My visit to Lebanon was incredibly special, as I got to spend rare time reconnecting with so many loved ones. I got in touch with my roots, as Lebanon is the neighboring country of my parents’ hometown, Syria. I traveled to Beirut to celebrate my cousin Michael and his now wonderful wife Natalie’s epic wedding. During my stay, I was reunited with cousins, visited holy grounds, celebrated love and unity, partied with my family, and felt so in touch with my heritage. Lebanon is a beautiful country that is full of blue oceans, luscious mountains, active nightlife, and welcoming people. The Lebanese know how to enjoy life and live with vibrant zest.

Mode of Transportation

The journey to get to our destination was lengthy, but was made much more bearable with my travel companion and our flight accommodations. My cousin Kevin and I flew with United Airlines, and got upgraded to first class just a day before takeoff. The reason we got upgraded was because United messed up Kevin’s itinerary multiple times, causing him to spend many hours being put on hold, transferred to various representatives, and then repeating it all over again due to other issues that surfaced. With determination and lots of smooth talking, Kevin not only got him and I upgraded seats, but also Danny, my mom, and Aunty Maya to Economy Premium. We enjoyed the United Polaris Lounge in SFO before taking off to Frankfurt.

While airdropping pictures to Kevin, I noticed my friend Laya’s name popped up on my iPhone. Turns out she was on the exact same flight itinerary as us! Following our 12 hour flight to Germany, we got on our 3.5 hour connecting flight to Beirut through Middle-East Airlines. We traveled on Saturday, August 13th and returned Sunday, August 22nd. The first class experience was splendid. We had priority boarding, were served champagne and delicious meals on the flight, and had reclining seats that turned into beds.

During our time in Lebanon, we used Charbel Taxi company to get us all around the beautiful country. The drivers were reliable and friendly, getting us to and from safely. Our hotel lobby ordered us our cabs as we needed them. Make sure to have US Dollars or Lebanese pounds to pay upfront. I have to comment about the driving while on this trip, because it’s something that really shocked me being a first time visitor. It was much different than back home, as there are no stop signs or traffic lights to regulate the flow of traffic. Cars frequently drift in and out of lanes without putting signals and don’t stay in their designated lane. Driving in the Middle East from what I experienced was chaotic 😅 I thought we were going to get in about 100 accidents, but the citizens of Lebanon are not phased by any of it. They know how to handle the roads like a champ, so leave the driving to the experts!

The Hotel

We stayed at Senses Hotel & Resort in Jounieh. The family and friends of the bride and groom took over the majority of the hotel during our stay. It was great that we were all in the same resort, as it made arrangements much easier. Plus, it was so fun being all together under one roof! Me and my mom’s hotel room had a spacious deck overlooking the ocean, which made for prime sunset viewings. The most standout part of the hotel was the staff. They were very accommodating to our many asks and requests. Special shoutouts to Fadi and Wissam for the stellar service!

The Itinerary

La Creperie

We arrived to Lebanon at around 5pm on Sunday, August 14th. After checking in and saying a quick hello to my family staying at our hotel, I got ready for the first event of the trip. Natalie came to pick some of us up, and the rest of us took cabs to the restaurant. Natalie’s family, as well as our own, gathered at a huge table for dinner. The restaurant was located outside, where we sat in the warm-aired night. There was a lovely view of the glistening city surrounding the ocean and hillside. My three cousins, Aida, Lynn, and Haya were here! We were so excited to see them, as it had been 11 years since we had last reunited, given the distance we all live from one another. I am so grateful that Michael was able to bring the whole family back together ❤️

The food here and at every restaurant we went to was so tasty. I was so excited to eat all of my favorite Arab dishes, straight from the Middle East. The meat and cheese sambousek were absolutely delicious. I couldn’t get enough of it!

George Nehm Concert

Following the family dinner, the cousins went to a George Nehm concert, where we met up with Michael and Natalie’s friends. We danced the night away to live music while enjoying drinks and fireworks. Chris rallied everyone up, including the servers, and gave them all a haircut shot 🤣 Feeling a wave of exhaustion hit us, Kevin and I left the event a little bit earlier than the rest. The nightlife in Lebanon takes place every day of the week, not ever skipping a beat. Clubs typically stay open until the crowd decides it’s time to go home, which sometimes can be until the sun rises!

Cali Byblos

The next day, a group of us went to a trendy beach club in Byblos. On the beach, we had private cabanas while enjoying a stunning ocean view. We ordered drinks and food while soaking in our surroundings. If you plan on spending time at the beach, you must bring sun proof essentials. The sun and heat were super strong out here!

Hotel Pool

Following the beach club, my mom and I took a dip in our hotel pool. The swim here helped cool us down after our sun filled beach day. During the day, there is music being played, with a bar accessible in the pool. In true Arab fashion, they also served arguileh, also known as hookah.

