Some more around town pictures

This week I had my first doctor appointment off campus adventure. I knew the building I had to go to and I had what I thought were my forms all ready. I was so proud of myself when I found the building and the doctor's office, since I get lost going anywhere.  But, the lady at the desk told me to go to the HIP building  for a form and then gave me the directions in Arabic.  All I got out of it was across the street and parking.  Being the genuis that I am I figured parking meant a parking lot. So, I went into the underground parking lot across the street and looked around. A man that was guarding/sitting watching tv the parking lot told me to go around the building to the next parking. I walked all through that building and found nothing. Then I ended up on the wrong side of the building and had to guess which way to turn and direction to go. Thankfully I picked the right way and ended up back the orginial doctors office. There was a parking lot on the far side of that building so I tried there.  That guard told me to go to another parking.  I found another parking lot and asked there, that guard understood no English, so I kept walking.  I finally found one last parking lot and the building.  Hooray.  I went inside the building to get my form stamped. Why you have to get your form stamped first I will never understand, anyways, we were supposed to take a number and wait, but this is Lebanon and taking a number means nothing, so I got cut out of line by two men. Finally, the guy behind the counter called directly to me.  I did not have the right id so I got sent to another desk. In the end we realized I had a form with the wrong insurance on it and I did not ever need to go to that building in the first place..haha..ridiculous. Sometimes, I really miss the ease of everyone talking the same language and knowing what is happening around me.  I am still after 5 months here, surprised when I can't speak to anyone that I want to in English.  How that is possible, I don't know but there seems to be an assumption in me that English has taken over the world, which is partly true, but not as true as I need it to me at times.  Thankfully, I really liked the doctor and I have to go back to her next week for another mole removal.  I had made it almost 2 years without having one taken off, but I figured it couldn't last forever. So, everyone remember your sunscreen, its not worth it! On, a second note the medical profession is much better than I assumed it would be. I don't know why I had the idea that it would be all backdoor, dirty needle doctors, but I happy to say I was totally wrong and am fully confident in being taken care of here when needed.

Tomorrow we are going to the Music Hall downtown, it is a big club, but its not a typical club. There is a main stage and throughout the night different music acts from all genres play for about 15 minutes and then there is drinking and dancing, I am super excited. Every local I have talked to loves it and highly recommends it. I will have pictures soon.

Here are some more pictures from around town.

 This is the outside and inside of our favorite coffee shop.

 The bathroom at the coffee shop. A friendly reminder not to flush.

In the far back corner of this area is a restaurant we really like with outdoor seating and cheap, delicious food. Its call Taa Marbouta.

Qadisha Valley Trip

Yesterday Michael, Jen, Tyson, and I rented a car and drove for a little over an hour to the Qadisha (Kadisha) Valley.  It was a scary thought to try and drive that far in Beirut, a place with no laws, ecspecially none on the road.  So, we started out at 7 a.m. to ensure that would be a minimum of other cars on the road. It was a brilliant idea.  With no laws or rules, traffic in this area can get really, really bad.

It was raining most of the drive up but the views were still incredible. Lebanon outside of Beirut, it is a really beautiful place full of trees, greenery, and rocks.  I also got to encounter my first check point. You automatically get a little nervous pulling up, but the guard barely looked at us and passed us through, stress-free, but reassuring of security in Lebanon, not so much.

The day was great. It was so nice to be cold for just a day and remember what winter feels like. On the way home between eating way too many Lays potato chips and what felt like an hour of switchbacks, I got quite carsick, no real surprise there, but we decided to stop for dinner in Byblos (a coastal town a half hour away from Beirut) and had a wonderful time. It was so nice to get away from Beirut and have mini-vacation!

Here are some pictures

Me at Gibrans house. He is a Lebanese poet and author. Zinnia read a piece from him for our wedding.

We found snow! We had no idea there would be less much so we weren't prepared, but it was so nice to see.

A view from way high up into the valley. It was soo cold there.

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A street view!

We drove down to see a monstary. We are not sure if monks still live here but it was beautiful and it stopped raining right when we got there! It is built into the cliff. So inside is very rocky, cold, and wet.

 The view from a small climb.  It really was beautiful and hard to capture in a picture.

Us at the top. I might be wrong but I think this is one of the highest points in Lebanon.

Pictures from the Days of our Lives!

This is the fair went to at a local theatre. It is the closest to Saturday market that I will get.. Lots of fun junk!

 This is by our house on Hamra. No one knows what is inside but that creepy clown on the side keeps me far far away.

