The Error Tribune

Enchanting & magical….. Roman cobbled streets entwined with history of many lives past and present.  As you turn the corners you can feel the sparkle of life being lived and lives long gone…

Chattering children, clattering bikes, old men chewing the fat.  A village square, the Plaça – The magnificent church of Our Angels protecting the inhabitants of such a charming and cosmopolitan village.

Set back 7 km from the Mediterranean sea this traditional Roman village seeps charm and charisma from every brick, from every cobble stone.  People come, expecting little yet experiencing everything.  They stop for a refreshment in one of the squares eateries and find themselves absorbed for hours, months or even years in the activities of the square and the people who pass through or just being whisked away into the land of Dreams… A land where Dreams can come True.

Be careful what you ask for… they say here, for the energies are potent and powerful.  Even a thought can manifest at a moments notice, at the blink of an eye at the drop of a coin.. All sorts of magic can occur.  For those who stay respect the mystery and magic of such a small, yet powerful place.  Where young and old intermingle, where death and birth rub backs – with the sound of the church bells.  A death today, tomorrow a birth – the cycle of Life so closely intertwined.

I should like to invite you further into my Home Town, into my realm – if you dare.. for you may not leave… you too, like me, may get enchanted, bewitched, bewildered and beguiled…..

TO BE CONTINUED – (if you dare…)

City Musings

Too many times, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this world, and we fail to recognize the blessings that are all around us. This is especially true when you are working, as I have been for the past eight years of my life. There is nothing better than just going home after a hard day’s work. However, in the homegoing, I sometimes fail to recognize the inherent blessing of living in the place that I live. Not everyone can say the same thing.

I’ve lived in the same place for over thirty years. I am no stranger to the city of Parañaque, and have been to many different places within it. There are places that have been influenced by the fast-paced lifestyle that comes with being a city. There are other places which seem to keep its sense of peace and sanity safe. These places struggle with maintaining their identity, and they are a dying breed in the continuous development of the city.

Am I anti-development? Of course not. The city has leapt tremendous strides since the 90s, when it was officially recognized as a city. Our present mayor, Jun Bernabe, has developed and beautified the city in a way that has never been done in the past. I feel a sense of pride in being a citizen of Parañaque. The city government continues its projects even as the national elections draw closer.

However, I relish those places within the city where I can take a deep breath and relax. In the subdivision that I live in (and have done so all my life), I am still able to go jogging in the evenings and be assured, more or less, that I will be safe. I can still go out and take my dogs for a walk without much fear. Children can still go outside and play with their friends. Ours is a relatively quiet subdivision.

Sadly, these types of places in the city are no longer numerous. Over the vast majority of the city, there are people who succumb to the high-speed lifestyle. Our city has numerous industries, like call centers, in its midst. Because we have such a fast-paced life (and I am one of these yuppies), there is often no time to take it all in, and in many instances there is no place either. There are few places which shield you from the crowd, places which are peaceful, and which you can be assured of safety and security.

I wish to go back to that time – a time where we could find numerous places in the city to relax. While that is impossible, we can still look forward to a better future. Parañaque is still in a mode of development. When this all ends, I hope the city will not only be more modernized, but that it will be the safest city in the country.

I’m sure that there are different levels of loyalty for each hometown. For example, Italians who live in Rome aren’t simply called Italians. They must be called Romans. Many cities in the world have their own unique flavor. If you don’t believe me, try walking down Manhattan and see how many New Yorkers are proud of their identity.

In the same way, I am proud of my roots. I live in the city of Parañaque, and while it isn’t as artistic a place as, say, Paris or Milan, I would rather live here than anywhere else. Maybe I am biased, but my loyalty to this place surpasses my loyalty to any other place.

There are practical reasons for this strange attachment. I have lived here all thirty years of my life. I have seen it change from a sleepy, almost countryside town into a bustling city. In the distant past, Parañaque was a fishing community. Its proximity to the shorelines of Laguna de Bay made it as such. I often try to imagine those images in my head – a fisherman’s town, with fish being dried under the sun, right on the sidestreets, for miles at a stretch.

Of course, because I was born in 1979, that scene was no longer a reality for the municipality of  Parañaque. I do remember it as a pretty serene place, still far removed from the major city it is today. Our subdivision then had very few houses, and ours was one of the first on our street. We had two or three next-door neighbors, but it wasn’t very lonely. My father’s friends lived in the same subdivision, and there were frequent gatherings between family and friends during certain times of the year.