Family Dinner and Reunion at Khalo Iyad’s

We were invited to my Khalo Iyad and Taunt Sahar’s house for dinner. In attendance were my mom’s siblings, her aunt, and her cousins, who I had been connected with on Facebook for many years. I was overjoyed to finally see them all in person! Natalie’s wonderful family was in attendance as well.

We finally got to meet Aida and Lynn’s adorable kids - Lea, Talia, Gabriel, and Celine. We spent the evening viewing Lea’s beautifully beaded jewelry, danced and sang along to my mom’s famous cousin, Yuri Mrakadi’s music while he was present, and cherished every second we had all together. It was truly a night that I will never forget ❤️

Saint Charbel Tour

On Tuesday morning, our group of 15 boarded onto a bus that picked us up from our hotel. We drove through windy roads and up the mountain tops to visit the holy grounds of Saint Charbel. He is the patron saint of Lebanon, known for his healing wonders, devotion to his Christian faith, and his many witnessed miracles.

The tour first took us to the the top of a mountain, where Saint Charbel spent most of his holy years living and praying. There were so many butterflies up top, and each person from my family experienced a holy moment throughout the day trip. The next part of the tour took us to the place where Saint Charbel’s tomb lay. There was a beautiful church, where we said prayers for our loved ones.

Michael’s wonderful Sysco coworkers and friends from he and Natalie’s MBA program traveled to Lebanon for the wedding. We befriended each other on this trip, sharing special moments exploring new wonders and making lifetime memories.

I had a profound experience of deja vu right here. About a month before, I dreamt of this exact scene which played out in front of me in real life. I dreamt I was standing in front of this black vessel with candles while me, my brother, and cousin Kevin stood there waiting for our turn to light a candle amidst a crowd.

Pre-Wedding Circus Party

Following the tour, I went to a salon with my Aunty Rim, where we got our hair and makeup professionally done. The bride’s generous family threw a pre-wedding party on their rooftop. Natalie’s brother Johnny has his own production / event company. He planned this evening, as well as the wedding day! Every intricate detail was beautifully coordinated and orchestrated to perfection. There were live performers, exotic snakes, a DJ, and bartenders. We danced through the night laughing and celebrating, circus theme style.

Achrafieh

I visited the hilly, residential, and commercial area with my mom, Aunty Maya, and Aunty Rim. While my mom finished getting her hair done, me and my aunts walked up and down the hilly streets of the busy city. They even showed me Teta and Jiddo’s apartment, which is currently rented out by a tenant. Two years earlier, in August of 2020, the tragic Beirut explosion took place. I saw many shops and storefronts still suffering from the aftermath of the devastation, with rubble and abandonment.

Gwen’s Pub & Eatery

Aunty Rim and Amo Wael generously invited our family and the Stephen family to a local pub called Gwen’s. They had really tasty drinks, appetizer platters, and a fun ambiance. A live band came to perform and they were so talented! We laughed, sang, drank, ate, and had a fabulous time.

La Mezcaleria Beirut

Following the family outing, the cousins went out to a night club in Beirut. We met up with Michael and Natalie’s friends, where we had several tables reserved for the group.

This place was so much fun! The outdoor venue is located seaside and has neighboring night life spots to also check out.

Be Batroun

Michael and Natalie booked the rooftop pool at the beautiful beach hotel, Be Batroun. This included unlimited drinks, appetizers, and the most stunning view from above. We really loved our time at this gorgeous pool.

Sunset at Be Batroun was my favorite one experienced on the trip. The boho styled decor with the orange sunset trailing at the Mediterranean Sea skyline was a view not to be forgotten. We walked down closer to the oceanfront, where we took fantastic photos.

Jeita Grotto Tour

On Friday morning, we hopped on another tour bus for a full day of excursions. The first stop of the trip was the Jeita Grotto. I do not advise bringing a camera, as photos are not allowed inside. We snagged a few pictures on our phones, as our guide sneakily allowed us to take a couple. There are two levels included in the cave tours and each are well worth visiting. The second tour was extra whimsical, as we viewed the cave by boat.

Lunch at Harissa

Following the Jeita tour, the next stop of the day was Harissa. Before exploring the holy grounds, we stopped at the cafe for cheese and zatar manaeesh. You can watch the kitchen staff make and bake the doughy treats in front of you. Manaeesh were staple breakfast and lunch items we happily ate on many occasions while on our vacation.

Harissa

At this site, we visited Our Lady of Lebanon, who stands with open arms towards the city of Beirut. It is one of the most important centers in the world to honor the Virgin Mary. As this is a holy site, they will provide shawls for those who’s shoulders are not covered. It was a very serene experience, as talking is not permitted for respect of those coming to seek peace to pray. We were unable to climb the stairs to the top of the statue, as they closed it off due to Covid. There is a gift shop onsite here for souvenirs.

Gondolas

To get back down to the main roads, we took gondolas. Danny and I shared one, enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean, city, and mountains.

