ooops! Forgott

Kay kay... i had a message actually from one of my faithful blogging companions asking me about one site that will give him ALL the info needed to plan a trip to Lebanon. OBVIOUSLY, he thinks im not enough! JUST KIDDING David, so this is for him, and anyone else who i have inspired (wow what a word, i feel like MJ) to go for a trip and tour my lovely homeland.

David is also a good sport, he wants to help me in encouraging more people his age to go back and visit Lebanon. Thanks brothaaaaa! So here is what he sent me to post, in hopes to encourage more people to go....

Name:David

Location: Germany

Age: 21

Occupation: Student- Biological Research Major

Hobbies: I AM A PROFESSIONAL PARTY GOER

Reason/influence of visiting Lebanon: Blogs, and the reputation Beirut has in being a party capital. History of the country (including ruins), and a religious pilgrimage to South Lebanon where Christ performed one of his greatest miracles, and the monasteries of the Northern part of the country.

SO yup here is a website David (and everyone else), use it for info, phone numbers, phrases, hotels/hotel booking, featured clubs, restaurants, cafes, and tours. Its a handy website, Ive used it once actually to find a FULL Lebanon tour. Take a look at the calendar, everything is set to a day in the calendar. Byblos Festival is a BIG thing in July, and the Baalbek Festival i thinkkkkkk falls in August.

P.S. David, you asked me about what type of tourists flock to Lebanon and where they usually choose to stay. It really depends, i mean European's and North Americans stick to the beaches and Beirut for its clubbing and shopping. Arabs from the Gulf mainly take hotels and apartments in the Mountain areas (specifically Aley and Broummana) because its much cooler up there...they like to get away from the heat of the Gulf states. But i mean, anyone can go anywhere. Its all beautiful and no matter where you go, you'll find something to enjoy. Have funnnn and see you when i'm there! :)

HERE'S THE WEBSITE'S LINK:

http://beirut.mydestinationinfo.com/

Simple blog :)

Hey guys! its raining, and soooo depressing here today. Thunder left and right, but i must say the lightning show is pretty impressive. I have to say we went from 30 degrees Celsius and loads of sun to a pretty nasty downpour. Sooo, my blogs today aren't going to be as lively....weathers got me down :(.

I initially made this blog to show my love for the motherland- hehe soo Russian Mob of me to say, and to kinda change the perspective people have of Lebanon. I keep getting nice messages of people asking me about different places and my experiences,what i recommend and what they should stay away from so i really apreciate the positive feedback! THANKS LOVES! But today, someone asked me what tourism is like this year! My frienddd, i wish i could ramble on and on...but i cant lol. So i'm gonna put a link to a cool article about Lebanon this year,and its tourism. As i'm not in Lebanon (yettttttt =]), i cant talk about its tourism. WHEN I GET BACK, HOWEVER, BE PREPARED FOR SOME LONG BLOGS :).

Here's the article... enjoy it as much as i am enjoying my lemon-mint argeeli (shisha)...yum!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/25/AR2010062501810.html

Beirut at heart :)

So i'm being a bit of a downer today. I am born and raised in a Canadian city out west, it's great... Canada is a great place with great opportunities and chances that are not found anywhere else. However, most people have that one place where they unwind, and dont have to hold in who they are, and be someone they aren't....is that true? or is that only with me? UGH. I woke up today to overhear my mother(bless her soul...voice...not so much) and my father (bless his soul...opinions not very much either) talking, or should i say "conversating" about how excited i am to be going back home. She pointed out my change in the taste of my music - it is back to "hippie-style", as my mother called it-ummm no its called INDIE motherrrrr for the thousandth time. She was also quick to point out that my taste in clothing is very very "weird". Like every crazed Lebanese person going back to Lebanon, you have to shop like crazy kay? you have a country thats almost one year ahead of Canada in fashion, not to mention dressing up and looking like you are walking on the Champs-Elysees about to go into the Moulin Rouge or Lido is expected- at ALL times. She wants to know why i have my ripped jeans, long scarves, hats, striped tanks, funky converse shoes, beaded necklaces and bracelets in my bags and not "normal clothes" hehehehe... Ummmm i think it's because i'm a self-proclaimed Urban Lebanese. Does that make sense? i mean im born in the Canada, my family originated from the Bekaa valley - HELLO FARMS AND SMALL TOWNS- but i think i'm a Beiruti at heart. I see myself walking into AUB with my friends (bless thier souls and voices and opinions) who already go to AUB (American University of Beirut)and chilling and talking about things in Gemmayze after classes that my fellow "Bekaa Valleyians" could not relate to. Does that make sense or am i rambling?
OK, i LOVE my hometown, absolutely gorgeous, so fun, everyones soo friendly (to foreigners) but i mean if i walk down the street in Zahle i could hear the towns people now "hayda mish min 3ena" (translation: he's not from around here") followed by the "akid min Beirut" (translation: for sure he is from Beirut). That may not be a good thing necessarily because Beiruti's tend to be the butt of the jokes in the Bekaa Valley, but come on...someone who hates the wilderness, loves fast internet, the sounds of cars beeping all day and throughout the night, the sounds of clubs and bars closing their doors at 7am only to have the cafes and bakeries to open at 9, the OCEAN because the mountains of the valley are not going anywhere, poetry over zajal, techno over 3ataba, pictures over paintings, music over silence, dance over dabke, and of course the freedom and mystery Beirut has to offer MUST ONLY BE BEIRUTI AT HEART NO?

