Jambon et frommage crepe et ce soir

There is something unique about the setting sun here during the summer that gives the evening sky a rich cobalt density presenting an elegant backdrop for the planet Venus, the only celestial object visible shimmering like a radiant cut diamond atop the western horizon. Here in Tunis's upscale High Nasser district, traffic flows without pause all day and well into the night between high rise apartment buildings. One of these, the Residence Miramar is my home for the next three weeks. After five days in a hotel, this is not such a bad change. My new pad is six floors up and only 50 yards from my current dining position. It would not be such a bad place for a longer stay, but Leila, my polyglottal Tunisian supervisor at AMIDEAST with rarefied insouciance and grace under fire which only a woman with French blood could possess, has other plans for me in Sousse. My goal while here in Tunis is to absorb as much as possible about our program and then attempt to recreate aspects of it in the southern office. Essentially, our mission is to prepare highly motivated high school age Tunisians to attend college in the U.S. This is accomplished through academic advising, cultural acclimation, college-level preparatory English training, and assistance in obtaining financial aid among other things. Our office in Sousse has not had the staff and attention of the main office in Tunis and it is hoped that I can assist its development (Insha-Allah!) I have been most impressed with the motivation and desire these kids have. They are inspirational. I truly hope to be of use in making the Sousse branch a more valuable resource for those students who wish to study abroad and make themselves competitive in the world market. This week, I have been given the task of creating a newsletter for our students as well as to begin putting together a small collection for the Sousse academic resource library which consists of SAT prep manuals, university brochures, and other such items. AMIDEAST operates in locations throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Lee Jennings is the country director for Tunisia and Leila is his educational coordinator. The other main wing is the language and professional skills training program. Teachers prepare students to achieve fluency in English so that they may move into our program at some point if they choose. I had the opportunity to meet Lee for the first time today as he has been in the States on personal business the last week. He is a very interesting character and I look forward to getting to know him better. He has been involved in the Peace Corps and international service much of his life and has a robust and palpable, not to mention infectious, desire to make a difference in the world. Next week he has invited me out after work for a chance get acquainted. Leila is also kindly putting together a group dinner for her staff next week, and on Monday we will pay a visit to the U.S. Embassy for an introductory country briefing. Should be an exciting week. I have some pictures to post yet of my neighborhood. I will attempt to do so tomorrow. Until then, Bon soir!

DD