During the 90s, though, that trend began to change, as did much of the world. Parañaque was officially and legally recognized as a city, not as the municipality it once was. The main road, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, was widened to accommodate the growing number of vehicles which caused perennial traffic problems. From two lanes, it was widened to four lanes, with an island placed in the middle. For long-time Parañaque citizens, this was quite a change and a relief, because roads didn’t have to bottleneck now that they were wider.

As a city, we have seen our share of disappointments. No city in the world is perfect, and Parañaque is no exception. However, I would more readily raise my children in this city than in any other. While we have not achieved the status of New York or Paris or Makati, we are a city in every way, and coming home to this city is something I will always look forward to at the end of each day.

Although born in Manila, I grew up in the quiet town of Los Baños, where my brother said riches were measured by pockets bulging with marbles and happiness came from transforming paper, sticks, and string into kites you flew through the spacious grounds.
Los Baños is located on the lower slopes of Mt. Makiling, along the southern shores of Laguna de Bay.  Mt. Makiling, an extinct volcano, is said to resemble Maria Makiling, a reclining woman’s figure.  Los Baños means ‘the baths’ in Spanish, and refers to the natural springs whose waters have healed many sick and hurting bodies since Spanish times. These hot springs and pools attract vacationers from both Manila and other nearby towns and cities.  Aside from pools at Baker Hall inside the University of the Philippines (U.P.), the U.P. Staff housing, Jamboree Site, City of Springs, and Montevista Resort, other more recent resorts and establishments now offer hot springs for adults and children.
Major institutions and organizations in Los Baños include education and training centers like the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the National Arts Center (NAC), the SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Philippine Raptors Center within the Makiling Rainforest Reservation, and the Philippine Center for Agricultural Research and Development (PCARDD).  These make ‘home’ for the town which has also been proclaimed a ‘science, art, and nature city.’
So much has changed since I was a child.  Townhomes, malls, boutiques, and fast food shops have replaced many a small house or sari-sari store in the vicinity.  The old market stalls at the Crossing marketplace is now a concrete two-storey structure.  Other recent points of interest include the Rizal Centenary Carillon and the Riceworld Museum at IRRI, the world’s largest museum on rice and related artifacts.
But other landmarks remain: the mysterious Alligator Lake, the century-old Immaculate Concepcion Church at the town proper, the Senior’s Social Garden inside the campus, the Natural Museum at Forestry with its extensive display of Philippine flora and fauna, the Flat Rocks popular for camping and picnics.  And there’s the curiously heart-shaped Laguna de Bay, not really a bay, but which is actually the largest lake in Southeast Asia.  The forests of Mt. Makiling with its local and exotic plants, orchids, and ferns attract hikers on its grassy footpaths.  I understand there are some species of deer, lizards, monkeys, birds and bats that inhabit the forest, which are however threatened by some local residents.  The forest reserves help to advance appreciation for science and technology, but also provide a recreational area for nature lovers.
I just woke up to a warm, sunny morning.  It’s not so quiet now, with the student dormitories in the neighborhood, and young lads and ladies up even at 12 m.n. or 5 a.m.  walking our street discussing calculus!  But to them Los Baños must be that paradise town in Laguna, where they flock to learn at the university, and bask in its natural, quiet landscape.
Los Baños: Paradise Town ng Laguna, Philippines, 490
Hindi ako ipinanganak rito, pero lumaki ako sa tahimik na bayan ng Los Baños.  Sabi ng kuya ko, ang kayamanan ay nasusukat ng mga bulsang naglalakihan sa lamang jolen, at ang kaligayahan nagmumula sa pagbabago ng papel, mga sanga, at tali para maging isang saranggolang paliliparin sa malawak na damuhan.
Ang Los Baños ay nasa mababang parte ng Mt. Makiling, sa timog na bahagi ng Laguna de Bay.     Ang Mt. Makiling, isang extinct na bulkan, ay kahawig daw ni Maria Makiling, isang diosang naka-recline.  Ang ibig sabihin ng Los Baños ay ‘mga paliguan’ sa Kastila, na tumutukoy sa natural springs na maraming napagaling na mga nananakit na katawan panahon pa ng Kastila.  Ang mga hot springs at pools na ito ay nag-aakit ng mga bakasyonista mula sa Manila at kalapit-bayan at lungsod.  Puwera pa sa pools sa Baker Hall ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (U.P.), mayroon din sa U.P. Staff Housing, Jamboree Site, City of Springs, Monte Vista Resort, at ibang mas bagong mga esbalisamentong may hot springs pang- matatanda at bata.
Sa mahahalagang institusyon at organisasyon sa Los Baños ay ang International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), ang National Arts Center (NAC), ang SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), ang Philippine Raptors Center sa Makiling Rainforest Reservation, at ang Philippine Center for Agricultural Research and Development (PCARDD). Ang mga ito ay nagiging tahanan sa bayang nataguringan ding ‘science, art, and nature city.’
Marami nang nabago mula ng bata pa ako.  Napalitan na ng townhomes, malls, boutiques, at fast food shops ang maliit na bahay o sari-sari stores sa paligid.  Ang  pamilihan sa palengke sa Crossing ay sementado nang dalawang palapag na istraktura.  Bagong atraksyon ngayon ang Rizal Centenary Carillon, at ang Riceworld sa IRRI, ang pinakamalaking museo sa buong mundo sa bigas at kaugnay na artifacts.
May mga palatandaang  nananatili: ang mahiwagang Alligator Lake, ang siglo-gulang na Immaculate Concepcion Church sa bayan, ang Senior’s Garden sa campus, ang Natural Museum sa Forestry, na may malawak na display ng Philippine flora at fauna, ang Flat Rocks na sikat pang- camping at picnic.  At naroon din ang hugis-pusong Laguna de Bay, na di tunay na bay kundi ang pinakamalaking lawa sa Southeast Asia.  Ang mga gubat ng Mt. Makiling na may mga lokal at exotic na halaman, orchids, at ferns ay patuloy na umaakit ng mga hikers.  May mga usa, lizards, mga unggoy, iba’t ibang ibon at paniking tumitira sa gubat, na threatened na rin ng ibang lokal na residente.  Tumutulong ang forest reserves ipalaganap ang pagpapahalaga sa agham at teknolohiya; nagbibigay din ng recreational area sa mga mahilig sa kalikasan.
Kagigising ko pa lang.  Di na ganoon katahimik sa bayan ko, ngayong marami nang dormitoryo sa paligid at mga kabataang gising kahit na hating-gabi o alas-singko ng madaling-araw, nag-aaral ng calculus!  Ngunit sa kanila, ang Los Banos ay naging paraisong bayan din, sa pagpasok nila sa unibersidad.  Dito sila nakakababad sa kanyang likas na tahimik na kapaligiran.

