Reflections on Journeys in Lebanon and Jordan

 
On a personal note, it was wonderful celebrating Christmas with my grandparents, uncle and aunt, and now grown up cousins who have become skiing champions at Faraya since my last visit 5 years ago.  My fondest memories entailed walking the narrow streets of Achrafieh and smiling at the sight of families sharing quality time with each other and reinforcing their family bonds.  The huge mall ABC was bustling with shoppers completing their Christmas gift lists deliberately ignoring fears generated by the global recession.  Wherever I went, I heard the warm and comforting voice of Fairouz over loudspeakers singing the Arabic version of "Jingle Bells."  Most remarkable to me was the unwavering resilience of the Lebanese people to continue with their lives despite all adversity.  In spite of the devastation of the 2006 war, or perhaps fueled by it, and in spite of continued political instability, the Lebanese refuse to give up, consistently maintaining hope in their future and living their lives to the fullest.   The Lebanese are used to dealing with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and our success is in large part attributed to our ability to overcome them.

 At Harissa, I reflected on an exceptional 2008, and I thanked God for the bountiful gifts he has given me.  Ruminating on the Lebanese model of persistence and hope, I felt proud of my heritage.  Most importantly, I understood that with persistence, hard work, and the right attitude, anything is possible, including the realization of the dream for lasting peace and prosperity in Lebanon.    
 
A couple days later, I left the hustle and bustle of Beirut for a day of tranquility in the mountains, driving to wherever the road would lead me and enjoying spectacular scenery in the snow-covered Tannourine region.  My most poignant reflections were inspired by the beautiful village of Bcharr�.  This ancient town is nestled in a remote area high in the mountains above the Kadisha valley.  Bcharr� features beautiful architecture, red tiled houses, and outstanding views.  Of course, it is most famous as the home of Khalil Gibran, one of the most inspirational men of the 20th century.  Visiting his childhood home, I was struck by the power of Gibran's humble origins, particularly how a family of eight shared a very simple one room home!  Living in a society dominated by consumerism and materialism, I reflected on how Gibran's background influenced this man to become a profound philosopher and one of the world's greatest poets and writers.  Clearly, Gibran understood the concept of "substance over form."  My visit to Bcharr� reminded me to seek the truth that lies beneath the surface, and that one's treasure lies where his heart is.  
             
After Lebanon, I traveled through Jordan and visited the magnificent and remarkably well-preserved Roman ruins at Jerash, the towering crusader castle Krak de Montreal, and the rugged landscape of the desert at Wadi Rum.    Atop Mount Nebo, I marveled at the wide expanse of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea and was amazed to see as far as Jerusalem and Bethlehem, praying that one day peace will prevail in the Holy Land.  At Petra, I was mesmerized by the beauty of "this rose-red city half as old as time."  While I had seen many pictures of Petra's famous "Treasury," trekking through the massive ruins was an unforgettable experience that caused my imagination to run wild.  The journey began walking through the "Siq," a narrow canyon that seemed to serve as a time portal transporting me back centuries to Petra's glory days.  Hidden at the end of the narrow Siq, Petra features the even larger "Monastery," hundreds of varied tombs, a Roman-style theatre, a Roman road, and countless other treasures.   Pondering how this great capital of the Nabatean empire eventually declined into a forgotten city, I considered the finite nature of all of man's creations, concluding that what is most important is not what we make, it's how we treat each other.  While civilization has put a man on the moon, much remains in terms of learning to love and respect each other so we can all live in peace.

 

I invite you to view my photo galleries from Lebanon, Jordan, as well as Paris, the streets and monuments of which were even more beautiful under a blanket of fresh snow, at alti.smugmug.com