Thoughts on Leaving Syria
Leaving Syria, I felt the country was more open than before. There were more international travellers, especially backpackers, but that’s perhaps I stayed in a dormitory. Also, the Syrian army wasn’t active in maintaining security in Lebanon. Things were looking brighter. [Edit: Little did I know that the Arab Spring would begin half a year later, putting the country into turmoil for many years.]
Tedious Border Crossing
I chose to take a bus from Damascus to Beirut rather than a shared taxi. The actual time you spend moving is around 2 hours. Then there’s another 2 hours with the immigration formalities … an hour on each side of the border.
This is the first time I’ve used this crossing, as all my previous experiences have been with the border crossing north of Tripoli. It was busy for people and passenger vehicles … for trucks it was a nightmare as I could see them backed up for kilometres. Combined with a passenger having some issues (not knowing all the required information on the arrival card), our journey took over 5 hours!
My theory is that a service taxi shouldn’t be much quicker if it arrives at the checkpoint when a bus is there too … but if there’s a next time, I’ll certainly be paying a tad more and using a taxi.
Bar-hopping in Beirut
This is my last night in Beirut, so I’m acting half my age for a change! I got invited out by other travellers … we bar hopped … we had cocktails and drinks at two places (during Happy Hour). This was followed by ice cream and people-watching in the Beirut Central District area. I piked before 2300 and skipped the third bar … not sure if there was a fourth!
Our hostel is in the Gemayzeh area … it is rather sleepy during the day but it certainly throbbing by about 10pm when the bars and restaurants come alive. People eat late and party late into early hours of the morning.
Tummy Torment?
It is uncanny that my tummy is slightly unwell tonight. I’ve been fine eating off the street in Syria and I’ve been fine … then after a day eating in glitzy Beirut, I’m having issues. It may not be bug-related … it could be just too much olive oil!