Richmond is the capital of Virginia and is teeming with historical sites, landmarks and homes. Richmond served as the capital of the confederacy during the Civil War and visitors can visit the Chimborazo Park where there are eleven different sites of battles and historical events covering 763 acres. While there, visitors can see the Chimborazo Medical Museum free of charge which stands at the same site that the Chimborazo Hospital was located during the Civil War. Civil War buffs can also check out the Museum of the Confederacy which houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts from 1961 to 1965. The Virginia Historical Society contains nine gallery exhibits which are sure to please all. The museum also houses an extensive library for Virginia historical and genealogical research. Agecroft Hall was originally built in the 15th century and is unique because it was dismantled and transported to Richmond for reconstruction in 1928. The English manor features original Tudor and Stuart artifacts and furnishings. Edgar Allan Poe was very fond of the city and lived there for a short while. To commemorate his presence in Richmond, The Edgar Allan Poe Museum has documented his life with photos and his writings and also includes several of his possessions and personal memorabilia. Meadow Farm Museum and Crump Park feature a living farm which recreates the life of a typical 1860’s middle class American family. The Valentine Museum is a great place to learn about Richmond and its history as that is the focus of this museum which features changing exhibits on Richmond culture and history. Hollywood Cemetery is famous for its residents which include James Monroe, John Tyler and several prominent confederate leaders including J.E.B. Stuart. It has been in existence since 1847 and features spectacular views of the James River and city skyline. It is also often a popular walking or jogging venue for Richmonders because of its pleasant scenery and views as well as varying terrain. Monument Avenue is known for its many large monuments honoring historical figures such as: General Robert E. Lee, General “Stonewall” Jackson, and Arthur Ashe Jr. It is also the location of the famous Ukrops Monument 10K annual event.  There are many more historical sites and museums that Richmond has to offer and these are just some of the highlights. As a local resident these are a few of the locations that I would be sure to take an out of town visitor to show the historical significance of the diverse and vibrant city!
The Valentine Museum (804)649-0711.  1015 E. Clay St.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum (804)648-5523 E. Main St.
Agecroft Hall (804)353-4241 4305 Sulgrave Rd.
The Virginia Historical Society (804)358-4901 428 N. Boulevard
Museum of the Confederacy (804)649-1861 1201 E. Clay St
Chimborazo Park Visitor’s Center (804)226-1981 3215 E. Broad St.
Meadow Farm Museum/Crump Park (804)501-5520 3400 Mountain
Hollywood Cemetery (804)648-8501 Albemarle St.
Article 2 Fun Things to do in Richmond
As the capital of Virginia, Richmond has plenty of entertaining activities for everyone. A venue that is unique to Richmond is Maymont which includes a variety of things to see for all ages. Maymont features the historical Dooley Mansion open to the public for tours, a Nature Center which houses various aquatic species native to the Richmond area, a Children’s Farm where children may feed and pet goats and visit with pigs, bunnies and donkeys. It encompasses over 100 acres of outdoor park where visitors can see black bears, red tail hawks and other species or enjoy a walk through the picturesque Italian and Japanese Gardens. Richmond is home to The Science Museum of Virginia which features impressive rotating exhibits and three floors of exploration and interactive learning. The Children’s Museum of Richmond is located next door and is a definite favorite of both parents and children alike. For NASCAR fans, be sure to catch the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at the Richmond International Raceway. Of course, no trip to Richmond would be complete without a visit to the James River which can be accessed in several various locations for swimming, white water rafting, fishing, kayaking and just sitting by and enjoying! For a complete listing of parks that offer river access as well as other outdoor activities visit: http://www.richmondgov.com/parks. For sports fans Richmond has a lot to offer from United Soccer Leagues Second Division Champions the Richmond Kickers to minor league baseball The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the AA affiliates of the San Francisco Giants. Richmond is also home to two nationally ranked college athletic teams, the NCAA finalists Virginia Commonwealth University Men’s Basketball and division champions University of Richmond Football. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens are open year round and there is always something blooming to make your visit well worthwhile. Newly added is the Children’s Area which includes enough activity and play areas to entertain the kids for hours! Richmond is conveniently located two hours away from Washington D.C., less than an hour and a half from Blue ridge Mountain hiking trails, and less than an hour from Paramount’s Kings Dominion along with other popular attractions. For more information about the many activities, sites and adventures that Richmond has to offer visit http://www.richmondgov.com/.
Maymont House and Park: (804)358-7166  1700 Hampton St
Science Museum of Virginia (804)864-1400 or  800.659.1727 2500 West Broad St.
Children’s Museum of Richmond (804)474-7000  2626 West Broad St
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens 804-262-9887  1800 Lakeside Avenue

