
I was passing through the airport in Tunis a few weeks ago... not a tourist in sight! What a shock to see that and so sad to see the garbage piling up. I hope Tunisia pulls through this phase soon. Life in Libya is pretty dismal these days - much worse than Tunisia I'm afraid... sigh... Love seeing your artwork. There is hope!
Just like life..in the midst of despair, the garden blooms. U r right on the hope thing...trying here.
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