SO HERE'S MY TRIBUTE TO BEIRUT, WHERE THE REAL ME COMES OUT. And a tribute to Charbel, Adham, and Fares who, along side with me, are.........Beiruti at Heart. <3

(Picture taken in Hamra of the 3 stooges next to the favourite store -Jack and Jones[How Beiruti again])Here's a good beat, ENJOY!

Lebanese area of the week #2

I know im one day early on this but i will be too busy to post an area in the coming days, so yup...Now I know MOST people focus on Beirut as Lebanon's main attraction, so I know i'm gonna get the crazy messages of people telling me to pick something new... but come on guys, how can i not feature the CRAZIEST area of Lebanon?? I know OK its in Beirut and you guys want something new an "undiscovered". Seriously, Lebanon is probably the size of New York and surrounding area....ITS BEEN DISCOVERED! Ummm so yes, this week i have chosen GEMMAYZE. I chose it because this is one of Beirut's oldest neighborhoods. The houses are older than the dinosaurs...but its not the "oldness", but it's DIVERSITY, that makes it touch my heart... and the smooth vodka i guess you can say. :)

Gemmayze falls in the Ashrafieh district of Lebanon's capital. Ashrafieh is a Orthodox Christian majority area, and is considered to be one of Beirut's most charming and "lively" areas :). Lets get to the point...Gemmayze. Its actually a BOHEMIAN quarter of Beirut- ahh bohemian...so nice. :) Were talking about an old district full of narrow streets and beautiful historic buildings from the French era. It is well known for its trendy bars and pubs, cafes, restaurants and lounges; a perfect chill out place to have a drink "with soul" and watch the night go by. Rue. Gouraud (oui oui en Francaise ) in Gemmayze has the highest concentration of night venues, particularly at the side closest to Downtown Beirut. Similarly to Monot street, this area is old and historic, and was designed well before the invention of cars, so going by car through its narrow streets requires a lot of patience (a lot doesn't cut it loves). It is however amazing, both in day and in night and worth a visit. Gemmayze borders Downtown Beirut's East side, and it too is a very short walk from the city center. Walking would be the best option, (being dropped off by a taxi at the entrance of the street, and walking the rest, is another option).
Be prepared for the unexpected though, you could see a VERY wide range of people in this area...from foreigners to locals...yesss that includes weirdos too PaulLingston( a fellow blogger, who likes to know about weird things- ya Allah). Ignore the fancy stuff, go straight into the old quarters, and check it out. The staired street is pretty bumping as well :)

P.S. if you come across a black and white cat, run... Ive named this cat BOEBOE THE RIPPER, as it chased me down the street with loud meows and a series of attempts to maul my feet.

So heres some Gemmayze pics, and a picture of BOEBOE. EEW

Excitedddd :)

Now, as excited as I am to FINALLY be going back home, I have to make it more clear about my newest excitement. I knowwww guysss, everyone in Canada probably knows how happy i am, I might as well should have been on the radio announcing it to the Queen herself...but unfortunately i wasnt allowed to CBC radio to holler and scream at the top of my lungs. NOW however, i am sure im going to barge into the radio station, get arrested too btw, because my cousin bought me Mashrou'Leila tickets for the Byblos festival....THATS RIGHT! MASHROU' LEILA LIVE AT BYBLOS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL ON JULY 9!!! :) Let me catch my breath before i continue with this post....

I'm good now =]. So anyways, besides my love for Lebanon, i have an INFATUATION with Mashrou' Leila....they are the REAL chicken soup for the soul....forget about those dust collecting books...Mashrou' Leila is the real stuff...like Grade A cocaine if you ask me.
Soo ill have pics up for that when i'm there, but for anyone interested...MUST check this group out live in concert... good music, good city, nice atmosphere, etc etc. Here's the info my loves. FUNKYY? I would think so. OK, so drink up and go..BTW my mitochondria are beeping with excitement too! it's a bit surreal, (a bit? who am i kidding? it's f*****g Dali material) but it's real.. sans the sur.. really - ok.. breathe in / breath out - so you should ALL be there.

p.s. did i mention i love Lebanon? like love cannot express - like, I.. I chocolate Lebanon!