My Hometown

Weekly visits to the farm, reunions with cousins, the fiesta– all of these are what come to mind whenever I remember my hometown. Not so long ago, I was back in my hometown after several years of being away and I found out that there were a number of changes that happened while I was gone. The city is actually becoming to bustling, businesses were sprouting all over the place, the mall that everyone has been anticipating for the longest time is finally open and the population seemed to have increased overnight – well probably not overnight, but it appeared that there were more people here than before.
I remember when we were young our grandfather used to bring us to the farm to breathe in the fresh air and get to know the people there. Although the city back then was not as polluted as the bigger cities in the country, the farm was something not typical for someone who is used to life in the big city. Anyway, riding on our grandfather’s trusty, old AUV – a green Toyota Tamaraw, me, my brothers and of course our cousins with soak in the sights of country life. Every now and then we would pass people whom we figured were friends of our grandfather, some of them would even hitch a ride on the AUV if they were going in the same direction as we were. These people would even comment that we were already grown up, with us not knowing who they were, well these were friends of our grandfather and everybody know everyone else in my hometown. Once we got to the farm, our grandfather would tell us to go to the hut in the middle of the rice field. This hut was used by the farmers take a breather and their lunch after working in the farm all morning. In the hut we found a huge glass bottle with an orange colored liquid, it was actually ‘tuba’ or coconut wine, a very mild liquor made from the juice from the coconut. We ended up drinking a glass each of the sweet liquid that was more of a juice rather than wine. While at the farm, we would spend most of our time in the hut taking in the sights that we only get to see when we go back to our hometown.
Another thing that I love about my hometown is the fiesta. Our country is known to have a fiesta or a celebration for just about every day of the year. And in our hometown our fiesta is held on the 19th day of May. During this time of the year, our family has a reunion at the house of our grandparents in my hometown. We are usually roused from our sleep early in the morning not by our parents telling us to eat breakfast already or our grandmother telling us to help out in preparing the table for the fiesta, instead we wake up early in the morning to the squeals of pigs that were to be the main dish for the celebration later on in the day. A fiesta is never a fiesta without ‘lechon’ or suckling pig. It is the centerpiece of the buffet table and is usually the first one to get consumed during the celebration. This is the reason why during our family’s celebration of the annual fiesta in our hometown, our grandfather usually has two pigs prepared for the celebration.

