More snow

Sunset at the Beirut Light House on January 1st, 2006

And this is what you see if you look the other way; the mountains with snow

January 2nd, up in the mountains of Zaarour; cousins

Eddie on the slope

Obi on his board

C. and I

It's December 5, 4:40 P.M. in Beirut, and 23 C! I am walking around in a T-shirt, but am still wearing my ski-pants as I just got back from the mountains. I couldn’t go skiing as I cannot get my foot into a ski boot yet, but we went up to the snow anyway. Zaarour this time, which is a little off the beaten path. Actually, I think we were the only ones in the entire resort town. It is only 35 km from Beirut, but not as popular as Feraya as it lies at 1,700 meters whereas Feraya is situated a good 200 meters higher which seemingly makes all the difference in the world, since I’ve never been able to ski at Zaarour; the ski was always sucky. When I left this afternoon, they had closed all slopes as the snow was melting fast. If it is not going to snow this weekend, then there will be no skiing next week.

The Cedars is even better, goes up to almost 3,000 meters, but there the drawback is the locals. First it’s 120 km from Beirut. Second; If you have ever seen that movie “Deliverance’ with Burt Reynolds, then you have a pretty good idea of what lives there. We once rented a chalet there, but they don’t like to rent to Muslims, so we (the women) had to do it. The guy that runs the complex saw us (my sister in-law) and I, and we’re so obviously not Lebanese, therefore we must be Christian. Then he saw the hubbies. He couldn’t figure those out. Their names were not religion-affiliated (In Lebanon, if you’re a Tony, you’re a Christian, and if you’re an Ahmed, you are a Muslim, but there a lot of names that will not indicate religion, as all religions use them). Their looks nor behavior gave anything away. But he wanted to make sure he wasn’t bringing in any kafirs, so he was checking us out. So he asked. “So where are you from?” Your city in general explains your religion. “Beirut.” “Yes, but where in Beirut?” (East probably means you’re Christian, West is Muslim). “Just, Beirut, you know,” was the reply. He wasn’t getting anywhere. “Taib, beit mien?” (“Okay, what’s your family name?). Family names are the final giveaway. But ours is not very known, and easily confused with similar ones in other religions. So hubbie gave his last name. “Oh, are you related to the patriarch Maouchie”? “Well, ah, not directly no.”
And the caretaker was happy; he had a couple of Christians on his hand. Sister in-law and I never liked the smug S.O.B., and he didn’t like us either . Lift lines were non existent, it was more or less a push and shove your way to the lift thing, and the behavior on the slope was rather rude as well. Maybe peasant-like is a better explanation. Anyway, we're back at skiing in Feraya. Hmmm, I hope I do not offend too many people here with this post.

And while I was gone, mathematicians of the University of Missouri find a prime number 9.1 million digits long.

I also wanted to share with you the results of my New Year's dinner. Apple Pie, Quiche au Saumon and a Tiramisu. Cooked by me, yes yes, indeed, quite a feat and therefore we needed proof for posterity, and we took pictures. They tasted as good as they looked.