This weekend we had the chance to make a few new friends. It is crazy how easy it is to find new friends here. First we met Jalal, through our friend Jesse who teaches with us. She brought him out Friday night, and he brought some of his friends. He is from Canada, but is also Lebanese. He has a lot of family here, and even though he has only been here 3 weeks, he knows a lot about Beirut. Sunday, Jesse met Jamil, who happens to be our neighbor, because they were both walking their dogs. We were having brunch Sunday, so she invited Jamil up. This is why this is such a great place, you meet someone, suggest they join you at a friend's house that they have never met, and it ends up being amazing. He is finishing his PhD in Finance in Rome, but his family is here. He immediately was talking to us about bringing us to his family's house in the mountains, and all the restaurants he wants to take us too. Gretchen, Mike, Ryan, Jesse and I were ecstatic at the prospect of more locals taking us around.
That night, Gretchen, Mike, Ryan and I went with their landlord to dinner. First, he had us up to his place, and it was so impressive. He is originally from Baghdad and has collected many amazing pieces all over his house. He took us to a Lebanese restaurant just north of downtown Beirut called Fawzi. It was so great to have him just take over and order for us. Once again, the food kept coming out with each dish more delicious than the previous, including baba ghanoush with pomegranate seeds. While we were there we got to see a great sunset.
Amazing kitchen cabinets A great rooftop
The dinner (part of it) The restaurant
Sunset over the Med.
Inside of the restaurant
