post 31/365
As the light starts to fill the sky and the warmth of the sun spreads on the Mediterranean Sea, a flicker of human shapes spread along the Cornish from a distance. Old men and some young ones too scatter along our beloved Cornish, one of the last democratic public spaces in Beirut, holding their fishing rods and their wicker baskets. There is nothing I love more in the morning than that little picturesque strip that has become a landmark of Beirut and its mix of people.
post 30/365
When exiting towards the poorer southern districts of the city, it’s a world away from the affluence of downtown Beirut. Checkpoints are more frequent and the surroundings become more impoverished. The urban landscape consists of disorganized heavy concrete buildings, masses of people and chaotic bumper-to-bumper traffic.
post 29/365
Lebanese singer Samira Tawfik, original name Samira Ghastin Karimona, was born in 1937 and began her career singing in major theatre productions in Beirut at the age of 13. She worked in Jordanian radio in the 1960s, distinguishing herself from her peers by singing Bedouin songs, a style that she became known for throughout her career. Samira was introduced to the Egyptian musician Tawfiq Bayoumi who gave her stage name “Tawfiq” (Success) when he told her al-Tawfiq Min Allah (success will come with the blessing of God). She also starred in several films during the sixties and seventies. Her songs are still repeated and sang by the public until today, despite her absence from the artistic scene.
Post 28/365
The Sisters or The Sisters Olive Trees of Noah are tucked away in the sleepy village of Bechealeh, in the North of Lebanon. They are a grove of sixteen olive trees, the oldest olive trees in the world, that have witnessed 5000 years of political unrest, plagues, diseases, varying climatic conditions and changing civilizations. The Sisters’ are said to be from an undocumented olive tree variety, an ancestor of the Balasi Ayrouni. They remain one of the great unresolved and virtually unexplored pre-Biblical mysteries; common folklore and a few Biblical Scholars believe that these are the trees from which the dove took the branch back to Noah when the deluge subsided.
post 27/365
Because nothing says I love you like a warm wrapped tanjara straight from your mom’s stove, this post is dedicated to all the loving mothers in Lebanon and there are plenty of them out there. A Lebanese mom’s biggest fear is that you or your family might die of starvation. She will do absolutely everything to make sure that you and your family are well fed. Continue reading
post 26/365
Egyptians created lemonade more than 1,500 years ago. This popular drink was called “qatarmizat” and was consumed between the 10th and 13th centuries. Lemon juice has several health benefits associated with it. It is well known as a useful treatment for kidney stones, reducing strokes and lowering body temperature.
post 25/365
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896.
post 24/365
Sayidat al-Bahr, is situated in the city of Batroun in Northern Lebanon. It is located on the western side of the city in the Al Saydeh (the Lady) quarter.
Overlooking the remains of a Phoenician sea wall, this simple Greek Orthodox church built right on the water’s edge, has a charming terrace with an arched belvedere framing sea views. The small church has a vaulted ceiling and stone walls. Built on the ruins of a Byzantine church in the 19th century, the beautiful whitewashed chapel of the Lady of the Sea is surrounded by a spacious courtyard which overlooks the sea.
post 23/365
Amine El Bacha, born in 1932, spends most of his time in his studio in Beirut and in Cafes, writing, drawing or painting. He is considered one of the masters of Lebanese art. His art adorns the walls of some of the most famous institutions,museums, and collectors’ homes all over the world. His colorful paintings and watercolors are always full of light. His work is truly outstanding. His art is one of passion, of purity and tranquility depicting only the beautiful. If you are like me, one of those who look to art to provide shelter from the disorientation of the modern world, then you will find eternal bliss looking at El Bacha’s paintings. Continue reading
post 22/365
Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship, usually cordial, formal or informal, between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. Continue reading
365 Days of Lebanon 