It’s semantics. In India, poorer neighborhoods where Indians live are called “slums.” In Lebanon, poorer neighborhoods where Palestinians live are called “refugee camps.” Yet I saw no evidence of what the media conjures up for us: there...
Beirut: A cosmopolitan, urban city policed by carbine-armed soldiers, where ferraris and BMWs park next to armored tanks, where glass-paned high-end boutique shops neighbor derelict husks of concrete bombed out by a 10 year old conflict. There are military...
Now that I’m in Lebanon, I can tell you about entering. Upon arriving in Beirut, I was asked to fill out the visa information. Not knowing the address of the hotel, (Calvin had made the reservations and was coming in on a later flight) I left that part blank....
“Sir, have you ever visited Israel?” “Never.” “OK, go.” I know this routine. I’ve heard about it ever since I started traveling. The rule is that if you ever been to Israel and show evidence of it with a stamp in your...
Guess what’s been issued as I’m about to embark on my journey into Lebanon today: The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon due to current safety and security concerns. U.S. citizens living and working in...
