As many of you know, I have a few days off for Eid, the holiday which celebrates the end of Ramadan...and some of my new friends were kinda enough to take me to the beach and Saida. Saida is commonly known as Sidon. Sidon is the 3rd largest city in Beirut, 40 kilometers south of Beirut and about 40 kilometers north of Tyre. It has a population of approximately 200,000 people, which is overwhelmingly Muslim. The beach was obviously not right in the city but rather just outside.
It's a new concept to pay for the beach but if you check out the link, it was well worth it!
Anyway, it was so nice to get out of the city! To swim in the pool and the Mediterranean Sea!
After the beach club and a day in the sun, is where the culture came in! We drove into the city of Sidon for dinner of fish (which is fantastic here). Driving into town was full of sights...there is the Med on my right and buildings on the left. Lots of traffic! On the side of the buildings is a long set of tents and tables where people were eating and socializing as spirits were high for Eid! Kids were playing while the adults visited. There was even a little carnival with rides for the children. Once we found a table, my Lebanese friend and I went to pick out the fish. We went into this garage-type place to find lots of fish on ice...it had been caught and gutted that day! We picked out a few different types of fish and he ordered a few side dishes from, or mezze, the region and we went back to our friends at the table! It was neat to have a view of an old Crusader castle with kids running around, Arabic music videos playing, people walking around selling items, people smoking the nagreleih pipe (same thing as a hooka pipe) of flavored tobacco....then the food came! I have fallen in love with the food here! Tabbouleh, fattoush, Baba ghanoush, hummus...all served with flat pita-type bread (which takes the place of the fork). Then the fish arrived! Heads attached and all! After eating a healthy amount of food, as we had nothing but nuts all day, we walked around for a bit then headed home!
It was a fabulous day! Pics will be posted soon!!!Don't forget to check out the beach club sit, www.lazyb.me!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
I have arrived Pt 2
A little more randomness from what I'm learning upon my arrival to Beirut...
Getting around is pretty simple on the surface...if you're lucky, you have a friend with a car (or in my case a colleague), otherwise you walk or take a bus or taxi. The busses look either like a regular city bus (think CARTA) or are the old school VW van-looking things. I haven't ridden the bus yet, but I've heard it's cheap and efficient. The other option is taxi...which is more complex than at first glance....there is a taxi then there is a service (servees) taxi. Servees is cheaper and is shared with other (most likely random) passengers. There is really no way to tell the difference between a taxi and a servees other than to ask. This transportation thing is still an area where I'm not confident and will need much more practice. Come to think of it, this whole day to day living- moving around the city, running errands still needs practice. But it's definitely a place that I don't mind (AT ALL) living in!
Everyone that I have come in contact with is so friendly and many ex pats that I have met have lived here for years...they liked it so much they figured out a way to make what began as a temporary post into a permanent one.
Another interesting thing here is the bathroom situation. The hotel where I'm staying as well as a home I've already had the pleasure of being invited to (for dinner) has a hose-type thing with a sprayer on the end (much like a mini shower hose) in place of a bidet (that will be my next experiment...using the hose). Anyway, the plumbing isn't near like the West, so you throw all "products", including toilet tissue in the trash can. I'm getting used to it but it's weird to be out and throw tissue in the trash instead of flushing it.
It is exciting and fun to experience all the differences in the daily life here...I thought the day would never arrive when I would finally be "Live from Beirut"!! More to come!
Getting around is pretty simple on the surface...if you're lucky, you have a friend with a car (or in my case a colleague), otherwise you walk or take a bus or taxi. The busses look either like a regular city bus (think CARTA) or are the old school VW van-looking things. I haven't ridden the bus yet, but I've heard it's cheap and efficient. The other option is taxi...which is more complex than at first glance....there is a taxi then there is a service (servees) taxi. Servees is cheaper and is shared with other (most likely random) passengers. There is really no way to tell the difference between a taxi and a servees other than to ask. This transportation thing is still an area where I'm not confident and will need much more practice. Come to think of it, this whole day to day living- moving around the city, running errands still needs practice. But it's definitely a place that I don't mind (AT ALL) living in!
Everyone that I have come in contact with is so friendly and many ex pats that I have met have lived here for years...they liked it so much they figured out a way to make what began as a temporary post into a permanent one.
