Hello Beirut!

Day full of impressions

Last night I arrived around midnight at my new home, I booked a taxi beforehand so I knew someone (Issam) was picking me up. I was really happy when I arrived in the appartment where I rent a room, it is super pretty. It is a very old house, 200 years old and therefore it is traditional, we even have a dining room! The objects in my living room can be found at any hipster cafe's or musea, e.g. grammofoon. But also beautiful carpets on the wall and the floor that are around 90 years old, paintings and stained glass. It's my own small palace!

picture: Istanbul from the plane and art

Today I had my introduction at Saint-Joseph University, so first I needed to take a 'service'. Which is a informal taxi in Beirut, it is cheaper than a normal taxi as you can share it with other people. You pay 2000 LBP. During this trip I was amazed by the city, and the traffic (which is crazy). Last night I couldn't really see the city so this short ride was really nice! At the university we got few introductions and met the director of the faculty of Humanities, afterwards we drank a coffee at the French embassy with our supervisor from Louvain. The embassy was guarded by a huge tank and some sort of douane. The embassy is really chill with a big spacious grassfield and there is also a library where you can study and the café to eat something.

Picture: view from University of Beirut

During the afternoon I went with my roommates to Urban Gardens in Saifi, which was nice and the coffee there is great! This place is very relaxed with fresh coffee, backgammon and shisha. They also offer Arabic courses and have a nice view from their rooftop + bar (I didn't see this yet though!).

Pictures: Saifi Urban Garden, colored stairs at Mar Mikhael & my street

Actually it is difficult to catch all the impressions of my day. I got more aware of some struggles I will face during the process of my thesis regarding data collection and methodology. I still need to figure out some kind of plan and how/what, in the meantime I am waiting for guidance from my supervisor from Groningen. This will hopefully help me to cut some knots, and sort everything out. I will meet with our Lebanese methodology supervisor on Monday anyway :).

Furthermore, I feel I need to adjust a lot to my new hometown. Traffic is crazy, there are no rules and its the most dangerous aspect of Beirut. So be carefull! We also encountered children who just hanged around my entire body begging for money/food, this is just heartbreaking and there are so many of them. My roommate told me this is organized crime, these children are in labour for some guys who drop them in the morning and pick the money up during the day in exchange for food/shelter/drugs. I only saw them at one place, so I am not sure yet if they are everywhere in the city.

Overall, I am just overwhelmed (maybe a little overheat?). So much to see; small streets, little shops, big shops, fancy cars, chique restaurants but also war-torn houses. Landmarks of war are everywhere, bullet holes or partly destroyed houses are common and sometimes just located next to a skyscraper. Skyscrapers are widespred throughout the city, it is impressive and everything under construction.

I will end by telling you how friendly the people are. Very helpfull, I even learned some Arabic from the taxidriver. Male (don't know if I spelled it correctly) means something like no problem. I also know how to thank people now and say hello. Goodnight is really difficult, don't remember that. My roommate also told me some word that you tell people when they showered, maybe that means happy showering? happy your are clean? I will ask tomorrow because I forgot the word and the correct meaning.