- Day 4 E-Mail & Photo Sampler -
Chouf Mountains - Beit et Dine, Jezzine, Sidon (Saida)
wow, what a day. had a driver to take us into the mountains. went to amazing palace up in the mountains. is exactly image you have when you think of exotic castle/palace where everything is inlaid marble, baths (they were shooting a movie in the courtyard\). there was a display of mosaics that was amazing, wish Peggy could have seen it.
leaving were unsure where to go, suggested to driver go the Cedar preserve, he asked the way to people on street. is amazing here, none of the macho jive about not asking directions. everyone stops whatever they are doing to answer, be they cop, military, storekeeper, other cabby, or guy walking down the street. after three questions and three different answers we picked up a guy who said he would show us. it quickly became evident we were giving him a ride where he needed to go ;) our driver was very confused, but we had a map and it looked like we were headed south and decided to go with the flow, ran into some guys walking down the street in a mountain town that spoke English, one's sister lives in Torance, they convince the driver we are not going to cedars but on to Jezzine and then down to Saidon.
drive along cedar preserve area through chouf mountains is spectacular. old buildings, new buildings, orchards, terraces. Jezzine is where river drops over cliff/escarpment. stop for lunch/ at restaurant perched on cliff overlooking valley. slight mist/rain ad fabulous view. no-one speaks English, but everyone is fluent in French (except us!)
down to Sidon, is amazing city of contrasts. stop at sea castle for a quick walk and then back up the coast.
now heading off to dinner
tomorrow is Bekaa Valley (Baalbek and environs, way serious roman ruins) and
day after is to Damascus in Syria to major shopping opportunities. Things
are cheap here, but expected better deals there. not sure when will be
able to email. write back, are feeling homesick, miss you all.
-Patrick and Keith in Lebanon 9/14/02 9:07pm local
(not sleeping much, no time to waste)
SEE DAY 4 PHOTO ALBUM FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS DAY.