Another interesting thing here is the bathroom situation. The hotel where I'm staying as well as a home I've already had the pleasure of being invited to (for dinner) has a hose-type thing with a sprayer on the end (much like a mini shower hose) in place of a bidet (that will be my next experiment...using the hose). Anyway, the plumbing isn't near like the West, so you throw all "products", including toilet tissue in the trash can. I'm getting used to it but it's weird to be out and throw tissue in the trash instead of flushing it.
It is exciting and fun to experience all the differences in the daily life here...I thought the day would never arrive when I would finally be "Live from Beirut"!! More to come!
I have arrived!
So I'm in Beirut! The flights were uneventful (which is good). I flew from Greenville to DC to Istanbul to Beirut...in Greenville, all 5 of my bags were overweight, so I was pulling items out to send back home with my family and managed to have them checked all the way through to Beirut (which is good because I was thinking I was going to have to claim them all and recheck). The only problem was that I still had to pay a second baggage fee for the second leg of the journey...I think that someone with the airlines dropped the bal...but cest la vie.
I met an American at the airport in Istanbul who I palled around with until our flights, he to Kuwait me to Beirut. Upon arrival, I got in the wrong line, proceeded to another line, only to discover that I had to go to two other lines...finally I made it through!
As I was being driven to my hotel (my apartment isn't ready) I noticed that there are very few street signs...upon mentioning this to my bosses (who picked me up) I was told the only traffic rule in Lebanon is "if it can be done, do it". Guess I won't be driving for a while...
Once at the Mayflower Hotel, after unloading in my room, I showered and went to bed. THe next day is when I truly began my BEirut experience.
My hotel is in the neighborhood of Beirut called Hamra (pronounced like it looks), which is also the area where the major universities are (AUB, LAU, and the French one) as well as most of the popular pubs and shops (I think). My apartment is in the neighborhood of Ashrafieh (pronounced ash-ra-fe-a). Anyway, after dressing, I walked a few blocks to a coffee shop for a frappe and free Internet, where I caught up on my "I made it safely" correspondences. I believe my new past time is people watching. Remember the lack of traffic rules...well it is fun to observe driving here...all you hear is car horns. Whether they are honking tonhear themselves, warn pedestrians, or other vehicles is unknown (perhaps all of the above) regardless one should always be on their toes when around the streets.
STanding in lines, experiencing the traffic, and observing the people, I'm noticing that the Lebanese have this attitude of "what I'm doing is of utmost importance and the hell with what youre doing" all while smiling and being polite. They have been nothing but friendly and kind but won't hesitate to honk you out of the way, block traffic with a parked car...is this just Beirut or just another huge ass city...more to come...heading to the school to do some work!
I met an American at the airport in Istanbul who I palled around with until our flights, he to Kuwait me to Beirut. Upon arrival, I got in the wrong line, proceeded to another line, only to discover that I had to go to two other lines...finally I made it through!
As I was being driven to my hotel (my apartment isn't ready) I noticed that there are very few street signs...upon mentioning this to my bosses (who picked me up) I was told the only traffic rule in Lebanon is "if it can be done, do it". Guess I won't be driving for a while...
Once at the Mayflower Hotel, after unloading in my room, I showered and went to bed. THe next day is when I truly began my BEirut experience.
My hotel is in the neighborhood of Beirut called Hamra (pronounced like it looks), which is also the area where the major universities are (AUB, LAU, and the French one) as well as most of the popular pubs and shops (I think). My apartment is in the neighborhood of Ashrafieh (pronounced ash-ra-fe-a). Anyway, after dressing, I walked a few blocks to a coffee shop for a frappe and free Internet, where I caught up on my "I made it safely" correspondences. I believe my new past time is people watching. Remember the lack of traffic rules...well it is fun to observe driving here...all you hear is car horns. Whether they are honking tonhear themselves, warn pedestrians, or other vehicles is unknown (perhaps all of the above) regardless one should always be on their toes when around the streets.
STanding in lines, experiencing the traffic, and observing the people, I'm noticing that the Lebanese have this attitude of "what I'm doing is of utmost importance and the hell with what youre doing" all while smiling and being polite. They have been nothing but friendly and kind but won't hesitate to honk you out of the way, block traffic with a parked car...is this just Beirut or just another huge ass city...more to come...heading to the school to do some work!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Where Is Home?
