Libya: Tripoli – Exploring Tripoli’s Medina at Night
Most people are under impression Libya is not safe, terrorism and insecurity is everywhere and it’s suicidal to come visit. This can’t be any more WRONG! On the very first night in Tripoli I was told the best time to go see the city is in the evening – it’s Ramadan now so most people do nothing by day starving and dehydrating themselves, then feasting after sunset and then the town comes alive. The old core of the town is the medina – a maze of narrow streets (not as narrow as in Morocco or Algeria), with overhanging buildings, ornate doors, pretty windows, and hidden mosques. Seemingly every doorway is a mosque and full of praying men. The only “threat” I felt was a 6-year old kid with a toy gun who posed for a picture with his friend. Closer to midnight, cafes and coffeehouses are packed with men drinking coffee and peanut and mint tea and smoking shisha (alcohol is illegal and women are seemingly not part of this shisha smoking fun). Everybody is super friendly, welcoming, and happy there is at least one tourist finally visiting. Also, everybody reminisces about Khaddafi in the most positive way regretting his NATO-induced demise.
