Batroun Village Country Club and Free Falafel with Arabic Lesson

Yesterday we woke to quite the surprise, it was raining. It hasn't been anything but sunny and beautiful here, so it was actually refreshing. It only rained for a little bit, but everything was a lot greener after. Plus, the streets were a little dirtier, since there really isn't a great drainage system here. But it did not stop us from boarding a bus to go to Batroun Village Country Club with some people from school. This was a beautiful trip up into the mountains where this huge country club was available for us to swim at for 20,000 Lebanese, around 15 bucks. They had all sorts of activities to do, like horse back riding, soccer, billiards, a restaurant and of course an amazing infinity pool that overlooked the sea. We spent all day lounging by the pool and relaxing. It was great to get out of the city and be able to swim again. When we were paying to get in, they told us girls with long hair had to wear a swim cap, so Jesse, Gretchen and I obeyed and purchased them. We looked at it as if we were synchronized swimmers of the past and found it exotic, to put a good spin on it. Turns out, most people didn't wear them, and by most I mean everyone else there. Oh well.

After lounging all day we came back to the city in time to watch the Liverpool game at Ryan's favorite place Moscow Mule, with our favorite bartender Diego. Liverpool lost for the first time, but it was still a fun game.

On our walk home we stopped to talk to the guys who run the falafel shop. They insisted we come in and sit and talk to them There are two guys that work there, and three teenagers that help out. We talked to them, teaching them some English, them teaching us some Arabic. Ryan went to buy a Falafel sandwich and they wouldn't let him pay, once again proving how generous the people here are.

Almost forgot to right about homecoming here! Friday was homecoming and for the big homecoming game it was the girls volleyball team vs the female faculty, followed by the boys team vs the male faculty. It is tough to get games here, especially this early, because so many schools around here are just getting back in session. Ryan and I played and our teams split with the kids. We were not about to let them win for their homecoming! It was a lot of fun, and some fans came out to support. Thanks to Jesse and Annie, we had some great signs too.

Here are pictures from the country club.

Swim caps are so hot right now. 

 Ryan wanted to rock the swim cap.

Ryan reliving his Riffraff days as a lifeguard. 

Pictures from the game. Not sure if this meant we don't score points or don't let points get scored on us....

Mike and Gretchen

Cute little Grace and Annie

Pregame huddle.

 The girls team.

An amazing experience

Yesterday we spent the day outside Beirut in a northern part called Batroun. It is in northern Lebanon, but it is just a quick and gorgeous trip up the coast. One of the girls in my department told us about this trip earlier this week, so we decided to give it a shot. Gretchen from Wisconsin, her husband Mike from Michigan, and our HS principal Fabio from Canada, all went on the trip.  Also on this trip were a couple from Iraq, now living in Beirut, 3 college  age Spaniards, just finishing a summer working at a resort in Byblos, and their boss, a woman from St Louis, who has been in Lebanon for a long time, and a few Lebanese people.  This trip was incredible. First stop was this incredible village called Rachane. One family lives in this area. They are a family if sculptors, so all over this extremely beautiful property were incredible sculptures made from stone and metal. Next stop wine! We went to a wine tasting at a monastery, Adyar.  It was amazing. Then on to an ancient fortress with amazing views if the mountains and sea. After that, another winery, Ilixr, which is completely organic and green. Then was lunch under a tree where some other Lebanese families were eating. Let me tell you, the rumors of how gracious the Lebanese are are not wrong. These people were sharing all their food with us, taking pictures, and talking away with us. It was all really surreal. I found myself stepping back and thinking how incredible it all was and how lucky we are to have these experiences. Truly amazing. After that was a weird part, a stop to a duck farm to see how foie gras is made....weird. Then another monastery for more wine. Now we are in the bus ride home.

The whole time I kept saying to Ryan what a truly hidden gem this country is from the rest of the world. It reminded me of Tuscany at times, or Turkey, or Rio, and so many others, but it isn't. It is Lebanon, a truly unique place with great people. 

Today should also be great. We are taking a hike with a sunset view up in the mountains. What an amazing country. 

Here are some pictures.

A grape vine at a monastery. 

One of the sculptures in Ranacha. 

The whole group. 

A fortress