Visiting Tatooine
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
The average person knows the first Star Wars movie started out on some desert somewhere. A casual fan could probably tell you the desert was a planet called Tatooine, home to Luke Skywalker and his moisture farming aunt and uncle. More dedicated fans would be quick to mention the actual, physical location of Tatooine was in Tunisia. And still is in Tunisia, as a matter of fact. But how many among us can claim to have been there, to have slept in the house of Aunt Beru and Uncle Ben Owen? Aleksandra Moorast, who is admittedly only a casual fan at best, has had the privilege, and found it to be a singularly remarkable experience. Her account was written up in The Express News, and is certainly worth the read to hear a first-hand experience trip to Tatooine.
The set remains largely intact. The strength of the constructions is aided by a group of people resembling squatters, who have taken up residence in the abodes and act as a sort of honor guard, keeping the place tidy and offering tea to the visitors. Naturally, they also collect a handful of coins from any generous visitors who come along. Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen's place has been turned back into a hotel, and the cantina continues to exist as a watering hole for the geeks of the world. If you ever manage to visit, you can add your own signature or notes to the collection of hero fanboys who have left their thoughts over the years.
[via Hollywood Wiretap]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
12-20-2006 @ 8:22PM
Gary Wilke said...
Of all the things a human could contemplate, this is truly one of the most meaningless. Like treasuring one of Napolean's snot rags.
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12-20-2006 @ 8:24PM
mj said...
How cool! I would love to stay there. I hope it has a gift shop.
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12-20-2006 @ 8:35PM
Margaret Marselas said...
That would be soooo awesome to stay there. I love star wars especially RETURN OF THE SITH. I didn't like phatom menance and havent see Attack of the clones. My Favorite was RETURN OF THE JEDI
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12-20-2006 @ 8:37PM
Jan Jelinek said...
I believe it was Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen--not Uncle Ben!!
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12-20-2006 @ 8:49PM
R.A.W. said...
Hey Gary, you are a total idiot. You are obviously not a Star Wars fan. This is a big deal to some people. Like Napolean's snot rags? You are a very intelligent person.
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12-20-2006 @ 8:51PM
Tom said...
Have stayed there. It is amazing with a lot of the same original props still intact. -no gift shop mj, sorry. Would also suggest taking a camel overnight into the Sahara from Matmata or other nearby spots. Got married there! Jan, are you Czech? If you ever take a package trip to Tunisia, you could take a louage or "taxi" to Tatouine quite easily. Tickets from Prague are reasonable at certain times of the year.
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12-20-2006 @ 8:55PM
Mike E said...
Slow News Day? I think you should read Digg.com Might get some better material to write about!
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12-20-2006 @ 9:04PM
Tim said...
I thought he lived in Minneapolis suburb.
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12-20-2006 @ 9:10PM
Scott said...
Jan is correct. It is Uncle Owen. I think Uncle Ben makes rice
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12-20-2006 @ 9:31PM
Heathansson said...
Uncle Owen says,
"git offin mah proppity, yew dang squatters! Oh, wait. I'm deceased."
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12-20-2006 @ 10:17PM
Becca said...
Uncle Ben is Peter Parker's uncle from Spider Man.
And yes as Scott said...he also makes rice.
This place sounds interesting...I like that it's taken care of in that manner. The people who say it's stupid and worthless probably had a bad experience at Universal Studios or something, and got traumatized by the rubber Jaws replica jumping up at them.
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12-20-2006 @ 10:22PM
Duch2izback said...
Gary, you're only mad because you were stuck with one of Napoleon's snotrags, instead of the unique priviledge of visiting this famous site. By the way, I love how you tried to take said snotrag to Antiques Roadshow. The ribbing the twins gave you was PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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12-20-2006 @ 10:22PM
Chris said...
The link to The Express News is not correct. It has a comma at the very end that doesn't belong there....if you delete it, it will work.
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12-20-2006 @ 10:26PM
Darth Saul said...
Is it important? Of course not. But it's fun and a neat idea for fans of the movies. I for one would not make a special trip just to go there, but if I was in Europe or Israel on vacation I just might pop by it...
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12-20-2006 @ 10:27PM
Babowika said...
I've been there!!! It is actually really cool, and the food is excellent, too, at Aunt Beru's! The locals just don't get the craze, but they love seeing foreigners who do. Lucas actually picked the spot because it is next to the only five star hotel in the country!
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12-20-2006 @ 10:56PM
Edge said...
Darth Saul, yeah while visiting such a historically significant place as Israel, I'm sure Tatouine would be the next ideal excursion for an even more important and meaningful experience.
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12-20-2006 @ 11:21PM
Jen said...
That is really neat! I saw the first movie as a kid in the theater and remember how exciting it was. Reading about this brought back some great memories. I would love to go check this place out.
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12-20-2006 @ 11:34PM
Mike said...
I would love to stay in the swamp where Yoda lived. Or how about going to the ice planet of Hoth and freezing your balls off. I would also like to get to keep Anakin's legs that are seard off by Obi Wan's light saber. That would be neat.
Instead of staying at Luke's home, why don't we get to stay at the asshole in the ground that swallowed Boba Phett?
Mike
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12-21-2006 @ 12:10AM
John said...
This world is too stressful at times. We have Disney World, Six Flags, and other theme parks. I think it is great to have the Tatooine experience available as another escape from reality. I am a Star Wars fan dating back to 1977 when it was first released, I would love to see this. It may not be in the top 10 things to do before I die, but I would still love to go there...just for kicks.
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12-21-2006 @ 12:37AM
BEN said...
What they need to do is make Star wars into a T.V. series. And have Luke turn to the darkside of the force!
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