This post was inspired by OhItWontBeForever's older post about her trip to Iraq.

As most of you know, I am Lebanese. I go to Lebanon at least once a year for a minimum of a month. I've been spending time there ever since I was a baby, and I don't ever plan on stopping.
There are a lot of misunderstandings about the Middle East... to be honest, people are just ignorant about everything that has to do with that region of the world. The purpose of this post is to hopefully help those people understand that the Middle East isn't just sand, it isn't just a home for "terrorists", and the people in these countries aren't "veiled drones" (as I've heard someone so disrespectfully say).

Note: Although I've travelled throughout the whole country, I mostly stay in Beirut and a mountain village called Deir el Kamar, so this is mostly based on those areas.

LEBANON

The Weather and Geography

            At higher altitudes, like in the mountains, it stays cooler than in the cities, and it will have snow in the winter. In the city, it's generally warm but with a breeze. The worst month of the year is July because Lebanon is at its hottest and there is no breeze (the Lebanese usually stay in their mountain homes at this time).

The geography of Lebanon is spectacular. There are beautiful mountains throughout the whole country. Contrary to popular belief that all of the Middle East is desert, most of these mountains are actually green. (Hint: That's why it was known as the Fertile Crescent). Lebanon is lined by the Mediterranean Sea on the west, which stays pretty warm and is absolutely gorgeous. If you are somewhere like downtown Beirut, the sea is always within walking distance. Its dark blue-green waves are lined by fisherman, as it is abundant in fish. It also has a rocky coast as well as a sandy beach, depending on the location. A well-known stand-alone rock is La Grotte Pigeon.

Life in the City

            Let me be more specific-- Life in a city called Beirut, the most beautiful city in the world (ok, that was a little bias, I'll admit). We'll do this chronologically.

5AM: No one is even awake at this point, but the air is still crisp, and the sky is light. All you hear is your own heart beat.

7AM-10AM: A small crowd mills around while the stray cats dance around legs for food. The construction workers may start working, depending on how they feel that day. The poor fisherman may be getting an early start by the ocean. Most people, though, are drinking a nice cup of coffee on their balcony, watching the passersby and eating pita bread with laban (yogurt), cucumbers, tomato, za'atar, and olives.

12 NOON: By now, the streets are busy, the cars are honking, and the smell of pollution fills your nostrils. You hear people yell "Serrrrvice!" (they roll their R's), calling for an available taxi. Let me explain: In the city, there are a bunch of taxi cars. The cars in the best condition are usually taxis, which only allow one group in the car for a set, solid price based on distance (they usually charge 10,000LL to 15,000LL, depending on how stuck up the driver is). The cars that are pretty much falling apart are usually called “Service”, and they stop at many different stops, picking up many different people and somehow fitting them all in their four seat cars, and everyone only pays 2,000LL which is equal to around a dollar. Sort of like a bus.
2PM-4PM: At this time, the shopping malls (like l’ABC in Beirut) are brimming with people. This is a great time for people watching. However, in the mountains, this is the nap and tea time. The country people own little stores that are literally like garages, all lined up beside each other. They lock down their fruit stands and put away their meats to go back home and enjoy their lunch. Many people will eat a shawarma (it’s like a sandwich except it’s rolled in pita bread), then they will take a nap.

5PM-8PM: The country people return to work at this time. At some point here, they go back home and eat their dinners. But they usually go back to work, depending on what kind of store they own. In Beirut, the stores are pretty much always open. This is the perfect time to walk down to the coast, buy some corn from a street vender, and watch the sun set behind the sea.

10PM-2AM: This is party time! Beirut is known as the party town of the Middle East, filled with the best clubs and the most beautiful people to attend them! The best clubs, in my opinion, are the ones located on rooftops. You can party in the night sky while looking down on the ocean, the mountains, and the beautiful ancient buildings.

3AM-4AM: Sleep time! It’s pretty quiet around this time. Then you’re back to the beginning of the next day. J

The People

Just like in the United States or the UK, or anywhere really, there is a huge array of people. The women can either be hard-working or they can be the partying type that focuses on beauty. The men can either be really gentle or abusive husbands. It’s not different from anywhere else in the world. However, one thing that is the same amongst everyone is their kindness to others. Each person is always willing to help a stranger. In fact—no one is a stranger! You walk in the streets, and people will stare at you in the eyes as you walk by. It’s not like America where everyone keeps their eyes on their path, where it’s rare that neighbors talk, where you don’t start conversation with the person next to you. If you move to Lebanon, it will only take a week until the whole country knows who you are! The feeling of being lonely doesn’t exist, and that’s the Lebanese way.

Another thing that Americans may find unusual is that pretty much everyone has the same heritage. You don’t see very many blacks or Asians (if you do see them, they are usually carrying a camera and wearing fanny packs) like you do in the States. Almost every citizen has Lebanese features: dark brown hair, olive skin, brown eyes. However, many homes have maids. The maids usually aren’t very well-paid, and they are usually Filipino or from Sri Lanka. These are the only foreigners that stick around.

Another common sighting is the army. They’re everywhere. On every major street corner, there is a tank, keeping watch. On every sidewalk, there are soldiers, keeping watch. Sometimes this is a daunting image, but they are there to keep us safe (or at least, I like to think that. They used to be Syrian soldiers, only there to terrorize us, but now they are mostly gone).

That pretty much puts Lebanon in a nut-shell. I didn't want to go into the politics because there is so much controversy about it. That will be saved for a future post.

Lastly-- if you're interested in traditional Lebanese cooking, check out this food blog: www.TasteofBeirut.com
It's actually made by my mother. She cooks the food, writes the recipes, everything! She works really hard on it, too, and the work pays off (because I get to eat the deliciousness! hehe). She updates it almost every day, too, so there's always something new to look at. Support her! :]

Please rec this post and spread the word! :]