The last time Anthony Bourdain left Beirut it was not a happy time for him, his crew, several of my friends or for the people of Beirut. One of the most vivid memories from the 2006 trip was looking out at the airport, and seeing it bombed. In the first few days of that trip, Beirut had a closer resemblance to Miami Beach than to a city under siege, but it soon turned sour as the Israelis’ decimated the city. Bourdain and his team soon found themselves in the middle of a war, holed up in the confines of a luxury hotel.
Back in the 1960's Beirut was known as the Paris of the Mediterranean. Living in Lebanon are many different groups, languages, ethnicities, religions, sects, interests, and political factions. Thus, the city has problems. Downtown is trendy, new, and hip, but travel ten minutes away and you see the destruction from the war. One is just as likely to meet a model or an entrepreneur, as you are to meet a soldier or a Hezbollah supporter. However, with all of the cultural diversity comes an incredible mix of foods.
Some Lebanese believe the reason so many people are fighting over the land is because it is so lovely. Between the gorgeous coastline, the mountains, the seafood, lamb, and produce, it is place that is not hard to fall in love with. On the face, Beirut seems like a dream city among the Arab world, but they just can't seem to catch a break. Watch Bourdain return to the cite of his darkest adventure this Monday at 9pm, Texas Time, only on The Travel Channel.
Timothy Braun
Austin, TX
August 21, 2010
Five Easy Pieces (a quintet of other matters on my mind.)
1.) 1 in 5 Americans apparently think President Obama is Muslim. In related news, 4 in 5 Americans are getting tired of tolerating that one dumb guy
2.) After two weeks of preseason football, the Patriots scare me. They played the Falcons in mid-season form (in mid-August) and the power running formation could be lethal against the Colts speed and the Jets aggression.
3.) I wonder what Sarah Palin would say if Dr. Laura had said, “retard”. Palin’s “don’t retreat, reload” comment to the disturbed doctor is a reaffirmation of that brainless stunt show Palin has become. I guess you say Palin is "retarded" for Dr. Laura. Actually, I won't guess on that one.
4.) The president’s dandy vacation reading material includes "Tinkers" by Paul Harding and "A Few Corrections" by Brad Leithauser. Yet another reason I voted for this guy.
5.) Had a great time with at The Broken Spoke with the visiting Alex Smith, Oly, Nina, and Jeanne last night. Truly an Austin treasure and historic joint to two-step, but the cool stuff that liters the place is off the charts. Just check out the picture. oh, and I think i want to learn more about this Texas two-stepping stuff.
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