Tickets are sold at Virgin Ticketing Box Office: Downtown Beirut, ABC Achrafieh, ABC Dbayeh, City Mall Dora, Le Mall Sin el-Fil, Tripoli, Faqra Club, Saida (Al Ittihad Bookshop), Byblos Venue and Damasquino Mall - Damascus.
Standing: 30 000 LBP [20$]; Seated: 45 000 LBP [30$]

Transportation from Beirut: Allô Taxi
Bus roundtrip tickets at 10 000 LBP available at Virgin Megastore
For taxi services call 1213

for more information:
http://www.byblosfestival.org/

LEBANESE JEWELRY

Jewelry anybody?? Beiruti's have always been hip, trendy, stylish, and my favorite... FUNKY :)
We've seen designers like Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab in action with haute couture, a woman who sews crazy purses for royalty around the world but remains anonymous, to a new, and pretty awesome may I add, jewelry line thats hand made. I came across this jewelry line actually on Facebook... it was pretty cool because most of the jewelry is related to Lebanon and parts of Lebanese culture, places, and history. The line has a Facebook group by the name of "Zinab Chahine Ctrl+Z Jewelry Design" . keep in mind these are "Handmade jewelry with a modern oriental twist!". If you have Facebook, check this group out...if not here's an email you can use to get into contact with the designer, she'll help you out with your purchases. Her name is Zinab Chahine and her email is as follows: ctrl.z.design@hotmail.com =] . Kinda creepy i know, that i have this info...but bare with me they were on the group. :P

P.s. if any of you live in Lebanon this jewelery can be purchased at Luanatic in Monot, Beirut.

Here's some pictures, check 'em out:

Lebanese flotilla

A Lebanese flotilla is set to sail from Lebanon to Gaza. Last night Israeli officials stated that they are keep a "close eye" for any Lebanese flotilla. Lebanon and the Lebanese once again are proving to the world they are active in peace, love, and humanitarian issues. Hopefully they can make it there safely.

Lebanese area of the week

So I decided on presenting a different Lebanese area every week so you can take a glimpse of Lebanon's crazyyyy and absolutely gorgeous geography. This week's choice? NAQOURA!
Naqoura [ الناقورة‎] is a small city in southern Lebanon. The approximate population is 24,910 people. Since March 23, 1978 until present, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been headquartered in Naqoura. Towns in or around the Naqqoura region include Sour, Tyre, Nabatieh, Alma el Chaab, Marwahin, Dhaira, Yarine, Al Bustan, Alma Al Chaab, Rmeich, and Bint Jbeil. Most of the inhabitants are Shiite Muslims,a nd is a stronghold for Hezballah...BUT it is also one of Lebanon's most beautiful areas, and surprisingly...one of the safest. During the 2006 Israel-Hezballah war, Naqoura seen heavy shelling, however it is not known for war. It is best known for its high cliffs, green valleys, banana orchards, and most of all the crystal clear waters of its rocky beaches.... take a look :)

This is Lebanon =]

I love Lebanon's remarkable diversity. It always amazes me. I came across some videos that really show how diverse and culturaly complex Lebanon is. The first is a short film, produced by 2 Lebanese in Lebanon. Its a funky film about life in Lebanon...and in general with all its good and bad. The second video is a music video for the Lebanese Indie group Mashrou3 Leila.... they play the music in the short film i selected. The 2 videos are two of my favourites, I love how they give you that "other side" of Lebanon... so touching :P. Enjoy :) Here is the info about the short film:
Name: Beirut, I Love You (I Love You Not),
Awards: Winner of "Best Film - International" Award at the Swansea Bay Film Festival UK - 2010
Written & Directed by: Mounia Akl & Cyril Aris
Cast: Mounia Akl Cyril Aris
The film has already been selected in:- The Swansea Bay Film Festival - UK (2010) - The International Youth Film Festival - UK (2010) - The International Film Festival of Egypt (2010) - The Lebanese Film Festival of Montreal, Canada (2010) - The SOAS Cultural Event, UK (2010) - The Creative Commons Salon in Beirut, Lebanon (2010) - The Creative Commons Salon in Amman, Jordan (2009)
Music by: Mashrou' Leila: http://www.myspace.com/mashrou3leila Barnabas Folk: http://www.youtube.com/user/BarnabasF... & Yann Tiersen
Filmed in: Lebanon (Beirut, Jbeil, Deir El Qamar, Broumana & Rabieh)


This is the song called Fasateen by Indie group Mahrou' Leila. They are Lebanon's favourite indie group...simply because they are Lebanon's own....not to mention amazingly talented. Enjoy :)

Bashir Gemayel

A tribute to one of Lebanon's greatest men.... if only Lebanon listened to one word you said, then maybe we would not be in this mess. WAKE UP LEBANON.