update...

[somuchforhope]

in Beirut now, staying with Razan in Achrifieh... relationship potential seems to have reached a dead end, unfortunately... though not for any of the reasons I ever expected (nothing to do with any religious, cultural, traditional differences whatsoever)... but, we can still be close friends, I think... back to searching for my Arab princess, I

Comments

[optimussven]

So are you going to be back in Syria around the 17-24 when I'll be around? Not saying you have to rush back or anything, just wondering.

Also, I've been working on a travel website for the greater Middle East. I should be ready to go live in March. We definitely should fo some cross-promotion.

[somuchforhope]

sadly, i'm not planning on heading back to syria until march at this point... i'm enjoying the weather here along the coast much more than the constant rain (and mud) in syria

[optimussven]

Actually, I just bought my ticket yesterday and the cheapest flights were through Beirut, so I'll be rolling into town on the 16th. Probably stay one night at least.

[somuchforhope]

nice... where do you intend to stay? razan is heading back to damascus for her break in a couple of days, so unless i find someone else to stay with i might end up at talal's hotel or pension al-nazih near the bus station (both $6/night for a dorm bed) by the 16th.

are you flying back out of beirut, too? or...?

[optimussven]

I was planning on staying at one of those as well. So if you end up there let me know and perhaps make a reservation for me if you could. That'd be a big help. I happen to prefer Nazih to Talal, but both are good. Let me know what you end up doing. If you find someone to stay with go for it as I can set it up myself as well.

[somuchforhope]

I'm staying at Talal's now. The owner over at Nazih always acts like a dick towards me, so even though that place is cleaner I prefer Talal's. But I could make you a reservation at either place, let me know when.

I'm considering traveling back to Damascus sooner than later, I'm getting to that point with Beirut, and it's been too rainy to travel around. I really just wanted to stay for the demonstration yesterday. So, perhaps I'll travel with you (though I'll probably have the bus leave me at the Syrian border, since they take like an hour to process my entry because of my special circumstance).

[optimussven]

Don't worry about the reservations. I managed to use credit card reward points to get myself two free nights up in Verdun. So I'll be arriving tomorrow and then leaving on Saturday (most likely) for Damascus. I figure I'll probably have had enough of Beirut by then, if not I can always move over to Talal's and extend. So if you end up wanting to head back to Syria that'd be cool. Anyway, what'd be the best way to get in touch with you when I get settled in in Beirut?

[somuchforhope]

well, mobile service is still ridiculously expensive in Lebanon, so the only way to reach me is to call Talal's and ask for me. I think I'm the only American named Daniel staying here, and if I'm at the hotel just leave me a message. 01-562567 is the number...

I'm not sure if by "tomorrow" you meant you are arriving today (Thursday) or Friday, but try giving me a ring whenever you get to your hotel. Today it is sunny for the first time in days, so I'm thinking to go to Jbail, but I'll be back around 7PM and don't have any plans for the evening.

How long are you planning to stay in Syria before going to Jordan? And will you just be in staying Damascus or are you going to travel around some?