These are just some of my memories of the place where I come from and where I will go to each year during the summer, this is my hometown.
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Ang Akong Lugar’n Natawhan

Adto sa umahan kada semana, pag-abot sa mga ig-agaw, ang pista – kaning tanang mosulod sa akong huna-huna kung hinumdumon nako ang akong lugar’n natawhan. Sa dili pa dugay na panahon, nakauli ko sa lugar’n natawhan nako pagkahuman sa pipila ka tuig na walay uli-uli ug nabantayan nako na daghan nausab sa lugar labon wala pa ko ka-uli didto. Ang siyudad nahimong aktibo, daghang negosyo niabli, ang dakong tindahan na gipaabot sa tanang tao niabli na gyud ug morag nianam kadaghan ang sa usa ka gabii – aww, basin dili lang isa ka gabii, pero morag nidaghan lang ug kalit ang tao didto komparar sa niadto.

Nakahinumdom ko kadtong bata pa mi na dad-on mi sa among lolo adto sa umahan para makaginhawa ug presko na hangin ug mag-ilaila sa mga tao didto. Bisan dili pa kaayo hugaw sa siyudad kaniadto komparar sa mga dagko sa siyudad, dili man gud ang maong naandam sa taong nidako sa siyudad ang moadto sa darohan. Sabagay, labon nagsakay mi sa daan pero sinaligang AUV – usa ka lunhaw na Toyota Tamaraw, ako, akong mga igsoon ug among mga ig-agaw mosurop sa mga lain-laing makit-ian sa kinabuhi sa bukid. Panagsa maagian namo ang mga tao na sa among pagtuo mga amigo sa among lolo, ang uban nila mosakay sad sa AUV kung pareho mi ug padulngan. Kaning mga tawhana mosulti sab usahay na dagko na daw mi bisan pa wala mi kaila nila, pero amigo man sila ni lolo unya ang tanan tao diri sa akong lugar’n natawhan mag-ilhanay ra sad tanan. Pag-abot namo sa darohan, sulti-an mi sa among lolo na moadto sa payag naa sa tunga-tunga sa humayan. Dinhi sa payag mopahuway ug mangaon ug paniudto ang mga mag-uuma human ug grabeng trabaho sa buntag. Sa sulod sa payag, nakit-an namo ang isa ka dakong sudlanan    na bildo na naay likido na morag maraag ang kolor, mao man diay ni ang tuba o bino na gikan sa lubi, isa ka dili isog na imnunon na gikuha sa duga sa lubi. Wa magdugay nakatilaw gyud mi ani ug tagsa ka baso sa tam-ison na likido pero dili man hinuon siya morag bino pag-inom namo. Labon naa mi didto sa darohan, adto mi magtambay sa payag ug tan-aw sa mga butang na makit-an ra namo kung mouli mi diri sa lugar’n natawhan namo.

Lain pang butang na akong ganahan sa akong lugar’n natawhan ka yang pista. Ang among nasud ilado sa mga pista o kasaulogan na mahitabo hapit kada adlaw sa tuig. Ang pista sa akong lugar’n natawhan kay kada 19 sa Mayo. Unya kaning panahona sa tuig mag-abot-abot ang among pamilya sa balay sa among apohan diri sa akong lugar’n natwahan. Kasagaran makamata mi sayo sa buntag dili tungod kay gipukaw mi sa among ginikanan aron mamahaw na o patabangin mi pag-andam sa lamesa para sa pista sa among lola, pero makamata mi tungod sa igik sa mga baboy na maoy punoang putahe sa kasaulogan unya. Ang pista dili pista kung walay litson or lechon. Mao ni ang naa sa tunga sa lamesa sa pista ug maoy dugokan sa mga tao inig kaon sa kasaulogan. Mao ni ang rason ngano ang kasaulogna sa among pamilya inig pista dini, ang among lolo mag-andam ug duha ka baboy para sa kasaulogan.

Mao ni ang pipila sa akong mahihumduman sa lugar na asa ko nigikan ug asa ko moadto kada tuig inig berano, mao ni ang akong lugar’n natwahan.

