Maybe I am a little brave.
No, not Lebanon, Maine.
Lebanon. The country. In the Middle East.
It borders Syria.
I am flying Qatar Airways, with a layover in Doha. Doha, Qatar.
Qatar! I mean, I will just be in the airport, but still. I will be in a country on the Persian Gulf.
This is a little scary. But, a lot exciting.
My best friend is Lebanese, Canadian and she is going to Lebanon to get married.
This means I am getting to go to a wedding in Lebanon. How could I miss it?
When I travel somewhere new, I like to be surprised. This means I don't like to research or read about tourist things to do before I arrive. I don't even want to see pictures.
So, I approached this trip the same way. The few people I know who have been there have raved about how amazing it is. I wasn't worried. Well, not that worried.
But, yesterday I was on the beach with one of my oldest friends. She told me I should probably read up about where I am going. She's been telling me this all week. I mean, I have read Tom Friedman's From Beirut to Jerusalem so I am not completely ignorant about where I am going. But... that book was written in 1989.
So, I googled "Is Lebanon safe?"
BAD IDEA.
Um, the State Department has a travel warning for Lebanon:
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon because of the threats of terrorism, armed clashes, kidnapping, and outbreaks of violence, especially near Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Well, actually, I think ignorance is pretty much always bliss. Isn't it?
I thought about cancelling my trip. I am an only child - my parents have no back up. This always weighs on my decisions, so I don't take a lot of risks.
It was stressful.
But, I figured this is a calculated risk. I mean, my friend is from Lebanon but she lives in Canada. She could easily and safely get married in Canada but she is choosing to get married in Lebanon. If she is making that choice, it can't be that bad.
So... no blog updates for a while.
I hope you miss me!
Please wish me a safe trip!!
Follow me on Instagram to see pictures from my trip!
Brave equates to being smart... As a person that has been to SWA many times, have a safe trip, don't wear your earbuds and have good SA of your surroundings! Enjoy the wedding and vacation... I am certain you will have plenty to write about when you get back! Looking forward to reading about your adventure!
ReplyDeleteThank you Douglas. No need for earbuds since I had not data in Lebanon! :) Also, at no moment did I ever feel unease after all. It was a great trip. Writing about it now!
DeleteYou will be fine Jen 😉
ReplyDeleteKnowing all these warning is a good thing to keep you alerted not terrified, just be cautious not scared!
You will go and come back with tons of beautiful photos , new experiences and life time good memories. Egypt and Lebanon and formerly Syria are the greatest Arab countries and add to that UAE in our modern world.
Enjoy it and be safe
Kareem
Thank you Kareem. You are right!
DeleteTell us about it ^^
ReplyDeleteI am going to tell you all about it in my book! I am also writing the blog about it right now. Stay tuned.
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