Beirut in Pictures

Posted in Beirut| Lebanon| Photography
I just passed my one month mark here in Beirut. While I was planning on doing a whole lot of travel outside of the city, I realize I have found so much to keep me busy, entertained and in some instances, perplexed right here in Lebanon’s capital city.  
A month in and (gasp, sob) less than a month to go, I’m still happy with my decision to spend the bulk of my RTW trip here.  In the next few weeks I plan to do more traveling outside the city, but for now, I thought I’d share some of my “day in the life” photos from here in Lebanon’s capital city.  Enjoy!
One thing I love about Beirut is the constant mix of languages, cultures and religions.    
The  Mohammed al-Amin Mosque next to the St. Gorges Cathedral.
In Beirut, it is difficult to find “illegal” parking…everywhere seems to be fair game. 
Parking right in the middle of a flight of stairs. Very creative. 

I have honestly not hit up too many museumes while I’ve been here, but a stop by the National Museum is a must when you visit.

Overlooking the main hall of the National Museum

They love their terraces here in Beirut.  Your apartment may not have electricity 24 hours a day, but it will have at least two terraces so you can sit outside and (hopefully) catch a breeze off the ocean.  One thing I’ve noticed with all of these terraces is that I am almost always within the line of sight of someone in this city. Its always better to just behave because you will be seen.

I loved that all of the terraces on this building have coordinated with blue and white awnings. 

For a concrete jungle, you can still find beautiful bits of nature if you keep your eyes open. 

A waterfall of color

In Beirut you often see brand new, well maintained buildings right next to older delapidated ones. But rarely do you see them within the exact same building.

I’m really curious as to what happend here

I often pass this store along the main road which sells nothing but bananas. Yet another time when I wished I didn’t hate this fruit. But even though I’d never buy anything here, I do love the colors so I had to take a picture.

Bananas, bananas, bananas.

I pass this poor old dog everyday and the fact that he’s lifted his head off of his paws means that I caught him at the height of his “active” day.  Poor thing is old as the hills but he enjoys a relaxing life just outside a small grocery store on a busy street, and I often see him holding court over the local street cats who come by for scraps of food. I don’t know that he has much time left on this earth, but at least he’s able to take it easy in his retirement.

Everyday with out fail, this doggie wait’s outside his owner’s shop and watches the world walk by.

You can’t get a tastier or a cheaper breakfast or lunch meal than manousheh. Its kind of like a Lebanese pizza that you can top with zaatar (thyme paste), onions, tomatoes, cheese, olive oil or any number of other delicious flavors. Get it hot out of the oven, folded over and the put into a paper sack for take away.

Manousheh right out of the over

Another delicious, carb inspired treat, Kaak. Its like a bread purse that you can fill with cheese or zaatar. The few times I’ve eaten this, I’ve been full for hours.  

Kaak on wheels

The first time I came to Lebanon, I was surprised by the large Catholic presence here. I had always  assumed it was a predominately Muslim country.

Every street, road and alleyway seems to have one of these small Catholic shrines. 

Of course I’ve managed to wander into a number of cemeteries here in Beirut to snap a few photographs.  In a busy, bustling city, I find cemeteries one of the few quiet and shady places to catch your breath.

Small stone Cupid adorning one of the grave sites. 

 And less you think there isn’t any luxury in Beirut…

View from the highest pool in Beirut from the 26th Floor at the Four Season’s Beirut 

A walk along the Corniche  at sunset has its rewards…

Sun sets into the Mediterranean Sea

I can never resist a photograph of a cute street kitten at play

A street kitten near the American University of Beirut

No matter where you go in this city, you can find a scene like this. Oh, and you can hear it everywhere too…especially fun at 7:00 am on a Saturday.

You are never far from a construction site in Beirut

I went to Georgetown University and I happen to think it has a beautiful campus, but even we can’t hold a candle to this view from the American University of Beirut.

Beautiful sea views from the AUB campus to inspire your studies

One of my favorite signs found on the AUB campus.  Come on, doesn’t this sign just make you want to feed the cats?

This sign makes me want to go out and buy a bag of Tender Vittles. 

I just love the brightly painted buildings in this city.

Bright and sunny home in the Achrafiye neighborhood of Beirut

Its days like this I’m going to miss terribly when they drag me out of this country in a few weeks.

Catching the sunset from the beach in Batroun, just north of Beirut.

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3 comments… add one
  • Anonymous June 12, 2012, 4:22 pm

    Love it! I pass that doggy every day too and I always think about how I hope he is happy but that I wish someone would brush and clean his fur!!! xoxox, (kindra)

    • Nailah June 12, 2012, 6:05 pm

      I know, right?? He definitely could use a little TLC. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog, Kindra.

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