Back in the Motherland

       It's been 4 days since I've been back in Beirut.  Trying to get internet here is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  Once you DO get internet, have fun trying to find a decent connection.  I have to place the computer in a specific spot to get full bars (just like I did in Saudi, on the edge of my bed rotated at a 20 degree angle to the door lol).  Oh well, c'est la vie.  Its good to be back here!  The weather is definitely cooler than in August.  Beirut wasn't humid at all, there was a beautiful summer breeze.  I'm currently in the South of Lebanon, and I have to say the scenery here is beyond words. 

Yesterday afternoon we took a trip down the valley to a cute little cafe near the river.  They serve coffee and freshly pressed juices and ofcourse the customary sheesha!  I ordered a "laymoonada" which is arabic for lemonade.  I ended up with a fresh orange juice, but it was so good I couldn't complain that it wasn't actually lemonade.  I don't know how they do it here, but the fresh orange juice tastes spectacular, no matter if they're not in season.  I suppose its always the little places that hold the largest gems.  

        Again, I was surprised at how much I had missed small places like this.  Its a completely different world!  No one speaks English in the South, just Arabic and French if you're lucky.  The subject of conversation is always about politics, family gossip or what someone nearby is wearing/doing/saying.  Life is simple here.  You wake up, go to work, come home, eat and go to sleep.  The older generation have no idea what the hell internet is and what the outside world holds.  Just yesterday my grandmother's cousin was talking about how the younger generation go out "almost naked" and smoke sheesha all day, young girls smoking cigarettes as young as 13.  All I could think was, "That's it?" Come to North America and people actually ARE naked, and some 13 year olds are losing their virginity, doing drugs.  Like I said life here is simple as it gets. 

       I've been trying to start my plans for the trip I want to take around the country.  Since I'm in the South I can visit Tyr which is about 40 minutes away from where I am. I'm just waiting for the weather to get a little cooler.  It's still a little hot during the day.  As I visit places I'll post my thoughts and pictures here.  If I happen to find places I didn't originally have on my list, I'll add them to my map!  On the flight over there was an article about all the fun things to do in Lebanon, such as paragliding, RVing, having dinner in a glass restaurant 50 meters above ground. It truly is great here!

Happy Tuesday! 

Heading back "home" soon

I don't know if many of you know this but I'm originally Lebanese. So Lebanon is considered home, although I only visit once a year during the summer. I'll be honest. I don't know my own country very well, and as a child you don't really consider the value of something like that. I'm twenty-two now, and I feel like its more important than ever to understand for myself where I come from, what history my beautiful, albeit small, country holds.

As a result, I'm planning a trip around Lebanon in the 3 weeks I'll be there from mid September to mid October. I KNOW Lebanon has a million and one things to offer, from great nightlife, to beautiful beaches, huge mountains, high waterfalls, amazing cuisine and of course the people. I was once told it was the only place you could go to the beach and ski in the same day. I wonder if you really can. Anyone done it before?

Well anyways, here is what I plan on doing and seeing. Hopefully.

Jeita Grotto Caves:

I think this should be one of the seven wonders of the world. What a beautiful place. Famous for its stalagmites and stalactites, this cave is approximately 7000 meters deep. Of course I visited as a child, but its definitely got to be a different experience as an adult. More info on them here.

I'm baaack!

Hello Helloooo,

I'm back from a long hiatus from the blogging world. I must say my fingers missed typing out long, random, pointless posts everyday! My fingers and I are back, and we have MUCH to discuss. Firstly, I have to say that I'm currently in a country that really sucks at the moment. In addition to a serious lack in the social life, the humidity here is like death...you can't breathe when you walk out the door. Take a sauna, and multiply it by 1000. I can't wait to get back to Toronto! I hear its nice and chilly there!

The second thing is I have finally graduated from university with a degree in Architecture! Four years since the whole roller coaster ride started and I have to say I miss every single miserable day I experienced in the past four years. When they say your university years are the best in your life, they really mean it. Sadly no one ever listens and before you know it, the years fly by and BAM! The real world hits you. It's not a pleasant wake up call, I have to say. It's a rude awakening. Thus the search for your life long "ball and chain" (i.e. job/career) begin.

Enough of that boring stuff though. I was looking through old pictures of New York, since I want to visit in the near future, and cam across some amazing shots of old NY. Eugene de Salignac was pretty well known for his famous shots of the city. This is one of my favourites

Brooklyn Bridge, showing painters on suspenders, October 7, 1914
From New York Rises: Photographs by Eugene de Salignac
Its truly amazing.

In complete contrast, there is another blog I would like to share with you. It always gives me a good laugh anytime, any day. Fake Science is a site whose tag line is "For when the facts are too confusing." I must say, its more interesting than the real thing. If you're ever down or ever need a bit of a giggle, or just want some simple FAKE SCIENCE, check out the site. Here is today's gem! (Why did the T-Rex have such short arms)

Also, check out their quiz to discover what kind of scientist you would be! My inner geek shows itself...

Happy Friday!

Happy Canada Day!

For those of you who live in Canada or are Canadian...or simply just love us Canucks! HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

Everything is closed today so I can't do much. There are no fireworks or events happening because of the garbage strike currently going on in the city. This really is turning out to be a strange summer. I'm still looking for Real Madrid tickets *sigh*. I think I have to accept at some point I might not be going to this game! (as much as that hurts). Anyways I got work to finish up during this lovely holiday! There is nothing better than sitting at home filling out spreadsheets while its sunny and warm outside! I'll leave you with a video that makes me smile every time!



But I'm Le Tiiiiiiired