Charleston and I have parted ways...we had a fabulous love affair and the last few weeks were like the beginning (eleven years ago)...fun, exciting, and passionate...but I had to let him go. Sometimes you have to walk away...perhaps to confirm that you were meant to be...
Since leaving Charleston, I have spent the last few weeks in the small community where I grew up...living with my parents, visiting family and dear friends, and driving around reminiscing...I have been contemplating "where is home?"
Is home where your family is? If you have been fortunate enough to have a family like mine, the answer is yes. I come from a family where loyalty, support, love, humor, resilience, and understanding are the threads that bind us. I can honestly NEVER recall a time when anyone in my family needed something and had to go it alone. We are a team, we stick together. Despite living away from my family for a while, I knew I could always come home.
Is home where you became an adult and established yourself? If you have been fortunate enough to have attended college where I did, developed the friendships I have, and came into your own in (my opinion and Travel and Leisure Magazine) the most glorious city in America, the answer is yes. Anyone that knows me knows how much Charleston means to me and how much it pains me to have left. While I loved visiting my family, I would get that child-on-Christmas Eve feeling while I was driving home (back to Charleston).
Is home going to become Beirut? I will be fortunate to live and work in one of the most historical, exciting, happening, beautiful cities in the world. Will I have with Beirut what I have Charleston? Will I develop the friendships that I am lucky enough to have developed in Charleston? Will I make friends that are as dear as my friends from childhood? Will I find a surrogate family to guide me as mine isn't close by? Will I respect and appreciate Beirut as I do my town from childhood? Will I fall in love with Beirut as I did with Charleston?
I am exhilarated by the fact that I am moving to the fantastic city that is Beirut, however I can't shake the question of where is home...
Thoughts? Advice? Guidance?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Is Charleston THE One?
The countdown for breaking up with Charleston has begun...2 weeks!!! My house still isn't packed and I have discovered that I've taken this fabulous city for granted!!!
I think Charleston is like that guy that I dated...he was attractive, fun, sweet, we had a lot in common...but I didn't realize all of his great qualities and how much I loved him until he was out of the picture...now I want him back. It's kind of like that with Charleston...
Our relationship started off new and exciting...my parents dropping me off at the College of Charleston in August of 2000, I joined a sorority, made friends, partied...After graduation, I decided to stay and make Charleston my home, getting a teaching job, falling in to a comfortable routine, building a house...After nine years, I began to get restless in the relationship, it's not him--it's me, I need to fulfill the desire to travel, to live in another culture...Now I'm in my current position, packing up to relocate to Beirut! I can't wait! I'm scared! It's new and exciting! But I can't shake that thought in the back of my mind...is he the one? Is Charleston my real home? I guess I need to date around more to make sure...
While we have agreed to see other people, we are going to make the most of the time we have left...
I think Charleston is like that guy that I dated...he was attractive, fun, sweet, we had a lot in common...but I didn't realize all of his great qualities and how much I loved him until he was out of the picture...now I want him back. It's kind of like that with Charleston...
Our relationship started off new and exciting...my parents dropping me off at the College of Charleston in August of 2000, I joined a sorority, made friends, partied...After graduation, I decided to stay and make Charleston my home, getting a teaching job, falling in to a comfortable routine, building a house...After nine years, I began to get restless in the relationship, it's not him--it's me, I need to fulfill the desire to travel, to live in another culture...Now I'm in my current position, packing up to relocate to Beirut! I can't wait! I'm scared! It's new and exciting! But I can't shake that thought in the back of my mind...is he the one? Is Charleston my real home? I guess I need to date around more to make sure...
While we have agreed to see other people, we are going to make the most of the time we have left...
Monday, June 20, 2011
Father's Day, Part II
Yesterday, Father's Day, I participated in my favorite Sunday activity, BRUNCH. This little ritual keeps me sane in the winter and is a welcome event in the summer. I am one of those people that prefer the company of others but will do anything alone if no company is available...yesterday was one of those alone days.
I bellied up to the bar at my neighborhood watering hole and ordered the bottomless mimosas and omlette. I then commenced to reading the Sunday paper...my favorite Brunchtime activity. I always look forward to the Post and Courier's Ken Burger's column. This Sunday's column was especially heartwarming. It tied into Father's Day perfectly and I want to share part of it:
"Every time I left the house, my mother used to hollar out the back door for me to 'be sweet', no matter where I was going. Those two simple words summarized my parents' expectations for my behavior. I was supposed to conduct myself at all times in a manner that not only relected well on them but myself and everybody my family. I was expected to be nice to everybody, regardless of color, age, or position in the world.
