This is the lower cavern of the Jieta Grottos.
This is part of the upper-cave of the Grottos.
Last weekend we took a cab up to the Jieta Grottos. They are about a 20 minute drive up the mountains from Beirut. We went with 6 of us and crammed into a hatchback (known to the cab company as the big car) and headed out. The drive up was full of lots of traffic and since no one stays in a lane, there aren't even any painted on the roads, we spent a lot of time idling next to another car an inch away and enjoying their gas fumes! The Lebanese believe its good for the soul. Just kidding, they don't care either way.
However, when we got to the Grottos, we headed down a long road into a valley and the air immediately cleared and the scenery was beautiful. There were lots of trees and some water. There were people with huts on the side of the road that walked towards your car trying to sell you stuff.
I saw two guys a week ago with crates in a big truck on the side of the highway and they were selling snails. It was super gross they were everywhere. I don't just not want to eat snails but I definitely don't want to eat ones off the side of the highway. I was with my mentor when I saw them and she spent 20 minutes explaining Escargot to me, she does not have a lot of faith in my American education or understanding of any culture but my own. =)
The Grottos have been turned into a bit of a tourist trap, we rode up to the entrance of the Cave in a Gondola. It was very exciting until we got to the top and realized it just took us up a hill and we could have easily walked. Normally, I would choose a Gondola over a walk, but in a country where there are minimal laws and regulations, getting in a device that suspends you high into the air, is a brave thing to do. When was the last time this Gondola was serviced or taken in for repairs? HMM, some questions are better left unanswered and if we died they would simply say, "its Lebanon, we have other things to worry about." We here this about everything from the trash in the Sea to the cat shit on the side of the road.
Thankfully we all made it safe and sound and the Caves were well worth it. They were nominated as the 8th wonder of the world but got 2nd place to a place in China. You can not take pictures inside so I suggest you google Jieta Grottos. In the lower cavern you get to take a flat bottom boat and drive underneath the low hanging rocks. Super fun!
There was also a train that took you down the hill but it took too long so we decided to walk. I was very disappointed in this. I am a big fan of I paid for it, I will wait for it. However, I did think about the safety features again. Also, not even the kids riding it looked happy, so I think I won in the end.
We also got a to watch a 15 minute video that pretty much wasted my life. I would like my money and my 15 minutes back from the creator. It was one of the last remaining videos from 1970. They mostly just played trickling water, so all I learned was where the nearest toilet was. I also learned that in a foreign country, toilet is always a more understood word than bathroom. *Fun Fact*
There was also a "zoo" that was really depressing. They actually had a squirrel in a cage with a tree in the middle. It was so sad to watch him run up and down the tree over and over. It seems like it would have been better not to put him with a tree. I bet he runs it a 1000 times everyday, not remembering that it leads to nowhere. Who needs a squirrel in a cage anyways. They are everywhere!!! It was so weird, but don't fret he also had two turtle friends. I never thought I would see a squirrel in a cage for viewing. If I want to see one I just have to sit outside for 5 minutes.
With all that being said the Grottos were truly amazing!
We had a very nice Lebanese Thanksgiving. We got the day off because it also happened to be the Lebanese Independence Day from France. So, that was a nice coincidence. We went over to the President of our schools house with the other foreign hires. It was about 30 people in total. The Presidents catering staff took care of the turkey and we all brought a dish to share. I made Michaels rice stuffing that Michael loves, it was not as good as hers but I will get better. Michael made his amazing pecan pie. It was really wonderful since we couldn't be with family. We then did a white elephant gift exchange and I think Michael and I, not very shockingly, took the cheap gift limit a little too far. Michael brought toilet paper and fiber crackers we have had since we arrived. I stuffed our broken soccer ball with a used oven mitt. In the oven mitt I put chopsticks from our junk drawer and coupons to our school cafeteria that I got for free. So, I didn't even spend the $5 limit. A spouse from our school ended up with that gift so she can't even use the coupons, I found it all to be very hilarious. I ended up with a bottle of wine. Combses win again!
Then we watched some football and went to bed early because we had to work the next day. Several teachers at school wished me a Happy Thanksgiving which was very nice.
The day before Independence Day the preshcool dedicated the whole day to honoring their Lebanese heritage. It was very cool, however, everyone in the teachers talked in Arabic all day. So, I had little to no idea what was going on most of the day. It was quite overwhelming. They do a dance here called the Dobke, you should Google it, it is quite entertaining to watch. Someone did a flash mob of it in the airport and put it on Youtube, that is also fun. So, some kids wore traditional hats(they look like fez hats) some girls wore traditional dresses. It was fun to be a part of. Then at noon all the kids met on the playground and everyone danced and sang the national anthem and waved flags around. I think from now on in the states I am going to be much more enthusiastic fro the 4th of July. Look out everyone with all my free time I might just create a dance. The whole event just further confirmed my theory that the Lebanese love to dance and dance and dance.
In a side note to Tim, the Salsa dance night was cancelled so no more "look me in the eyes" and no more because "I am a good dancer." I am not sure why it was cancelled, I painted it in such a positive light. haha. Its a sad day in Lebanon for sure when Salsa night can't stand the test of time.
However, there is always a bright side and it rained really hard last night so today the sidewalks are free of cat shit! It is a great day in Lebanon after all.
On a another side note, everyone in the States that has a smartphone should download the app Viber. Then we can text message and call for free, as long as we both have internet. It isn't prefect but its a nice option. If you have an Iphone we can text if you have your Icloud on.
Today I am going to go see the last Twilight movie. I am pretty excited actually and even if it is in Arabic, I think because of the high quality of acting known in the films that I should be able to tell what is going on and how people are feeling. They are just so good..=) Obviously, I am kidding. Mom keeps asking me what language our movies are in and once again English rules the world. There are Arabic subtitles since they are the mast majority and should have to read that their movies, but I am not complaining!
Less than a month til Barcelona! Beyond excited!!!
Fun Pictures just because..
Hey those caves look awesome! I am so excited for you guys to come visit!!!!!!!!!!!!
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