some guy in lebanon

This time of year can be a little awkward for me, history being what it is. More to the point, given that I’m all the way on the other side of the world, to be fair it’s more than just a little strange this year…! But luckily yesterday gave me lots of reasons to smile!

Yesterday was really spectacular though – It was Lebanese Independance Day and I awoke to a twenty-one gun salute that made my heart jump when it woke me up at 9:30. I had breakfast on the other side of town with Karma with some real Lebanese fouhl (I think that’s how it’s spelled), then spent the afternoon drinking and bbq’ing at Captain’s Cabin. In the evening, I celebrated Thanksgiving with Nick, Catherine, Andrew (Nick’s girlfriend and a co-worker of our’s at the Daily Star, respectfully), at their wonderful apartment in Harma. Along with several other Daily Star writers and Editors, and several friends of their’s, we FEASTED on a rather extraordinary array of Thanksgiving food (including an enormous Turkey), that we all agreed was pretty spectacular and very much exceeding even American standards.

Thank you to the cooks and the hosts!

By the end of the evening, it was apparent there was an important need to go bar hopping in Gemayze, having eaten and drank on nearly everyone else’s dollar all day. I met up with very nice Beiruti’s who work in Marketing at Procter & Gamble at some trendy place down Gemayze street. We promptly drank until late in the evening (How late? Won’t say!)

It was a wonderful day, a wonderful Thanksgiving and Lebanese Independence Day celebration, wonderful wonderful wonderful.

Missing everyone back home – hope you enjoy your holiday and that you’re not too cold this late in November!