Coming to Lebanon, I had expectations about what it would be like. That being said, so much of what I have encountered here has been unexpected. Here is a quick list of some of those things.
The Blonde Guy
Yes the blonde guy, because there is only one. I've never met the blonde guy but I see him around Beirut a lot (he stands out among the dark haired Lebanese men). Okay, there might be a few more than one blonde guy in all of Lebanon but the main point of this story is that there aren't many blondies (Americans/foreigners) here, at least less than I expected. Blonde guy, if you're reading this...I like your new haircut!
Arabic
I am really excited that I am able to learn the language here and experience this part of the Lebanese culture. I expected Arabic to be difficult, and it is. The biggest "unexpectation" here is that I rarely need to speak Arabic in everyday life. All of the students on campus speak English (and Arabic and French), the guy on corner selling maneskah speaks English, even most of the taxi drivers can figure out what you want without Arabic.
Lebanese Food
Before I came to Lebanon everyone said, "You're going to LOVE the food there." Unfortunately, I do not. As I try new things I am beginning to like it more and I hope by the end of the year I can say, "I love Lebanese food." *I'll post more specifically about the food soon!*
The Greeting
The Lebanese greet friends with three kisses on the cheek, alternating cheeks. This is how women greet women and men greet men. It has taken some getting used to, but when I see someone going in for a kiss I know that they think of me as a friend. It's nice.
Power Outages
Every so often at my apartment, a coffee shop, the grocery store, during Arabic class, etc. the electricity will turn off.
What happens in America when the lights go out...someone screams. Someone will scream, everyone gets a little frantic, and even after the lights come back on everyone is still discussing what could have happened.
What happens in Lebanon when the lights go off...nothing. No one seems to even notice. The electricity in Lebanon runs on a cycle. When some parts of the country have electricity, others do not. Most parts of the country go three hours a day without electricity. In the city, where I live, most places have generators. A few seconds after the power goes out, the generators kick in and lights are back on.
FASHION
I heard before coming to Lebanon that the people here are very fashionable. Even knowing that, I was still a little surprised when I got here. Wearing sweatpants to class or pajamas the day of an exam? Not in Lebanon. Girls here get dressed up for class EVERYday, most of them wearing heels. I don't think I've ever seen a girl in a t-shirt (other than myself).
Living in Lebanon is much different from living in South Carolina. I've definitely had to make some adjustments but I love the people here and living in a city is fun and exciting. Lebanon is great place to be!
The Blonde Guy
Yes the blonde guy, because there is only one. I've never met the blonde guy but I see him around Beirut a lot (he stands out among the dark haired Lebanese men). Okay, there might be a few more than one blonde guy in all of Lebanon but the main point of this story is that there aren't many blondies (Americans/foreigners) here, at least less than I expected. Blonde guy, if you're reading this...I like your new haircut!
Arabic
I am really excited that I am able to learn the language here and experience this part of the Lebanese culture. I expected Arabic to be difficult, and it is. The biggest "unexpectation" here is that I rarely need to speak Arabic in everyday life. All of the students on campus speak English (and Arabic and French), the guy on corner selling maneskah speaks English, even most of the taxi drivers can figure out what you want without Arabic.
Lebanese Food
Before I came to Lebanon everyone said, "You're going to LOVE the food there." Unfortunately, I do not. As I try new things I am beginning to like it more and I hope by the end of the year I can say, "I love Lebanese food." *I'll post more specifically about the food soon!*
The Greeting
The Lebanese greet friends with three kisses on the cheek, alternating cheeks. This is how women greet women and men greet men. It has taken some getting used to, but when I see someone going in for a kiss I know that they think of me as a friend. It's nice.
Power Outages
Every so often at my apartment, a coffee shop, the grocery store, during Arabic class, etc. the electricity will turn off.
What happens in America when the lights go out...someone screams. Someone will scream, everyone gets a little frantic, and even after the lights come back on everyone is still discussing what could have happened.
What happens in Lebanon when the lights go off...nothing. No one seems to even notice. The electricity in Lebanon runs on a cycle. When some parts of the country have electricity, others do not. Most parts of the country go three hours a day without electricity. In the city, where I live, most places have generators. A few seconds after the power goes out, the generators kick in and lights are back on.
FASHION
I heard before coming to Lebanon that the people here are very fashionable. Even knowing that, I was still a little surprised when I got here. Wearing sweatpants to class or pajamas the day of an exam? Not in Lebanon. Girls here get dressed up for class EVERYday, most of them wearing heels. I don't think I've ever seen a girl in a t-shirt (other than myself).
Living in Lebanon is much different from living in South Carolina. I've definitely had to make some adjustments but I love the people here and living in a city is fun and exciting. Lebanon is great place to be!
