It is getting to that dangerous time here in Beirut. That time when any sad, slow song or question about my departure date will send me into a bit of a teary tizzy. I always have a pack of Kleenex close at hand in case of a surprise bout of sadness. Most times I don’t even… Read more
It is no secret to anyone who reads this blog that I am a big fan of Beirut. I cannot put my finger on what it is exactly but something about this city is familiar enough to make me feel at ease, but just foreign enough to make me feel alive and aware and like each… Read more
I’m not quite sure why so many Berutis turn their noses up at Saida. I’ve heard comments about it being dirty, others say its too conservative, others just roll their eyes and wonder aloud why I wanted to visit there. Maybe it is a little like people in Los Angeles who talk crap about Long Beach… Read more
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… Read more
Don’t let the name fool you. Le Gray Hotel in Beirut pops with color at every turn. I spent a sunny afternoon at the hotel enjoying a delicious lunch with the hotel’s Public Relations manager and getting a peek at what the hotel has to offer. Truly a lovely afternoon! Towels await on the pool’s lounge chairsOften… Read more
Yesterday I was faced with a Sunday of nothing to do. My plans for a trip to a local beach fell through at the last minute so I was looking at a beautiful sunny day with no plans. My new roommate threw out the idea of trying Walk Beirut – a walking tour of the city… Read more
OK – I think I may be obsessed. While I should be blown over by the ruins, beautiful architecture and natural wonders of Beirut, instead I’m secretly enthralled about the whole taxi game here. Maybe its because I hail from Los Angeles where I probably take a taxi about twice a month at best. It is… Read more
Last week I was lucky enough to have a stay at the Four Seasons here in Beirut. In my previous post I wrote about the lovely hotel and the best night sleep I’ve had since I’ve been in this city, but of course I didn’t stay locked in my room the whole time (though honestly that… Read more
I began the day in a bit of a tizzy. First a hectic, fast paced Arabic class that left my brain spinning, then emails to return, and following up on leads for a room to rent in Beirut that i need to secure by the end of the month. By the time I stepped into the… Read more
I have been in Lebanon for nearly two weeks and each day I take an average of 3 rides in a taxi. That means I’ve been in about 40 different taxis and I can safely say that I have gotten the same question from 39 of those 40 taxi drivers: “Where are you from”. Sometimes it… Read more