Faqra, Lebanon

So today I had off of school as well because of the Eid, so I went to Faqra, which is in the mountains, with my Aunt Wajiha, her friend and her daughter. On our way to lunch, we stop by Faqra's Roman Ruins and natural made bridge; I got some amazing pictures. But first the morning started of with getting my first turkish coffee reading. I have read a lot about this and found it very interesting, I think it is always good to open your mind to new things, even if you do not believe in it. And think about it, how can you know if you do not believe in something, if you have never experience it. 

My coffee being read...

So how it works is you drink Turkish coffee, flip the cup towards you and as the coffee dries, they read the coffee streaks. So my fortune was that I always have a lot in my head, I have a good heart, um that I am enjoying Lebanon, that I have bought a lot of gifts for people back home (so true ha), that I am always looking to study, and again she repeated I have a lot in my head. The lady said my reading was a lot like my mom <3

So heres my cup, if anyone wants to take a crack at it.. haha. After the reading you are supposed to put your finger on the bottom and make a wish :)

 views of the ride up

These ruins were a small sight, compared to Baalbek in Lebanon, but still breath taking... 

:)

This view reminded me of the newest King Kong movie when they were first walking into Skull Island.. anyone agree? ha

<3 Tante Wajiha

can you find me?

the village

The Natural Bridge, self explanatory 

Bhamdoun

Today I went to the mountains for the Eid, it was filled with scrumptious food and four generations of 

El Fadl's.   

cutest little second cousin 

Teta Coucou <3

yummmy.... <333

Four Generations, so happy I could finally be a part of it :)

What A Walk Can Bring

So walking forty minutes to and from school everyday really gives me a lot of time to reflect on my decisions and observe the place/people around me. I have come to realize some things...

1) To say this delicately, men here are not discreet when you (female) walk by.

2) The more I see people, the more they remind me of people I know back home. I always have to take a second look and remind myself where I am. I feel no one is truly original in there appearance. Haha

3) I have realized in myself the difference of needing and wanting something. I have been thinking a lot and this experience has really made me notice that the things I thought I needed in life were not just. They were things I just wanted and could live without.

4) The city of Beirut is interseting because in its architecture tells the story of the nation. There are building being built and remolded all over, however the still are some buildings that show a past of war, standing as a testament of what the city has been through. Beirut is truly the phoenix city, being destroyed and rebuilt 7 times.

5) And lastly, no matter what happens when I get home, I will never regret this decision of coming to Lebanon. This was something I needed to do for myself and it was well-worth it. I am truly, as cliche as this might sound, getting to know who I am as a person and realize I how independent I am. Live life with no regrets.

So going to Bhmound tomorrow for the Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan month. 

Bekaa Valley & El -Mhatta

My cousin Tarek & I drove to the Bekaa Valley because he wanted to get some saj & labneh. But I started to think why we would drive so far just for some labneh. I soon found out why, it was the best labneh I ever had. Tarek bought me a labneh sandwich filled with green olives, tomatoes, zaatar & olive oil on saj. It was so simple but sooooo amazing, so worth the drive. The view driving to the Bekaa Valley was nothing short of breath taking

At Night, my Ammo Nabil and I walked to El-Mhatta, where we had some ice cream, yummy, and did some shopping. :)

View of the Drive

yay for the use of solar power Lebanon

you could see the whole Valley

best Labneh..yummy

..view from cocou's house

El-Mhatta

we could not decide what flavors to get......so Nabil ask for all of them....... best idea ever. ha

hehe

Long Beach Club, Beirut

After class today, I meet my Uncle Nabil, Uncle Hussein and my cousin Jad at Long Beach for some swimming and fishing :) Then I was off to the Mountains until Sunday :)

the beautiful water

ammo nabil & i

fishey

some of the fish

the Final Numbers:  Ammo Hussein : 15 fish (he was fishing the longest )

Jad: 2 fish

Me: 3 fish

See those Black things.. those are the fish. the water is sooo clear you could see the fish around your bait.... just taunting you haha

pretty view fishing :)

Beirut, Lebanon

I have been posting for a few days because I have finally fit into a routine of

-waking up at 7:30am breakfast

-leaving the house at 8:10am

-arriving to school at 9am

-leave school at 12

-arrive back home at 1

-then lunch

-nap

-study.

haha.. yeah exciting. i know. hence, not really posting lately.

on sunday my teta and aunt went to a latin restaurant. it had the coolest chandelier, 

it was stocked with liquor bottles.. i want 

miss everyone :)

Jounieh, Lebanon

On Friday, August 19th my Aunt Wajiha,  Uncle Jamil and my Teta went to a Naamani reunion (my mother's side of the family)...yeah I could not even tell you who I met. I smiled, kissed and hugged a lot of people, soo I lost track. But it was nice and for usually an ungodly amount of food was served. 

And Saturday, I went to the beach all day with my aunt and uncle, I am kinda excited because my skin has gotten to the point were it no longer burns, just tans :) 

A few weeks back, when I went to charity event with my uncle and Teta, my Teta won a gift certificate for a dinner for 4; so for dinner my uncle, aunt, Hussein and I decided to finally use it. It was for a place called Al-Sabil.  The place was beautiful and the food was amazing, definitely one of the best dinners I have had.

so much food....

and dessert.... mind you this is all at 12:00am.

Al- Sabil

this was just the 1st course (of 5) 

One of the mantra's I am living by here, is keep an open mind, try everything, at least once. So this is proof.. this here is tongue. And I must say, I rather enjoyed it. haha (I can imagine Zack right now freakin out) But it is very delicious, I thought it would be very tough,  to my surprise it is very tender. It taste just like meat. Always Keep an open mind.

I do know why, but I love this, its just pita bread that has been put in the oven. But it is just sooo good.

at 11:00pm the restaurant had an arabic band and yes.. a belly dancer. A Mexican Belly dancer. (random?)

 Hassan enjoyed her..... 

as did my uncle jamil

the dessert...