Beirut

I arrived on a flight from Cairo with what seemed like five hundred screaming kids onboard. The ratio between parent and child was easily 1:4. After getting my head rubbed and drooled on for two minutes by a two year old, I ran off the plane to safety. Customs was a lot less stressful than I expected. I was asked if it was my first time in Lebanon – “Yes, it is,” I answered, expecting to be interrogated. “Welcome, my friend, enjoy your visit!” Boo yah!!

Immediately after passing through the security doors I was approached by taxi drivers. Didn’t think I stood out in the crowd considering my tan keeps improving. Spending over a week in the HOT Egyptian desert sun would make anyone a few shades darker. Anyways, I added a few bucks to what I coined the, ‘welcoming take advantage of the tourist’ fund. (You always pay more from the airport than what you should)

The morning before my flight, I had some laundry washed at the hostel. They said it would be dry by 2pm (I was leaving at 3:30pm). I think everyone knows where this is going. When I threw my backpack on the bed in my hotel room I immediately unpacked all the damp clothing and sprawled it all over the room – on any hanger or corner I could find. I was in bed by 10pm, hoping to get an early fresh start to the morning.

The following day I ate the breakfast buffet that was included in my room at the Mayflower Hotel. Packed up all my, now, dry clothing and ventured out to find my next night’s accommodation. I moved my backpack to my new place and set off to find some food to cure my hunger pains. That’s where I am at now, sitting at a café down the street from Place de l'Etoile.