All of the olives

Did you know that Tunisia's economy is largely based on its export of olive oil which is then used as the base for Italian olive oil? So when you buy really expensive Italian olive oil, you'd probably do better spending your money on really fabulous Tunisian olive oil.



On way down to southern Tunisia we saw endless olive groves and we learned that olive trees can live to be 1,000 years old while a fig tree can only live to be about 15 years old. The tradition of harvesting olives dates back to the Roman Empire which had a major presence in Tunisia. We got to see one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters which was surrounded first by vendors, and then of course by olive groves!