Easter Break in Beirut

 

Vacation... it's great here in the region when spring comes back. I decided to head north east to spent my Easter Break with great friends in the Lebanese capital Beirut. As many things in this part of the world unfortunately people have wrong prejudices... all the three of us had to "justify" us why we'd heading to such a city! Reality is different. It is a vibrant city with beautiful people, nice and friendly folks everywhere, beautiful areas, lots of history and culture and a nightlife which I hardly have seen ANYWHERE in this world! This city literally kicks a**! We checked in to a nice hotel downtown and spend the day at the roof top pool and doing some shopping. Late afternoon is gym time followed by a short nap to be ready for the evening which always ends in the early morning hours. It is so much fun. There is such an intensity and you can literally feel the power of the people here. All the three of us work hard during our regular business life and so we are really enjoying this break. From the beach you can see the mountains behind Beirut still covered in snow! I flew in from Amman and we flew over the mountains. It is really impressive as the still have meters of snow and you could still go skiing while down at the sea people lie around getting taint (my part ;-)


My weekend in Beirut was really extraordinary. I had such a great time with my friends and I would like to thank them here again! RAGA SIETE DEI GRANDI!!

Instead of writing how Beirut is I copy with pride one of the best descriptions of this extraordinary city I found online:
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/lebanon/beirut
What Beirut is depends entirely on where you are. If you’re gazing at the beautifully reconstructed colonial relics and mosques of central Beirut’s Downtown, the city is a triumph of rejuvenation over disaster. If you’re in the young, vibrant neighbourhoods of Gemmayzeh or Achrafiye, Beirut is about living for the moment: partying, eating and drinking as if there’s no tomorrow. If you’re standing in the shadow of buildings still peppered with bullet holes, or walking the Green Line with an elderly resident, it’s a city of bitter memories and a dark past. If you’re with Beirut’s Armenians, Beirut is about salvation; if you’re with its handful of Jews, it’s about hiding your true identity. Here you’ll find the freest gay scene in the Arab Middle East, yet homosexuality is still illegal. If you’re in one of Beirut’s southern refugee camps, Beirut is about sorrow and displacement; other southern districts are considered a base for paramilitary operations and south Beirut is home to infamous Hezbollah secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah. For some, it’s a city of fear; for others, freedom. Throw in maniacal drivers, air pollution from old, smoking Mercedes taxis, world-class universities, bars to rival Soho and coffee thicker than mud, political demonstrations, and swimming pools awash with more silicone than Miami. Add people so friendly you’ll swear it can’t be true, a political situation existing on a knife-edge, internationally renowned museums and gallery openings that continue in the face of explosions, assassinations and power cuts, and you’ll find that you’ve never experienced a capital city quite so alive and kicking – despite its frequent volatility.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/lebanon/beirut#ixzz1rcjh3gBg

I couldn't describe it better... I just add some pics for you guys out there:


 
 

 


 

 

I have some stories from the Middle East again... even after having lived for two years now here, they still manage to surprise me. So this is THE CARPENTER STORY.

We have a table that is outside during summer and the heat made the paint blister. So we decided to ask somebody to call a carpenter to come, have a look, take the table with him and grind away the old paint and freshly paint it for the new season. First carpenter says he is too busy to show up... and did not even come back to us. So I asked another colleague to contact another carpenter. he immediately said he would do it and touch base with us. The next day he calls at 1500 in the afternoon and told me that he now have time to come to my place. I told him that I was working and couldn't just leave my office. He did not understand and insisted that he now had time!  I told him to call me at least some hours before and then I might manage to do something. I told him to come over lunch or in the evening but he told me he wouldn't work then...AAAAAHHHHHH! I pay and have to arrange my schedule to please the guy I pay!! Welcome to Jordan... next day I was traveling and when I came back the colleague came to me and asked where I had been as the carpenter was looking for me and I was not there... I told him that I had to travel and that the carpenter should tell me when he shows up and I can organize somebody to be there. Bottom line: I did not manage to organize a carpenter... he still did not show up... He will be coming soon. Insha'Allah.

Take care wherever you are in this world! A big hug to all from Beirut!