Riviera Hotel Beirut

... city to check out here in Damascus. It's ok Beirut was a bust...I am more interested in Syria and I am getting a great reception everywhere I turn. Except at that van office of course. But you can't say that is a Syrian problem..I've traveled the globe and taxis will try to rip anyone and everyone off. That is about all that is consistent across the world and that is why I avoid them whenever I can. I will report back later what I find in this loud, crowded, vibrant city.<br><br><br>

... but the people working there were extremely nice. I have to say that the people here are awesome, totally nice to American's. All smiles and willing to help as much as possible. Then when I say thanks in Arabic they are even happier, the city is definitely growing on me! I guess the people think that Politics are Politics and that the people of America don't represent what the Politics stand for, so they actually like us!! Anyone that is worried to come ...

... la "Place de l'Etoile" (in french) au centre de laquelle se dresse une tour/horloge élevée par notre sponsor Rolex. La traversée du petit quartier, hier dans la soirée, ne fut pas sans provoquer chez moi un certain vertige, partagé entre le sourire (la prouesse est tout de même remarquable), le réconfort (le luxe a tout de même ...

... I saw 2 Lamborghinis (I doubt those guys were living at home though). This is definitely a country that loves its luxurious items and loves buying on credit. We stayed at the bar until close to closing time. Some of the guys were going out to a night club but I wasn't interested as I had a day trip to the south of Lebanon planned. I met a taxi driver who hangs out in our hostel and he offered us a good price to take us to a few interesting sights south of the country. Kimo and ...

... unforgettable as I had so much fun with the people I was with, the music was incredible, and the atmosphere was unbeatable. I highly highly recommend going here if you are ever in Beirut and are looking for something unique to do. The next day I slept until early afternoon while LuAyy had meetings. Then he picked me up and we had lunch with the group we were with the last night. We went to Lord of the Wings in Jamayzeh that's perfect for ...

... 11-3am. The streets downtown are totally deserted, save for police, army, and private security hanging outside every building. It's a truly eerie scene. You walk among the well manicured downtown streets, getting a watchful eye at every corner from a dude with an assault rifle lazily hanging from his shoulder. At times it was almost exactly like Metal Gear or some other video game, with the guards faces covered in black against ...

... demanded each of our cameras. With no real choice we handed them over reluctantly and they went about systematically deleting all of the pictures we had taken in Hizbullah-controlled Beirut. It was a shame they deleted them because, as we tried to explain to the Hizbullah officials, it is surely in the interests of both them and the Lebanese people for Western tourists to take photos to bring back home and draw attention to the plight of these people, which is not ...

... few things at the supermarket for the YFC drop-in later tonight. The Lays in Lays Potato Chips is actually spelled "Liz" in Arabic. We went to the YFC center in Elissar for the first time (first for Ed and me, at least) and brainstormed about painting ideas. We sketched a few things on the walls. The kids showed up and we played games for several hours with them. There was no organized program with them, just a fun games night. We'd brought ...

... boasts its own well preserved Roman ruins, and the trip to and from this remote outpost gave us a chance to appreciate the country's diverse countryside. We must have a thing for Roman ruins because Baalbek blew us away. Although it is significantly smaller than Jerash, Baalbek is reputed to be the best preserved example of Roman monument anywhere in the world. The Baalbek complex consists of three large temples surrounded by several sets of large walls that were erected by its ...

... to see the building - which apparently is still structurally sound - in its bullet riddled state, surrounded by other luxury hotels with stunning views over the sea. i had a stroll along the corniche - the sea front promenade. its quite a place to be seen. old men are playing backgammon, young lads cruising along in their cars with the windows down and music blaring, families out enjoying the sunshine, people fishing (even saw someone almost ...