“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We’d like to welcome you onboard British Midland’s flight 8180 to Beirut …”
In all my years on this earth, I have never felt anything quite like this. There was a strange feeling in my stomach – juiced up butterflies flapping their wings at superhuman speeds, maybe. To my right, there is a trio of bearded businessmen discussing politics: to my left, two women are discussing Heath Ledger’s tragic drug overdose. Giddy, I bounce in anticipation of this momentous occasion: I am embarking on my first trip to Lebanon.
â–º QUARTER FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
In May 2008, Mirande, the nicest woman in the world, fell in love with my uncle and they decided to get married. In typical Arab fashion, my family and I immediately packed our bags and set out towards the motherland. Located in southwestern Asia – with the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south – Lebanon certainly does not lie in our backyard. Based on Lawrence of Arabia, the news, and my parent’s stories, I confess that I expected Lebanon to be a deadly war zone. Ironically, this stereotype is nowhere near reality. Known as the “Paris of the Middle East”, Lebanon opened my eyes to the world by bringing my taste buds to new heights and developing my love of Arabic culture.
To the Lebanese, food is something to savor and enjoy, rather than fatally consume. It has to be appealing to the eyes as well as to the pallet. This, combined with typical Lebanese generosity, makes for some pretty memorable mealtimes. One of my fondest memories was of our first dinner at the home of Mirande’s parents. Her mother, Taunt Souad, had outdone herself: the table was laden with everything from hummus and m’tabbal (eggplant dip) to tabbouleh (parsley and burghul salad) to kibbeh (a meat and burghul dish …. my mouth is watering!) to sfeeha and fatayer (meat, spinach, and cheese pies) to warak enab (stuffed grape leaves) – and these were just the appetizers! With trained eyes, Taunt Souad thoroughly scrutinized our plates for any opening – every time she spotted an inch of space, she would immediately replenish it with an even bigger serving!
To be clear, this wasn’t an isolated incident: at every meal, our hosts implored us, “kilo b’aad!” (“eat more”). To sum it up, if I were to say only one thing about the Lebanese, it would be that their generosity and kindness are unparalleled (our inside joke is that it's illegal to leave the country without a minimum gain of five pounds).
Fleeing the unbearable humidity of the Mediterranean Sea, we decided to take an overnight trip to the mountains. About an hour’s drive from where we were staying in Beirut, Zahle (my dad’s hometown) is far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Because of this, residents lead comparably slower lives. The most popular afternoon activitiy is to drink Turkish coffee and visit (gossip) with neighbors. As a matter of fact, while my family and I walked down to “al Waddi” (“the Ravine”), a small outdoor promenade packed with restaurants, friendly locals would ask us (perfect strangers, mind you!) to drop by for coffee!
When it comes down to it, this is why Lebanon has such a place in my heart: the people that I met were good-hearted and generous. They displayed the epitome of etiquette; they were passionate about good food and good people; they showed hospitality to every stranger.
Oh, if I could only grow wings and fly there right now!
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to ““These are the children of Lebanon: they are the lamps that cannot be snuffed by the wind.””
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
The content here is well-researched and very informative, making it a valuable read. This site continues to be a great source of useful and engaging articles.
This blog does a great job of highlighting the rich Black history in St. Augustine. It’s informative and well-structured, making it easy to follow the timeline of events. The details about Fort Mose and the Civil Rights Movement are especially powerful. A must-read for anyone interested in history and culture!
These holiday light displays look absolutely magical! I’m especially drawn to the ‘Las Noches de Las Luminarias’ in Phoenix with all those glowing cacti and lanterns – what a unique and beautiful way to celebrate the season. I also love the idea of the Enchanted Forest in Pine Mountain with its millions of lights. It’s amazing how many incredible places there are to enjoy the festive spirit! I’ll definitely be adding a few of these to my holiday bucket list. Happy holidays to all!
I did a fall road trip through New England, and having a Zetexa eSIM was a lifesaver—no dropped signals, even in remote areas! It made navigating scenic routes so much easier. What’s your favorite fall foliage spot?
Hi, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post. It was practical.
Keep on posting!
Very nice post. I definitely love this website.
Keep it up!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog.
I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now 😉
Just wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
I really like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
For most recent information you have to pay a quick visit world wide web and on web I found this web site as a best website for latest updates. https://www.traillink.com/stateactivity/nv-hiking-trails/
thank you for sharing with us
Fantastic blog!
We offer pick up at Washougal port and drop off at Portland Airport, with a private tour of the city to fill your time until your flight! See our website for more information.
https://www.peaktoursandtransit.com/americancruiselines
Yourr style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
Starting the New Year with such vibrant celebrations sounds like a fantastic idea! This guide offers great inspiration for planning a memorable First Night. For anyone looking to experience similar festivities abroad or even within India, the Best Travel Agency in India can make your travel dreams come true. Cheers to a year full of exciting journeys!
Nice i really enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep on posting. Thanks
Would you like this New Year to be the year you let go of your hurtful past? Make the resolution to make the change to become your Best Self.
I am impressed with this website , really I am a fan.
This excellent website truly has all of the information I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Travel Tuesday is such a great opportunity for families to lock in incredible vacation deals! The Caribbean all-inclusive offers and luxury cruises caught my eye this year. For anyone planning trips in 2025, now’s the time to grab those discounts. I’ve found that setting up airfare alerts and exploring flexible travel tools can help extend the savings even further. What’s your favorite way to find hidden travel deals?
Bokeo is truly a captivating delight located in Thailand!
The blend of unspoiled nature, rich culture, and serene landscapes provide an unforgettable trip.
From hidden waterfalls to genuine experiences, every
minute in Bokeo will feel like a voyage of discovery.
You must visit Bokeo if you are looking for authentic Thai appeal and
undiscovered adventure!
ADMIN NOTE: The province of Bokeo is actually in Northern Laos.
Informative article, exactly what I was looking for.
Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your
site. Im really impressed by your site.
Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely
digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
How do family-friendly hotels like the Regency Bar & Grill balance a casual atmosphere with upscale dining experiences? Can such venues successfully cater to both adult tastes and children’s preferences without compromising on quality?”,
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i?¦m glad to convey that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much unquestionably will make certain to do not fail to remember this web site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again!
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write once more soon!
I’ve been really impressed
It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Is it possible for a hotel to truly cater to both adults and children without compromising on the dining experience? How can establishments like the Regency Bar & Grill balance sophisticated culinary offerings with kid-friendly options, and do you think this duality enhances or detracts from the overall atmosphere?
What unique dining experiences can families expect at hotels in the Upper East Side, and how do these experiences cater to both adults and children? Are there any hidden gems or unconventional menu items that truly set these family-friendly hotels apart from the typical offerings?”,
“refusal
TY for posting, it was unbelieveably informative and helped me a ton
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your
content. Please let me know. Thank you
Very interesting information! Perfect just what I was looking for!
“The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed.” by Sbastien-Roch Nicolas de Chamfort.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Las Vegas has so much to offer beyond the usual attractions! If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider exploring the local art scene or taking a day trip to the nearby Red Rock Canyon for some beautiful hiking. It’s a great way to balance the excitement of the Strip with some natural beauty!
I appreciate the practical advice you’ve given here.
Thank for your sharing. That’s good to take children to this places.
i like this article , it was useful
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!