I'm retired these days. While I worked, one aspect of that life that I both appreciated, and at times only tolerated, was travel. When I was young, I loved that part of my work life. Now as an old guy, travel can be taxing. Despite the challenge of it, I have been blessed to visit so much of this planet. One of my collateral duties at NPR was to represent the network as a board member of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA). That group seeks to represent broadcasters to the respective governments of Canada, Mexico, and the US. NABA is one regional group in the larger World Broadcast Union (WBU). On one of my last trips for work, I was representing NABA at a WBU conference in Tunis, Tunisia. I was joined on a panel by reps from some of the other regions. The event was hosted at the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU).
I had a few extra days in Tunis before the event and was able to see much of the main parts of the city including the Mediterranean coast. Getting around, interacting in multiple languages, making sense of local money and local customs, trying out food that is new to me, these are all part of the process. Perhaps the reader is familiar with this. Even if you have never left the US, chances are you’ve felt some level of culture shock when visiting other places. Going to a new place can bring about ambiguity. Thank goodness we have some help with all of this. There are others who have gone before us who can share words of wisdom. There are others who go with us who can share in the experience of the day. There is a loving Heavenly Father who can guide us through the wonderful blessing that comes from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. We also have those who love us back home, wherever that is for each of us, who pray for us and await our return.
While in Tunis, I was able to walk through some of the ruins of the city of Carthage. This place existed at the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry. If you know something of history, you may have heard of the Punic Wars. This was when Carthage was a rival to Rome. Through several wars, Rome eventually leveled Carthage and built a roman city on it’s ruins. I was able to see some of the older archeological sites of the pre-Roman and also the Roman eras. The city sits on a rise above a beautiful harbor on the southern Mediterranean, along the north coast of Africa. At the pinnacle of the city there has since been erected a large mosque. The area is also dotted with farm fields where neither ancient nor modern buildings exist. At one point I came across a shepherd tending a large sized flock of sheep, straight out of the Bible. While walking through the Roman section I was befriended by a little stray cat. They are everywhere in Tunis. This one just kept following me around until I approached the exit of the archeological site. I waved adieu and he turned back to his ancient home.
At one point I was in the Medina section of Tunis where there are many open markets. There was also a substantial protest rally in support of Palestine. The signs were quite harsh toward Israel, America, and the west in general. Despite the rhetoric, people really didn’t seem to notice me moving through the crowd even though I was obviously a westerner.
I hope we all take the time to notice what is happening around us. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Sometimes the second part is easier than the first. Hiding our light under a bushel is more comfortable, but not the mandate we have from Jesus Christ.
I had a few extra days in Tunis before the event and was able to see much of the main parts of the city including the Mediterranean coast. Getting around, interacting in multiple languages, making sense of local money and local customs, trying out food that is new to me, these are all part of the process. Perhaps the reader is familiar with this. Even if you have never left the US, chances are you’ve felt some level of culture shock when visiting other places. Going to a new place can bring about ambiguity. Thank goodness we have some help with all of this. There are others who have gone before us who can share words of wisdom. There are others who go with us who can share in the experience of the day. There is a loving Heavenly Father who can guide us through the wonderful blessing that comes from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. We also have those who love us back home, wherever that is for each of us, who pray for us and await our return.
While in Tunis, I was able to walk through some of the ruins of the city of Carthage. This place existed at the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry. If you know something of history, you may have heard of the Punic Wars. This was when Carthage was a rival to Rome. Through several wars, Rome eventually leveled Carthage and built a roman city on it’s ruins. I was able to see some of the older archeological sites of the pre-Roman and also the Roman eras. The city sits on a rise above a beautiful harbor on the southern Mediterranean, along the north coast of Africa. At the pinnacle of the city there has since been erected a large mosque. The area is also dotted with farm fields where neither ancient nor modern buildings exist. At one point I came across a shepherd tending a large sized flock of sheep, straight out of the Bible. While walking through the Roman section I was befriended by a little stray cat. They are everywhere in Tunis. This one just kept following me around until I approached the exit of the archeological site. I waved adieu and he turned back to his ancient home.
At one point I was in the Medina section of Tunis where there are many open markets. There was also a substantial protest rally in support of Palestine. The signs were quite harsh toward Israel, America, and the west in general. Despite the rhetoric, people really didn’t seem to notice me moving through the crowd even though I was obviously a westerner.
I hope we all take the time to notice what is happening around us. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Sometimes the second part is easier than the first. Hiding our light under a bushel is more comfortable, but not the mandate we have from Jesus Christ.
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