 This is our front door. The trashcan is a poor attempt at recycling. I don't think anyone actually does anything different with this trashcan than any other trashcan. And that's our bag of trash we put outside our door for our building guy to pick up and throw away for us. Heaven forbid we walk down 3 flights of stairs to take out the trash!

 This is a new section of Hamra. Hot Dog and Beyond.. What is beyond we have yet to find out. Also a Zatar (thyme) and stuff restaurant.

 We pass this everyday on Hamra. It is the Max of Hamra.  All the local kids from school hang out here. Michael hates walking by because they all call out to him.  The food is supposed to be awful but people like to go there to be seen.  They also give you plastic gloves to eat your food, so your hands don't get drity.  RIDICULOUS. People mostly use them with chicken wings but I saw a guy use them for a burger as well.

 Our hungover/late night spot. They deliver to our apartment and it is amazing if the timing is right.

 I took this because Michael things lots of wires crossing a street symbolizes foreign countries to him. He just really likes them

Me and my shadow. This is me being artistic.  Well done me!

REALIZATION!

I had a realization walking to school today! I also had one while writing this blog, that I am getting a little carried away with my blog writing!

However, my realization was that a year ago this month, Michael and I went to the job fair that pretty much, without being super dramatic changed Michael and I's lives.  There have definitely been about 101 second thoughts, and more than a few tears of I wanna go home (from Michael of course, I never cry =) ) but overall I think we will never regret this decision to uproot and move to Beirut.  What an experience and what a story to tell. I have always wanted the better story in a situation, for example, "hello new person, tell me about yourself." "ok, well I lived in Europe for few years." ME: "oh really, thats cool, I lived for 2 years in B-E-I-R-U-T, have you heard of it?" BAM! I win.  The only person who can beat me on that front is a Syrian, parts of Africa, and parts of Russia. I think there might be a handful of others, but I am unlikely to run into them! Obviously, this experience has turned me into a better person and much less outspoken!

My other realization is HOLY CRAP I live in Beirut. I was walking to school today and its so weird that I would live in the Middle East and at times forget that I live in the Middle East, it seems like a pretty big thing to forget..=) Especially with camels walking down the street and people with machine guns around several corners (the first thing is not true, the machine guns definitely true) I would love to share pictures but then I would not be writing this blog post unless they have internet in jail.

My final realization, that I forgot and then re-realized, is that I have not been in a car for almost a month.  I have not driven in about 6 months but I have not even sat in one for almost a month. CRAZY! and I don't miss it too much, I do miss the convenience of a car, but the streets with no signs and horrible traffic make it better to not have a car. But, it is still very weird to think about.

As a closing, all I can say right now around the year mark is that this has been one whirlwind of a year. All good more than bad which I will always be thankful for, but wow love and Michael make me do some crazy Shiznit!

               Which one of these pictures do you think is safer? And I am not referring to the knife he is cutting with but the product.

Pictures!!!

 This is a cat eating a raw chicken head. We see this at least once a week. A lady on our walk to school is known for putting the heads out, so there are always about 5 cats lurking around her door in the morning. It is DISGUSTING! and Shelby Davis I think I win our picture taking contest! Chicken heads are wayyy better than Gary!

 These are some lovely foam mattresses that could be yours for FREE! I think.  When in doubt with what to do with your trash put it out on the street. Someone else will take care of it!

 This is a painting, I am assuming was done by our Secondary art department.  Umm Yikes!  I don't know who it is supposed to be or even what. Its a lovely dress and mustache and unibrow! I have never seen anyone that looked like this in Beirut! However, since people here openly (half/jokingly) admit to being racist, I would hate to think what this could mean!

 Our Arabic Teacher took us to the grocery store to practice. It was humiliating!!  So, this is Robbie and Jen getting groceries and naming things in Arabic.  Oranges are burtoquall.  Bananas are mooz.

This is another school painting. I call it "The Star Sneezer." I am not sure why it is necessary to put stars so close to her nose but whatever!  I also like the flower hat and the small handprints all over the other ladies face!  Children even Young Adults are fascinating.

ON A SPECIAL NOTE!--My friend you might remember him from here...

He is back in full force and he now even sells women and men's underwear! Happy Valentines Day Michael..although I did see some of the underwear fall on the ground, he very quickly picked them up and wiped them off. 5 second rule on underwear totally applies! Heck you just have to wash!

I picture

I think Michael posted this as well but I really like it, so I am going to post it too!













I promise we live on the place on the right!  Although it is usually a lot more crowded and there are about 3000 more cars in the road, but the rest is true.