I knew to address people in a pleasant tone, open doors for ladies [doesn't necessarily apply to me], to respect my elders, to watch out for younger children, to be on time, to be presentable, to look both ways before crossing the street, and to speak in complete sentences.
Yes sir and yes ma'am were integral parts of my vocabulary. I didn't talk back [or I meet dire consequences]. I spoke when spoken to. I played fair. I didn't say bad words in public [a vice, as an adult, I am working on]. I stayed awake in church. I minded my manners at the table. And I never, ever thought of arguing with my daddy.
Maybe if I'd been raised somewhere else by different parents I'd be a totally different person.
Maybe I'd be tougher, meaner, more conniving, less trustworthy, more self-centered, sneakier, more suspicious, and somehowbetter prepared to deal with the harsh realities of life.
Maybe I wouldn't care what other people thought of me, or if they got a fair deal, or even if they lived or died.
Maybe I'd think of only myself, disregarding other's needs, trash somebody's reputation in order to improve my own, lie when it suited my needs, or ignore other people's feelings because they really don'tmatter.
Or perhaps I'd drive like I was the only one on the highway, believing my destination was more important than all those other people doing the speed limit and driving defensively, because of people like me.
Maybe I'd interrupt people when they were talking, not pay attention to someone when they tried to explain something, or belittle someone because they were physically or mentally different.
Personally I feel sorry for people like that. I guess their mothers never told them to 'be sweet', two little words that can make all the difference in life"
See why I enjoy Brunch?
I bellied up to the bar at my neighborhood watering hole and ordered the bottomless mimosas and omlette. I then commenced to reading the Sunday paper...my favorite Brunchtime activity. I always look forward to the Post and Courier's Ken Burger's column. This Sunday's column was especially heartwarming. It tied into Father's Day perfectly and I want to share part of it:
"Every time I left the house, my mother used to hollar out the back door for me to 'be sweet', no matter where I was going. Those two simple words summarized my parents' expectations for my behavior. I was supposed to conduct myself at all times in a manner that not only relected well on them but myself and everybody my family. I was expected to be nice to everybody, regardless of color, age, or position in the world.
I knew to address people in a pleasant tone, open doors for ladies [doesn't necessarily apply to me], to respect my elders, to watch out for younger children, to be on time, to be presentable, to look both ways before crossing the street, and to speak in complete sentences.
Yes sir and yes ma'am were integral parts of my vocabulary. I didn't talk back [or I meet dire consequences]. I spoke when spoken to. I played fair. I didn't say bad words in public [a vice, as an adult, I am working on]. I stayed awake in church. I minded my manners at the table. And I never, ever thought of arguing with my daddy.
Maybe if I'd been raised somewhere else by different parents I'd be a totally different person.
Maybe I'd be tougher, meaner, more conniving, less trustworthy, more self-centered, sneakier, more suspicious, and somehowbetter prepared to deal with the harsh realities of life.
Maybe I wouldn't care what other people thought of me, or if they got a fair deal, or even if they lived or died.
Maybe I'd think of only myself, disregarding other's needs, trash somebody's reputation in order to improve my own, lie when it suited my needs, or ignore other people's feelings because they really don'tmatter.
Or perhaps I'd drive like I was the only one on the highway, believing my destination was more important than all those other people doing the speed limit and driving defensively, because of people like me.
Maybe I'd interrupt people when they were talking, not pay attention to someone when they tried to explain something, or belittle someone because they were physically or mentally different.
Personally I feel sorry for people like that. I guess their mothers never told them to 'be sweet', two little words that can make all the difference in life"
See why I enjoy Brunch?
Father's Day
While one day late...I feel that Father's Day wouldn't be complete without a post honoring my dad. I am fortunate to come from a family of wonderful, caring, devoted men. The men in my family are God-fearing, loyal, and full of conviction.