Whakatane – Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Whakatane is a picturesque river/seaside town nestled in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Surrounded by native bushland, plains, rivers and the Pacific Ocean, Whakatane is the place if you want to be immersed in natural beauty.
Whether you are the active type or more relaxed, Whakatane has it all. There are plenty of bushwalking tracks if you enjoy hiking, or if you just want to relax, spend time soaking the warm sun at the beautiful sandy pristine beaches spread 54 kilometres along the coastline that spreads from Otamarakau in the west, to Ohiwa in the east.
The Whakatane District has a friendly population of 32,814, the largest urban area Whakatane, has a population of 15,024. Nearby Ohope has a population of 2,760, with other smaller settlements in the rural areas making up the rest of the population.
Whakatane is an hour’s drive to two major cities, Tauranga on the west coast and the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua to the west inland. It is also only a 3.5 hour drive to Auckland and Hawkes Bay and 2.5 hours from Gisborne, Hamilton and Taupo. This puts Whakatane within relatively easy reach of about 50% of New Zealand’s population.
Natural resources in Whakatane are easy to come by. The region is rich in forestry resources and has some of the country’s best dairy farms, along with a large dairy processing plant located at Edgecumbe. The fertile soil of the district supports a variety of horticultural activities including market gardens, apple and kiwifruit orchards and flower growing. Bottling water from the unspoiled streams in Whakatane for export is an emerging industry.  Kaimoana or seafood is in abundance. From trout and kina (sea urchins), to paua (abalone) and snapper, Whakatane is a truly self sufficient piece of paradise.
Whakatane is abundant in culture and history. There are Kapa Haka (cultural) performances all year round, even from children as young as 2 years old who attend Kohanga Reo (Maori Kindergarten). Most schools in Whakatane compete in regional and national Kapa Haka competitions and are ranked very well in these.  The predominant iwi (tribes) in Whakatane are Ngati Awa and Tuhoe.
History of how Whakatane got its name:
Following the directions of his father, Irakewa, the Captain Toroa, his brothers Puhi and Taneatua, sister Muriwai, son Ruaihona, daughter Wairaka and other members of his family sailed to Kakahoroa, mooring in the river estuary near the town’s current commercial centre. The men then climbed the hillside to Kapu-te-rangi, leaving  the Mataatua waka (canoe) in the care of the small group consisting mainly of women. The outgoing tide was threatening to carry away the waka when Wairaka exclaimed: “E! Kia whakatane au i ahau” (let me act the part of a man). In breach of tradition, the women paddled the canoe back to safety and from this incident, Whakatane received its name.
Phillipa Wirangi

Ma ville c’est Menzel Jemil situé au nord de la Tunisie à une vingtaine de kilomètre de cap blanc qui représente le dernier point nord  de l’Afrique .Menzel Jemil une ville située à 60 kilomètres au nord de Tunis , dans l’agglomération de Bizerte, sur la rive nord du lac de Bizerte. Rattachée au gouvernorat de Bizerte,et  situé à 5 kilomètre du centre ville de Bizerte, elle constitue une municipalité d’environ 20 000 habitants.

Menzel Jemil est une ville côtières, on y découvre beaucoup d’endroit naturel  notamment la forêt du rimel qui s’étant sur la moitié de l’autoroute qui relie Bizerte a la capital Tunis. Cette foret de pins s’étant au long de la coté de la plage méditerranéen de même nom. La belle plage du Rimel  qui attire des milliers de baigneur l’été. Autre la forêt et la plage Rimel on trouve le lac de Bizerte sur l’ouest de Menzel Jemil. Il communique avec la mer Méditerranée par un canal de 7 kilomètres et est relié au lac Ichkeul par le canal aussi. Le lac s’étend sur 120 km² et a une profondeur moyenne de 7 mètres pouvant atteindre 12 mètres. Le lac est exploité par la pèche, l’élevage de huitre et de moule et l’aquaculture ce qui fait que Menzel Jemil est connu dans toute la Tunisie par ses produits marin au bon gout comme la sole et la daurade.

La ville de Menzel Jemil  se caractérise économiquement par l’importance de l’industrie qui emploie près de 40% de la active. Avec une zone industrielle employant prés de 8000 personne avec  une industrie diversifiée. Le groupe Tunisien Onetech est installé dans la zone avec principalement l’entreprise de production de carte électronique Fuba.

