Mouna Grissa is a cyclist who travels alone and defies the difficulties.
Mouna Grissa is a cyclist who travels alone and defies the difficulties.
Mouna Grissa
Tunisia
360graus.cat
Nalas World
TRAVEL INFO
2 years
32000 Km
North West & Center Of Tunisia
Mouna is a 32-year-old young woman whose passion for cycling made her defy fear and take her first solo trip. She has proven through her experience that the love of adventure and courage is born when you decide to discover yourself and what is around you.
INTERVIEW :
Question: Introduce yourself and how did the experience of traveling on a bike begin?
She said: I am Mouna Grissa, 32 years old, Tunisian, and an engineer in energy. Since I was little I owned a bike and when I grew up I started to move away from home and discover the neighborhoods. The passion for cycling, I say with regret, I discovered at a somewhat late age. During the period of the Corona epidemic and the quarantine in two years, I began to visit the archaeological areas and move away more and more, as it is said, the misfortunes of a people when people benefit from them.
Question: What is your goal for travel?
She said: The first goal of travel is to discover myself and the energies stored within me. What I do is an important matter that makes me on the road to travel more strong and determined. Other goals: Discover the heritage of the places I visit, their history, people, traditions and natural places…
Question: Is it easy for a female to travel alone, according to your experience?
She said: In Tunisia, when I traveled alone, people were very surprised! How can I be alone on my bike without an escort? In fact, I am not afraid. There are two things I had to talk about: First I was trying to win people’s trust on the road and I always greeted and smiled. Secondly, I try to be in a safe place before sunset to camp at night.
Question: What are the most important difficulties you faced?
She said: So far, I have not encountered any difficulty or problems, thank God. But the obsession with the fear of being intercepted is always present.
Question: Tell us about how you felt during your first solo experience?
She said: An indescribable feeling is a mixture of joy and fear, flavored with pride and self-discovery. On my first solo flight, the itinerary I had prepared in advance wasn’t easy especially as the wind and heights were against me. I discovered during my trip that when the body gets tired, the mind intervenes to stimulate the foot muscles to continue pushing forward and charging my energy.
Question: What are the most important experiences of Mouna on the bike?
She said: It was all in Tunisia, the most important trip was on my own in March 2022, I covered a distance of 514 km between North and Center, during my trip I slept at a gas station in Teboursouk. A night I spent in the hospitality of a family that hosted me in El Kef. I also spent a night in “The Ferme De Fromages” tower and a night in Jebel Serg between Oueslatia and Siliana. During my experience I discovered a lot and penetrated between the sub-roads, and this matter in itself is difficult. Another important trip in the south of Tunisia a year ago, March 2021. It was from the southwest to the southeast. It started from Gafsa twisted Jabal al-Thaljeh, Shabika, Tamghaza, Tozeur, Shatt al-Jerid, Douz, Kasr Ghilan, to Medenine. It was a trip with a nomadic bike where I learned a lot.
Question: What are your tips for someone who wants to do the same experiment?
She said: My dream is to carry my bike and travel abroad in new countries, especially Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal… I want to discover other people’s cultures and civilizations. Make friends on the road. I also want to spread the culture of cycling in my country, especially among women.
Question: What are your tips for someone who wants to do the same experiment?
She said: I advise anyone who owns a bicycle to stay away from the comfort zone as much as possible and experience the pleasure of traveling on a bicycle alone or with an escort. The most important advice is to prepare a clear path in advance, especially the sleeping places. Listen to your body during times of fatigue and enable it to have the necessary rest. The rest is easy. So, prepare yourself with the simplest equipment and go on an adventure. Most importantly, let your soul be cheerful, because it is the one who will accompany you along the journey.
Question: What is your motivational message?
She said: “Your mind should not contain the word I can’t”, difficult or impossible, just take the first step try! Even if you fall, get up and try again. You are the decision maker in success and progress in order to achieve your dream. You do not care about everything that is said around you, just live as you want to be.
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