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Walk Beirut
Blog: Ottsworld - 31 March 2011
“Why did you come here in February? It’s the worst month for weather; it’s so unpredictable.” This was the common question I was asked throughout Lebanon. The sky was heavy with moisture and dark clouds rolled in over the Mediterranean; it was pouring rain yet again. The taxi driver dropped me off near the medical [...]
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Bombed Beirut – A Personal Tour
Blog: Ottsworld - 29 March 2011
Today was my day to go walking through time; a walk through downtown Beirut photographing the bombed buildings which still exist in the Beirut skyline. I was in shock of the hundreds of bullet holes scarring the buildings and that’s when I saw him; a security guard of some type motioning at me. I immediately [...]
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The patriarch and the pecking order
Blog: ginger beirut - 22 March 2011
Beyond the obvious differences in the traditional roles of men and women, living in a society where basic rights depend on gender holds the occasional eyeopener. I have become accustomed to people assuming I don’t work, don’t drive, and do 100% of the cooking. I wasn’t overly surprised to be receive consoling comments about expecting [...]
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Middle Eastern Visitation Rights
Blog: Ottsworld - 22 March 2011
I sat on the formal couch and listened to the Arabic words swirling around me; lightening fast and coming from every direction. I looked at the people surrounding me and took note of their gestures and facial expressions. I tried to piece together the puzzle of what was being said, but I knew that was [...]
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Streets of Beirut XXXIII
Blog: ginger beirut - 18 March 2011
The Lebanese are not particularly scared of heights. They eat, nap and smoke wherever their work takes them.
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Photo of the Week – Lebanon Landscapes
Blog: Ottsworld - 18 March 2011
Lebanon is a country of contrasts and nothing displays that more than the landscapes around the country. I was lucky enough to stay in the country for an entire month and moved around outside of the hub of Beirut. My travels took me to old, ancient cities and ruins of Saida, Tripoli, Byblos, Anjar, and [...]
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The Culture of War
Blog: Ottsworld - 17 March 2011
“Things may start shaking, so don’t make any plans on February 14th. ” said Walid. ‘Shaking’ was Walid’s term for instability. He went on to explain the significance of February 14th to the Lebanese; this was the date that Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated in a violent explosion that rocked Beirut right back into [...]
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Culture Up in Smoke
Blog: Ottsworld - 15 March 2011
“Put, Put, Puuuut, Putttttt, Puttttt, Purrrrrttttttt….”The slurping, whirring, bubble noise broke through the background lounge music startling me. Next came the sweet smell of apple wafting through the air, hanging there enveloping the entire area in a haze. This same scene went on ever night in ever corner of Lebanon. Lebanon was always smoking; smoking [...]
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My new-found paranoia
Blog: ginger beirut - 14 March 2011
Each stage in life provides a very different window on the world. I am sure as a child I would have found Beirut to be a fantastic playground – all those empty properties to explore, the crumbling stairways to nowhere, the tightrope impressions to be had from the occasional remaining beam in a first floor. [...]
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In Search of Souks
Blog: Ottsworld - 8 March 2011
One of my favorite things about Arabic culture is the souk culture. I was first introduced to souks on my first trip abroad to Turkey. I still remember walking through the Grand Bazaar thinking that it was the most bizarre place I had ever been. Then I traveled to Morocco and was introduced to Fes [...]
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Photo of the Week – Beirut
Blog: Ottsworld - 4 March 2011
A stunning set of rocks welcome you to the city of Beirut. Pigeons’ Rock (also known as the Rock of Raouché) is located at Beirut’s western-most tip, the two huge rock formations stand like gigantic sentinels to the city. Locals love to walk along the corniche (seaside promenade) at any time of day, but during [...]
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Lebanon Contrasts
Blog: Ottsworld - 3 March 2011
Lebanon is such a confusing country. It is full of contrasts everywhere you look and with each person you talk to. Just when you think you understand it, you realize you don’t. I think only people who are native to here can begin to understand it. Living in Lebanon means living in uncertainty. It’s an [...]
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Travel Warnings and Decisions
Blog: Ottsworld - 1 March 2011
Please Note: The actual timeframe of this blogpost occurred in the end of January. All is currently fine in Lebanon now. My blog runs about a month behind my reality while traveling. So no need to worry about my safety – this is old news! I looked out the window and wondered if I had [...]
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One year on
Blog: ginger beirut - 19 February 2011
Ginger Beirut has now been online for a full year. In that time the page with the most hits on this site is About me… so now it’s time to talk about you, about those who visit this blog. Over the past year, this site has drawn readers from the most far-flung corners of the [...]
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Streets of Beirut XXXII
Blog: ginger beirut - 18 February 2011
Taken near the Roman baths downtown, best seen lit up at night.
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Streets of Beirut XXXI
Blog: ginger beirut - 11 February 2011
When the builders first arrived at a beautiful though dilapidated house nearby, they cleaned the debris from the triple arches in the façade, and for a while I wondered if the new owner planned to restore the property. A few days later a heap of rubble replaced the building, quashing this unrealistic hope. The bulldozer [...]
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Word of mouth
Blog: ginger beirut - 8 February 2011
How did you hear about our services? A frequent multi-choice question used by companies on surveys to evaluate their marketing efficiency. Please tick: Friend or family, website, advertising… In Lebanon, there’s rarely need to read all the options; the first box wins hands down. After a long stint of traditional B2C advertising, word of mouth [...]
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Streets of Beirut XXX
Blog: ginger beirut - 8 February 2011
A street cleaner chats with the hotdog seller on a rare quiet night in Gemmayze.
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The small talk of war
Blog: ginger beirut - 30 January 2011
Lebanon has long been featured on government lists of countries not to visit, even tasting a dubious notoriety as the No1 fascinating country that Uncle Sam doesn’t want you to visit, in a recent ranking. Peace is not a realistic term around here, and periods of calm are as reliable as good weather is in [...]
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Streets of Beirut XXIX
Blog: ginger beirut - 22 January 2011
This is the ideal type of property for a growing Lebanese family. A floor per generation and a shared terrace for fresh air and hanging out the laundry. Everyone within shouting distance, free childcare from the older generations downstairs, help around the home from the two upper flats, and entertainment from the youngest additions. Of [...]
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What’s new in Zawarib Beirut
Blog: ginger beirut - 18 January 2011
In this tiny country, forever caught in a cycle of construction, destruction and reconstruction, the landscape changes fast, and Zawarib Beirut is determined to keep up. Only five years old, the first edition of this road map of Greater Beirut had already been left behind by developments in the infrastructure. This brave venture by Bahi [...]
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Baalbek: Roman Ruins, Wine, and Prosciutto in Hezbollah Territory
Blog: London Cosmopolitan - 15 January 2011
A lot can drastically change
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Streets of Beirut XXVIII
Blog: ginger beirut - 14 January 2011
If you’ve walked all along the Corniche to this point, after the Manara and Raouché… …then it’s a good time to stop off at the Pâtisserie Ghazi Al Hallab & Fils for some delicious znoud al sitt pastries.
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What are the Lebanese like?
Blog: ginger beirut - 12 January 2011
In the weeks while I was disposing of a year’s supply of clotted cream and croissants, Ahwet el-Ezez closed, the water tanks are finally full, the LA Times covered the issues surrounding Horsh Beirut and no indictment was issued though the government has fallen – yet again. Staying in my former homes and visiting old [...]
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Streets of Beirut XXVII
Blog: ginger beirut - 7 January 2011
How many people can you fit on a moped? At least they are all over five. When you see babies transported with the same teetering nonchalance, the mind begins to boggle. For tips on driving in Beirut see here.
