First impressions - Beirut

Been in Beirut for almost 30 hours now and unfortunately I'm really sick. My head is pounding, my throat hurts, and my nose is running non-stop, but I'm coping (relatively) bravely and have still been out and about a lot (although a bit slower).

Yesterday, when I arrived, my Couchsurfing host ordered a taxi to the airport for me so I wouldn't get ripped off. Then he welcomed me into his home, but then had to go back to work and dropped me off on the shopping street. There, I experienced a reverse culture shock once again; Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Nike, Adidas, H&M, Vero Moda - I felt like I was in Europe! The girls were also all dressed up, with lots of makeup on their faces. Although I had gotten used to my natural, makeup-free identity, I felt a bit like a bum without makeup and in sweatpants, so I decided to settle down in a cafe to find out more about what there is to do in Beirut. I spent some time there and then went to a supermarket and got something to eat.

For those who know me, you know how much I love supermarkets and, as it turns out, Lebanese supermarkets are paradise for me! Oh my God, there are so many different sweets, the same brands we know but flavors that we don't have! And everything is available in individual portions. My mood was skyrocketed hahaha

However, while eating, I felt the difference in prices compared to Cairo for the first time - Beirut is so damn expensive, more expensive than Düsseldorf!

Then I had to quickly go to my host because he wanted to go out, and I met Nancy, a German girl who happens to be flying to Istanbul next!

The two of them went to play poker, but I just had to lie down because I felt so weak.

This morning, Charbel, my host, was already gone when I woke up. I took my time getting ready and put on makeup for the first time in what felt like forever!

Then I set off, walked halfway across the city, and ended up in souks, which can be compared to our beloved Königsallee!

So honestly, what comes to mind when you think of Lebanon? For me, it was: food, Middle East, neighboring Syria, and I didn't know much more. Now that I'm here, I realize: lots of wealth, thousands of skyscrapers, many of them apartment buildings with doormen, lots of expensive shops, a few run-down houses in between, security, a few houses that are still damaged from the civil war, thousands of American chain stores (Shake Shack, MAC, Victoria's Secret, etc)! Definitely not at all what I would have expected.

I then met a Lebanese guy at Starbucks today, maybe I'll do something with him! Apparently, you can drive to the mountains in half an hour and it's supposed to be really beautiful.

As for the men; all very stylishly dressed and handsome, I feel like they take longer in the bathroom than I do!

Then I met up with Nancy and we went to the National Museum, which was also very classy.

So Beirut is a luxury place, dear people, and probably safer than downtown!

We're about to have Lebanese food now (finally - I just came for the food) and I'll report back next time!