En outre l’industrie l’agriculture joue un  rôle très important dans l’économie de la ville. Grace à un climat méditerranéen humide on y trouve des cultures de maraîchers diversifiés des implantations d’arbres fruitier tel que les figuiers, les pommiers… Ou trouve aussi quelques forêt d’oliviers une large culture de blé et production animale et laitière .le seul inconvénient et que cette  l’agriculture et dans la majorité des cas se pratique avec des moyen ancestral malgré le début d’une modernisation qui  commence à ce développer petit a petit.

La religion des Jimiliens  habitant de Menzel Jemil est la religion musulmane plusieurs mosquée se trouvé a la ville notamment a plus ancienne  « Abous sahnoun »  datant du 14ème siècle.

Menzel Jemil a donné naissance à plusieurs personnages célèbres dans le domaine politique sportif et autres citant par exemple Ali Boumnijel le gardien de but célèbre de l’équipe de Tunisie qui est originaire de Menzel Jemil.

Menzel Jemil ma ville je l’adore je prends plaisir à y vivre avec son rythme er son charme tunisien.

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My home town is Menzel Jemil located at the north of Tunisia attached to the governorate of Bizerte. Located 5 kilometers from Bizerte city, Menzel Jemil is a municipality of about 20 000 inhabitants.

Menzel Jemil is a coastal city, we can find on it many interesting natural place and a beautiful landscape. We find in the east of and over the cost Rimel forest; a pin forest that stretches over an important area until the half of the. The Rimel beach has same name of the forest is a beach of sand extends for several kilometres which make happiness of bathers and walkers from all sides.

Other the forest we find in Menzel Jemil a lake: the lake of Bizerte. This lake communicates with the Mediterranean Sea by a canal of 7 kilometers and it is connected to Lake Ichkel with a cannel too. The lake covers 120 km2 and has average depth of 7 meters up to 12 meters.

So Menzel Jemil is known throughout Tunisia by delicious and good fish and mussel thanks too fisher man how work in the lake and others how work in the Mediterranean Sea.

Menzel Jemil is characterized by economically important industry that employs nearly 40% of active population. The industrial area employs about 8000 persons with different industrial sector such as technology, pharmaceutical…. The industrial Tunisian group Onethech is installed in the area with many factories such as Fuba which employ about 500 person and product electronic cards.

In addition the agriculture takes the second place in the economy of the city.
Vegetable corps is the principal agriculture activity thanks to a humid climate .furthermore settlement of fruit trees such as fig apples. Wheat crop, animal production and diary. But this agriculture is done with as the old way despite the start of modernization that began to develop.

Many famous personalities were born and lived in Menzel Jemil like Ali Boumnijel the goal keeper of Tunisia football team.
I love my home town Menzel Jemil it is a fantastic place wonderful in which I take pleasure in life so long life to my home town.

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مدينتي هي منزل جميل مدينة تقع شمال البلاد التونسية على بعد بضعة كيلومترات من الرأس الأبيض آخر نقطة في إفريقيا .مدينة منزل جميل تبعد ستون كيلومترا عن العاصمة تونس وخمس كيلومترات على مدينة بنزرت .يتراوح عدد سكان منزل جميل عشرين ألف ساكن و هي منطقة بلدية .
مدينة منزل جميل مدينة ساحلية تتميز بمناظر طبيعية خلابة مثل غابة الرمال التي تمتد من على مساحة شاسعة شرق المدينة و شاطئ الرمال الذي يمثل قبلة المصطافين خلال فصل الصيف .أم غرب مدينتي فنجد بحيرة بنزرت التي تمتد على 120 كم مربع ترتبط بالبحر عبر قناة تمتد على 7 كم كما أن البحيرة ترتبط ببحيرة إشكل عبر قناة ثانية و .يتراوح عمق البحيرة بين 7 و 12 أمتار .وجود البحيرة و البحر جعل مدينة منزل جميل معروفة بجودة أسماكها ة ازدهار الصيد فيها.
يرتكز اقتصاد المدينة على الصناعة بنسبة 40 في المئة حيث إن المنطقة الصناعية تشغل8000 شخص و تحتوي على شركات تونسية و أجنبية نذكر منها مجمع “وان تاك” التونسي .كما أن الفلاحة مزدهرة بالمنطقة نظرا لتوفر الموارد المائية فزراعة الخضراوات بأراضي الجهة ممتازة و كدالك غارسة الأشجار المثمرة و الزياتين .
مدينة منزل جميل عرفت عديد الشخصيات البارزة التي ولدت و ترعرعت بها منها شخصيات سياسية و أخرى رياضية و أخرى ثقافية و أخرى علمية نذكر منها حارس المنتخب التونسي علي بو منيجل الذي ولد و عاش بمنزل جميل .
إني أعشق مديني و أتمتع بالعيش فيها و أستمتع بطابعها التونسي الجميل.

