REMEMBERING LEBANON

I loved our time a few years ago in Lebanon, what an interesting country! Janet and I were relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed the jubilation of a Lebanon which had just about recovered from fifteen years of brutal civil war, a Beirut that had rebuilt and restored its self-confidence and sophistication as the “Paris of the Middle East.” We were welcomed enthusiastically by Janet’s large family on both sides. We visited with her first cousins and their families in Beirut and in villages of the mountains behind Beirut and over the mountains, in the Bekaa Valley. We visited the ruins of Byblos, one of the most ancient cities of the world, the wineries of the Bekaa Valley and the family home in a village in the southern Bakaa Valley. We saw the treasures of Roman architecture at Baalbek, Anjar, Saida and Tyre. What shame that the region is once again torn by strife.

Looking south, over the Litani River in the Bekaa valley.

Jupiter’s Temple at Baalbek, across to the eastern side of the Bekaa Valley.

A delicious home cooked lamb and rice dinner

A cup of strong coffee follows dessert

Some of the family live in Shweir, high above Beirut.

Cousin Adel preparing a Sunday barbeque dinner for the family.

Looking west across the Bakaa Valley from Baalbek; Beirut and the Mediterranean coast is on the other side of the distant mountains.

Hills behind downtown Beirut

 As rebuilding continued, ancient ruins are preserved in the heart of downtown Beirut

Details of a Roman temple at Baalbek where so much is so well preserved.

A memorial of the 15 year civil war by Arman. His 1995 work Hope for Peace is 32 meters in high and contains 83 tanks and vehicles.