Startup Haus and Couchsurfing in Tunis


The research of last weekend led to a Friday night event at the Startup Haus in Tunis. I researched some of the programs for young entrepreneurs in Tunisia and came across the Enpact group who is involved with the Startup Haus in Tunis. The event was a No BS talk by Mike Doherty about Key Performance Indicators in SaaS business models. Sounds serious but was a lot of fun. Some people who attended the event with me spontaneously decided to go for a drink right after the talk and invited me over to the Comptoir before I finally went couchsurfing.

If it’s the need for a lift, a guide or someone to hang out with it’s been met with a great effort to make me feel welcome and comfortable. This has been true for my first couchsurfing night in Tunisia. I didn’t want to go back to Nabeul in the middle of the night and decided to stay a night in the local community instead. My host had to work that night. After a little management and a ride around town I found myself in Riadh’s place. His two flatmates Wissem and Abbes did receive me with open doors and hearts. We had some great talks but sooner than later the night called it’s duties.

Exploring the city of Tunis

I spent the next day on a trip down and around town. My clever and curious flatmate Wissem and his friends showed me around. We visited Berges du Lac for a late breakfast, strolled through the streets of the capital and finally found our way into the Medina of Tunis. A UNESCO world heritage site that will need it’s own entry in the future. We sat down over a bunch of teas discussing the current situation of young people in Tunisia and their dreams and plans for the future. I am still amazed to learn how many well educated young people are looking for a perspective in this country. However many of them consider leaving to another country the only option for success.

My week was packed with work, a long friday night and the maze of the medina. My body called for rest. I kissed Wissem and Amira goodbye which is a part of imported French culture. It was a short walk to the station of louages which is the common and fastest mode of transportation to take one of the mini-busses back to my current hometown: Nabeul.

Louage from Nabeul to TunisCouchsurfing in Tunis. A local place.The flatmate of my host. Wissem.Streets of Tunis Kids surfing a Streetcar in Tunis In the UNESCO world heritage. The Medina of Tunis The Medina of Tunis after the rain Street musicians on the Port de France Bab el Bhar, covered in barb wire Street vendors in the Medina of Tunis Local Kiosk in the middle of the street Reflections in the streets of Tunis Art nouveau facade in the streets of Tunis Abandoned shop in the streets