La Tunisie est un pays arabe situé au nord Afrique, sa capitale est Tunis, entourée par la méditerranée,  l’Algérie et enfin la Libye, elle contient 10 486 339 habitants sur une superficie est de 163,610 m2, son religion est l’islam.

La Tunisie est un pays francophone, qui a eu son indépendance en 1956, depuis cette date elle a été gouvernée par deux présidents.

La Tunisie a été un carrefour de civilisations et sa culture reflète les traces des cultures punique, arabe, turque, africaine, européenne et musulmane ainsi que l’influence des dynasties successives qui ont régné sur le pays

La Tunisie est connue par le secteur de tourisme. Elle contient les plus belles  villes  de l’Afrique : Tozeur, Hammamet, Tabarka…. les revenus les plus important de la Tunisie sont les olives et les dattes.

L’histoire de la Tunisie est notée par des grands événements citons : 
depuis la préhistoire la Tunisie était peuplée par les Berbères, la fondation de Carthage, l’ère arabo-musulmane, le Protectorat français, et enfin l’indépendance

La cuisine tunisienne est essentiellement basée sur les légumes, la viande de mouton et de bœuf, le poisson et les pâtes, le plat le plus consommé reste sans doute les pâtes et en particulier les spaghettis et macaronis servis généralement avec de la sauce tomate et de l’harissa, même si le plat traditionnel reste le couscous.

Au niveau national, c’est la Jebba qui s’est imposée comme habit traditionnel.

Le sport en Tunisie est marqué par la domination du football, tant en termes de couverture médiatique qu’en termes de succès populaire.

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Tunisia is an Arab country located in North Africa, its capital is Tunis, surrounded by the Mediterranean, Algeria and Libya finally, it contains 10 486 339 inhabitants over a surface area of 163.610 m2, its religion is Islam. 
     
      Tunisia is a Francophone country, which gained its independence in 1956, since then it has been governed by two presidents. 
    
      Tunisia has been a crossroads of civilizations and culture reflects the traces of cultures Punic, Arabic, Turkish, African, European and Muslim as well as the influence of successive dynasties that have ruled the country 
    
       Tunisia is known by the tourism sector which is the site’s most beautiful cities in Africa: Tozeur, Hammamet Tabarka …, the largest revenue of Tunisia are olives and dates. 
     
       The history of Tunisia is marked by major events include: 
since prehistoric times Tunisia was inhabited by the Berbers, the foundation of Carthage, the Arab-Muslim era, the French Protectorate, and finally independence 

        Tunisian cuisine is based mainly on vegetables, mutton and beef, fish and pasta, the dish is most probably consumed pasta and especially the macaroni and spaghetti usually served with tomato sauce and harissa, even if the traditional dish is couscous. 

         At national level, the Jebba which has become traditional dress. 

         Sport in Tunisia is marked by the dominance of football, both in terms of media coverage in terms of popular success.

————

Tunisia is an Arab country located in North Africa, its capital is Tunis, surrounded by the Mediterranean, Algeria and Libya finally, it contains 10 486 339 inhabitants over a surface area of 163.610 m2, its religion is Islam. 
     
      Tunisia is a Francophone country, which gained its independence in 1956, since then it has been governed by two presidents. 
    
      Tunisia has been a crossroads of civilizations and culture reflects the traces of cultures Punic, Arabic, Turkish, African, European and Muslim as well as the influence of successive dynasties that have ruled the country 
    
       Tunisia is known by the tourism sector which is the site’s most beautiful cities in Africa: Tozeur, Hammamet Tabarka …, the largest revenue of Tunisia are olives and dates. 
     
       The history of Tunisia is marked by major events include: 
since prehistoric times Tunisia was inhabited by the Berbers, the foundation of Carthage, the Arab-Muslim era, the French Protectorate, and finally independence 

        Tunisian cuisine is based mainly on vegetables, mutton and beef, fish and pasta, the dish is most probably consumed pasta and especially the macaroni and spaghetti usually served with tomato sauce and harissa, even if the traditional dish is couscous. 

         At national level, the Jebba which has become traditional dress. 

         Sport in Tunisia is marked by the dominance of football, both in terms of media coverage in terms of popular success.

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