New year, new path. A white beginning that started in the end of 2022. While marvelling at the majestic Cedars of Lebanon – or “Cedars of God” because of their spread branches towards the sky – over the holidays, I was getting mentally ready to dive in the multicultural British work life upon my return.ContinueContinue reading “Ila al Lika’”
Category Archives: Activities
Kafta or BAFTA?
In the day a senior investment banker, in the night an avid viewer of all things entertainment: meet Ms. Valerie H. (or “Val” as she likes to be called), a successful Lebanese-British businesswoman who, after tasting all possible cuisines in London for 10 years, still misses her Mom’s “Fatayer” (Spinach pies – refer to previousContinueContinue reading “Kafta or BAFTA?”
Hands joined
While it is propelling me internationally through my studies, Oxford brought me back home for one hour last weekend, during a Lebanese British mass held in the heart of the university. Black Friars Chapel, Dominican Studium University Hall “The crowd is usually minimal” confesses Father Shafiq Abou Zeid, who lives in Oxford but is originallyContinueContinue reading “Hands joined”
Follow your nose
Saida sea citadel A smell of fish, the fragrance of pure olive oil soap, aromatic fresh spices… this is how Saida, or Sidon (referring to “fishing” in Arabic) tells its story. Walk with me through the capital of the South in Lebanon and its third largest city. The sea citadel, or what remains of it,ContinueContinue reading “Follow your nose”
A perfect start
7h30 AM, clear blue sky, just the right breeze of 1,300m of altitude. The perfect time for a brisk walk before starting my day. I head to the road of the “jnaynet” or gardens, a narrow path surrounded left and right by different levels of plantations carrying little red, yellow and striped jewels: Kfardebian’s iconicContinueContinue reading “A perfect start”
A festive week
15 August marks an important religious occasion in Lebanon, which has become an official holiday as well: Eid el Saydeh, or the Day of the Virgin Mary. Unlike what most people assume, it does not celebrate the Holy Mary’s birthday, but the memory of her passing away. However according to the bible, the mother ofContinueContinue reading “A festive week”
Bye-bye summer
In July, the water did boil in the “kooz” as the proverb said two posts ago, but August brought much cooler temperatures especially after August 6, which marks Eid el Rab, or the Day of God, after which summer starts to end as per another Lebanese proverb. In Kfardebian where I am spending my summer,ContinueContinue reading “Bye-bye summer”
Charmed.
The Scottish COVID hit me much worse than the English one two years ago, hence my delay in sharing my trip experience! England-Scotland road As we drove in the late evening, the setting sun seemed to freeze in the purple sky. The more northern we reached the longer the days got, so for a fewContinueContinue reading “Charmed.”
From glass to “kooz”
Dear July, Thank you for finally being here. Although you are not as hot as in Lebanon, where they say “Bi tammouz, el may bteghle bel kooz”, or in other words: “In July, the water boils in the jug*”, you still brought a comfortable, warm weather with occasional showers, just to maintain the English summerContinueContinue reading “From glass to “kooz””
Party time!
As I turn the calendar to the month of June, the little girl in me jumps in excitement. Not only it is my birthday month, but it also announces the beginning of my favourite season: summer, and celebrates my favourite hobby: music. While I anticipate for my personal good times, the UK had its ownContinueContinue reading “Party time!”
Marhaba! Welcome to Lebnain! 