Careful with electricity if you rent a house/apart
by Delia_Madalina
I learned to appreciate the real value of flashlights and candles.
You might not feel it if you stay in a 5 stars hotel, but Lebanon is passing an electricity crisis. State supplies electricity to neighborhoods in turns for between 12 to 16 hours a day and most buildings or areas have their own generator. This is why I recommend you ask about this aspect before renting a house or an apartment. It can be awful during summer with no AC.
It happens that when you switch on several electronic devices at the same time, the electricity cuts. The golden rule is to switch on only one thing at a time.
The above is especially valid for Dahieh (the Southern suburb).
Marcel Khalife
by mano0ola
He is rarity in the world of music: a composer who refuses to bendto the whim of popular music dominated by sappy love songs and instead chooses to compose and sing songs of conscience and to expand the boundaries of music itself.In his commitment to social justice,he shares a place in the pantheon of world composers, including Chile's Victor Jara, whose hands were broken before he was killed by right-wing soldiers during the country's 1974 coup,and Cuba's Silvio Rodriquez. Like these two,Khalife prefers to compose and sing songs of the lives of ordinary and often disavantaged people caught in extraordinary circumstances:of mothers whose sons were killed in the Israeli-occupied Zone, of Palestinians lost without a passport and stranded in Cyprus, of lives destroyed by the civil war.
Cournich (manara)
by Moustafa_LB
the logical place to start a walking tour of beirut is the cournich. this is where Beirutis of all social classes and religious presuasions come to stroll, jog or rollblade, weather permitting. If you dont mind a long walk, start off by the pigeon rocks at raouche and make your way down the hill, maybe stoping at one of the seafront cafes along the way.
Beauty...and...
by themagiclake
In the hotel, you used to notice and listen to the adan...
5 times in the day, they call for pray...
ah and the bells of the church at 5.00 pm also every day...
this splendid mosque was next to a church, you came and saw with your own eyes, what is the real tolerance, and respect in the brotherhood of humans, Halla Hakbar you said...
Allahoo Akbar.. yes... and the Mouaden was saying it five time, in a great voice, but it seemed to be sad...you remember baby, it was really sad voice...!!!!
I wonder why?
AUB - The American University of Beirut
by miso80
"So that they may have Life and have it more abundantly" - this is the motto that's engraved on AUB's main gate, as you walk through it on Bliss St...I obtained my B.S. from this university, and I'm currently finishing up my M.S. as well. Its been said to be the most reputable university in the Middle East..however, the reason I write about it here, is not because of its standard of education (although if you get a chance to study here..dont miss it ;-) ) But I write about AUB because it is probably one of the greenest spots in Beirut..it has also got one of the most beautiful views of the Beirut Corniche and the mediterranean Sea.
In order to get into AUB, however, you must ask for permission. upon entering the main gate, you can ask the security how that is to be done. You may also, call and ask beforehand, and there are guides that actually take you around AUB and show you the different departments and landmarks within the university.
Take a camera and a light spirit, some comfortable shoes..and be ready to go around one of the best spots in Beirut!
(Will be adding more pictures VERY soon)