Byblos

The last part of the day tour was Byblos, also known as Jbeil. Byblos is one of the oldest towns in the world. This was my favorite site visited during my stay in Lebanon. Every corner turned was full of colorful flowers, souvenir shops, and such charm! There is a restaurant underneath the violet flowers to enjoy called eCafe, EddeYard.

Our tour guide walked us through the ancient city, pointing out historic sites and showing us Saint John's, a Romanesque and medieval cathedral. The church is dedicated to St. Jean Mark, Byblos' patron saint and founder of the town's Christian community.

Adjacent to the cathedral were green canopies of bright vines. The cobblestone paths and old, historic feel made this such a unique experience. If you find yourself in Lebanon, visiting Byblos is a must do activity!

Our tour guide gave us an hour and a half to roam around on our own. Some of us ate dinner while others used this time to further explore the boutiques.

Me, Danny, and Kevin used our explore time to purchase souvenirs for our family, friends, and loved ones back home. Knowing how much Trevor loved backgammon, I was so happy to bring home an authentic board, straight from Byblos 🤗

Bachir Ice Cream

Following our wonderful day of exploring, our tour bus stopped at an ice cream parlor for us to enjoy a sweet treat before heading back to the hotel. Bachir ice cream parlor had an assortment of delicious ice creams. Their pistachio ice cream and topping was the real winner!

The Salons

One of my favorite parts about being in Lebanon was how affordable self care is. Every other day, we went to get our hair washed, massaged, blow dried, and styled at a salon. All of this, with superb service might I add, cost only $3. I could not believe how far your dollar goes. We got our makeup professionally done as well for the special occasions, for $30, which is very affordable compared to prices back home.

The Wedding Day

Once we were all glammed up, we headed to the Arnouk family’s airbnb in the town of Ghazir. Here, we enjoyed drinks and appetizers while taking lots of family photos. In Arab tradition, the bride and groom leave their individual house with a zefeh, surrounded by their family. The zefeh includes a group of musicians dressed in traditional Middle Eastern attire. They sing, dance, play instruments, and even have swords.

Following Michael’s zefeh, we made our way to Natalie’s grandma’s house, leaving Michael behind, who would see his beautiful bride at the altar. We arrived to the bride’s greeted by musicians playing the trumpet. We said our hellos to her family, and then to Princess Natalie, who looked like true royalty on her most special day 😍

Next up, the wedding! We arrived to Divine Ascension Greek Orthodox Church, where we witnessed Michael and Natalie’s unity of love. Cheers to Mr. & Mrs. Arnouk! I am so thrilled to have Natalie officially be a part of our family. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness, health, love, and adventure ❤️ I was so blessed to be a part of their big day.

Here they are in all their cuteness! Sending them off in their dreamy Rolls-Royce, heading to the next part of the wedding - celebrating with all their friends and family.

The Reception

Following the wedding ceremony, we piled in our chauffeured cars, who drove us up the hill to the venue. We got stuck in traffic for 30 minutes on the one way road, as we were all headed towards the same destination. It’s hard to put into words just how incredible the wedding was. Johnny Stephan and his crew created the most perfect evening to celebrate the newly weds. There were live performers, drummers, dancers, and singers.

Dinner and dancing took place outside in the courtyard. There were over 10 tables full of food to select from, and the same went for dessert. My mom’s cousin is Yuri Mrakadi, a very talented singer who resides in Lebanon. He is well known in the Middle East and is a famous musician. Growing up, my family always had the latest Yuri CD playing in our car and around the house. We were all fan girling, as he performed live for the crowd. He is a true legend! It was a highlight of the ceremony listening to Yuri serenade the newly weds, adding to the magic of the celebration.

Fireworks were flying, literally! Both in the sky and the dance floor, it was a dazzling night. The overwhelming amount of love and unity felt from both the bride and groom’s families was unbeatable. The production of the wedding was a sight to be seen! Every part of the day felt like a fairytale.

Family Pool Day

On our last day of the trip, the bride and groom’s families merged for one final gathering to conclude the most wonderful week. We spent the day at EddeSands Hotel & Wellness Resort, a stunning facility with so much to explore. It is located beachside, providing access to the Mediterranean Sea and has over four swimming pools. Since Michael and Natalie were newly wed guests here, they booked us a private villa for the day. We enjoyed our time swimming, laughing, and enjoying the last bits of summer with one another.

The hardest part was of course the goodbye. As the sun set in Beirut, we gathered our belongings and hugged one another. It was very emotional, as there was so much time, preparation, and anticipation for this entire trip. Life goes by in the blink of an eye. This reunion taught me to seize the moments, both big and small. The value and love given and received from family is immeasurable and irreplaceable. I will always hold these precious memories close to my heart. Lebanon is a special place, and I got to experience it with the kindest people. Being in the Middle East made me feel so proud of where I come from. I spoke Arabic 95% of the time I was here, got to eat my favorite mediterranean dishes, and experienced the beauty of being with family. Thank you Michael and Natalie for planning the best trip for us all, and for reuniting us together. Cheers to your love and all there is to come ❤️