I cannot recall a time in my life when I needed my dad and he wasn't there. That poor man sat through games (while I was cheerleading, not playing), dance recitals, pageants, shopping trips...you name it. When I was a sophomore at the College of Charleston and needed him to go with me to an appointment, he left work and drove the three hours just for thirty minutes (and lunch). He and my mom came down to Charleston to help me set up my first classroom. He came down (again just for the day) to help a roommate and I workout issues with the third roommate. He also has put in physical labor over the past eleven years...moving me in the heat and humidity that is customary during Charleston summers...a whopping eight times! Bless his heart...this July, will the the ninth move!
Calling my dad yesterday, I got kinda of upset...right now, I can just pick up the phone and talk to him. After August 19, that will change. Calls and Skype will have to be planned and coordinated. But there's no need to dwell on that...in the words of Scarlett O'Hara "I'll think about that tomorrow".
I can go on and on about what makes my dad superior to all others, but everyone should feel that way about their father...he has taught us how to live in a manner that is honest and pleasing to God.
While everyone should feel this way about their dad, I firmly believe that my dad is the best man alive and I wish him (again) an Happy Father's Day!
I cannot recall a time in my life when I needed my dad and he wasn't there. That poor man sat through games (while I was cheerleading, not playing), dance recitals, pageants, shopping trips...you name it. When I was a sophomore at the College of Charleston and needed him to go with me to an appointment, he left work and drove the three hours just for thirty minutes (and lunch). He and my mom came down to Charleston to help me set up my first classroom. He came down (again just for the day) to help a roommate and I workout issues with the third roommate. He also has put in physical labor over the past eleven years...moving me in the heat and humidity that is customary during Charleston summers...a whopping eight times! Bless his heart...this July, will the the ninth move!
Calling my dad yesterday, I got kinda of upset...right now, I can just pick up the phone and talk to him. After August 19, that will change. Calls and Skype will have to be planned and coordinated. But there's no need to dwell on that...in the words of Scarlett O'Hara "I'll think about that tomorrow".
I can go on and on about what makes my dad superior to all others, but everyone should feel that way about their father...he has taught us how to live in a manner that is honest and pleasing to God.
While everyone should feel this way about their dad, I firmly believe that my dad is the best man alive and I wish him (again) an Happy Father's Day!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Let the Procrastination Begin
School's out for the summer! It's time for relaxin' by the pool or on the beach...perhaps even a nice little boat trip (thanks to my best friend). As a teacher on summer break, you have the relative freedom to not get in bed early, to sleep as late as you want...but this summer is different. Every other summer, I would be running cheerleading practices, taking a college class, or working a part time job (all while maintaining my late to bed, late to rise schedule...but this summer is different...
Why is this summer different? I have to pack up my entire life to move to Beirut, Lebanon. While I am excited (as teaching overseas has been a dream of mine for a while now...how does one sort through an entire house (deciding what to keep, sell, or Goodwill)? My classroom wasn't that difficult...that stuff can be replaced should I need anything...but your personal belongings? What if I make a mistake? What if I need something in Beirut but I sold it? What if, upon my return to the states in several years, if I really need dishes? (I know dishes can be replaced...but not my late Aunt Hazel's dishes...) You know what I mean? I planned on taking only clothes and some pictures to the "new home" but what if I don't take the right pictures? I haven't even touched on the people I'm leaving (different post, different time), but I wonder if I haven't really started packing up because I'm avoiding the tough decisions of what to keep and of what to dispose...Let the Procrastination Begin!
Why is this summer different? I have to pack up my entire life to move to Beirut, Lebanon. While I am excited (as teaching overseas has been a dream of mine for a while now...how does one sort through an entire house (deciding what to keep, sell, or Goodwill)? My classroom wasn't that difficult...that stuff can be replaced should I need anything...but your personal belongings? What if I make a mistake? What if I need something in Beirut but I sold it? What if, upon my return to the states in several years, if I really need dishes? (I know dishes can be replaced...but not my late Aunt Hazel's dishes...) You know what I mean? I planned on taking only clothes and some pictures to the "new home" but what if I don't take the right pictures? I haven't even touched on the people I'm leaving (different post, different time), but I wonder if I haven't really started packing up because I'm avoiding the tough decisions of what to keep and of what to dispose...Let the Procrastination Begin!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Last Day
So this is it...my last day at a school where I've been teaching for seven years. It's somewhat bittersweet...I'm ready for a change but have developed many friendships that will no doubt last a lifetime. Today is a workday and everyone's completed their check-out list (those of you that teach know what I mean)...most of my colleagues are sitting around chatting and I started a blog.
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