Sousse Warnings Or Dangers

Unless you are a very experienced driver who has driven outside of Europe and north America don't even consider hiring a car and driving in Tunisia. The driving is chaotic but they understand the rules. I spent a day in a taxi and couldn't figure out who had right of way at intersections and roundabouts. Also be very, very vigilant when out walking. We witnessed the horror of two German tourists being hit by car. They were walking on the sidewalk in the middle of the afternoon in a built up area and a Libyan man lost control of his car, mounted the kerb and slammed into a wall taking the Germans with him. Tragically they died despite efforts by paramedics at the scene. I cannot stress enough how careful you need to be especially if you come from somewhere where high driving standards are the norm. The other worrying thing is that many cars drive at night without lights and crossing a busy road is made all the more dangerous. I'm not usually one to sound alarms over things like traffic but when you see people die on holiday it makes you realise how we take things like road safety for granted.

Sadly there is a lot of petty crime in Sousse. One man tried to rob me on the beach. He thrust some nuts in my hand and said try them and then said buy a packet. I got a handful of coins out of my pocket and he snatched them from me and dropped them in the sand then pretended to put them in my pocket but didn't. I threatened him and he gave me most of them back but walked away with about 4 times the value of the packet of nuts. I told the hotel reception staff to warn other guests and they went ballistic and sent their security guard down the beach to find him. When they did they confiscated all the cigarettes and other goods he was trying to sell. They said it's a big problem and gives Sousse a bad name. Pickpockets also operate in the Medina and Souks. Taxi drivers are also known for lying about the fare so fix the price beforehand.

Take care within the Medina by the souvenir shops as they can be quite intimidating and get out into the less busy alleyways and witness the daily life that goes on. Also make sure you have a map with you as you will get lost! Most of the alleys and passageways have their names in both Arabic and French so it shouldn't be hard to find where you are and where you want to go but if you do get lost then simply ask someone or try and head back to the Great Mosque and get your bearings there.

Whilst walking the medina I always say I wont get caught out, guess what, I Did
Whilst admiring the large mosque in the medina , a polite local speaks in perfect english, that the local mosque around the corner , is open and he would direct us the mosque free of charge on the way he points out various spots, on reaching the mosque he says can you make a small donation to the mosque (fair enough) after a quick tour and a couple of photographs you realise you are in a enclosed area and not sure how to get out, he then demands 10 dinars each for myself and wife and 10 dinars for himself, which is roughly £12

Decided to pay up and get to open space and safety, this is what is spoiling a wonderful country , once caught twice sly!!!!!!

watch out they hunt in pairs, whilst on the beach walking enjoying the sun, first person asks you to buy nuts, cigarettes etc, polite no thank you in english, he them shouts down the beach (English) the next guy then tries to get you to exchange english notes back into dinar,

Just be polite and a firm NO!!!! thank you , should be alright.

Near the gate on the west side of the medina (Bab el-Gharbi) is Sousse's prostitution district.

After climbing the steps from Souq el-Caid, we turned right to stay in the medina instead of walking through Bab el-Gharbi outside the old city walls. Almost immediately, locals started screaming at us and gesturing to us to go back. Of course, this made us only more curious about what the heck they were trying to keep us away from.

A few steps later, we saw the somewhat comical truth: we had wandered into Sousse's "red light" district. We also realized that the gestures were aimed mainly at the female half of our tandem...

Therefore we recommend women stay away from this part of town!

You have to keep your eyes opened and also on your back whenever you deal with finansial issues in Sousse.

-even when changing money in hotel you have to know exaclty how much you need to get as, it is not impossible that they wil try to keep some dinars for themselves

Jellyfish have soft bodies and long, stinging, poisonous tentacles that they use to catch fish. A jellyfish is 98% water. Most jellyfish have tentacles or oral arms coated with thousands of microscopic nematocysts; generally, each of these nematocyst has a "trigger" paired with a capsule containing a coiled stinging filament, as well as barbs on the exterior. There are three goals of first aid for uncomplicated jellyfish stings: prevent injury to rescuers, inactivate the nematocysts, and remove any tentacles stuck on the patient. To prevent injury to rescuers, barrier clothing should be worn. Five percent acetic acid solution (white vinegar) is the preferred method, although meat tenderizer, or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will neutralize any nematocysts that have not yet discharged into the skin. Meat tenderizer should not be left on the skin for more than 15 minutes, and none of these substances should be used in the eyes. In the case of stings on or around the eyes, the solution may be placed on a towel and dabbed around the eyes, but not in them. Salt water may also be used in case any of these compounds are not readily available, but fresh water should never be used. Rinsing the sting site with fresh water, rubbing the wound, or using alcohol, spirits, ammonia, or urine will encourage the release of venom. Once deactivated, the stinging cells must be removed. First aid providers should be careful to use gloves or another readily available barrier device to prevent personal injury, and to follow standard universal precautions. After large pieces of the jellyfish are removed, shaving cream may be applied to the area and a knife edge, safety razor, or credit card may be used to take away any remaining nematocysts.
Beyond initial first aid, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine may be used to control skin irritation .