Rana's Randomness

 

Dearest friends,

Firstly, I want to thank you all for your concern and show of support over the past couple of weeks.  My family is now back in Canada, we arrived late Saturday night and have been trying to catch up on some well deserved sleep and rest since. 

The trip home was interesting, and heartbreaking.  I still have yet to release myself from the surreal ness of the situation I have just experienced.  As I sit here in my room, safe in Canada, I have yet to grasp the idea that I am home.  I still think that I am going to wake up from this horrible nightmare and my life will be the same as it was a month ago.  Once the realization that this might not happen sinks in, I may have a hard time adapting to the reality of the situation.  But for now, I am trying to keep the faith and remain optimistic for the people of Lebanon and for the future of Lebanon.

After waiting to receive a call from the embassy to let us know when we would be evacuated, on Tuesday July 25^th, we were informed that the Canadian Embassy was no longer calling citizens and that people were being evacuated on a first come first serve basis.  This information came from both the local news and the father of my friend.  We then double check with the Canadian Embassy in Beirut, and in fact that was the new plan, to evacuate people daily on a first come first serve basis until August 2^nd (which was later changed to July 29^th).  Therefore, on Thursday July 27^th, my family and I woke up at the crack of dawn to set out on our journey back to Canada. 

We left out house in Tripoli at 5:30am, to arrive at Biel at 6:30am in order to get a spot in line.  Thank god we thought of coming early; as the embassy had said arrive at 9am.  We then waited in line for 6 hours.  This was by far the worst part of the evacuation.  It was hot, people were getting agitated, there was no information being given to us, and the rumour mill was flying.  We heard everything from, there are no boats leaving today to people saying you could evacuate family and friends with you, that you were allowed only 5kg of luggage.  In the end, I believe three boats left that day, and no luggage was turned away (which made me a little frustrated, as I only packed a backpack.  Those of you who know me, know how I have a lot of stuff).  People's emotions were running high in line, whether this was from the situation or the heat; was hard to tell.  There was little water being offered, and the water that was available was warm.  We had paid attention to the media, so came prepared with cold water and some food.  I can only compare this wait to being in a hot club on opening night where you can not move an inch. As you got closer to the front of the line people began to push, and no one could have possibly come out of the line without a few scrapes and bruises.  I in no way blame anyone for this line up craziness, we were outside with no real information just waiting, but with no certainty did we know if we would be able to leave.  I do however believe that had someone been informing the people in line of what was happening, or if there were people walking up and down the line making sure that people were being respectful to each other, the tension may have been eased a little.  This is a comment that I have for the entire evacuation process; there was very little information available to the evacuees at any point in time.  And on top of having to evacuate a country, this feeling of uncertainty and lack of knowledge was very uncomforting.

Once we made it past the line and into the hands of the Canadian government, I felt that the process was rather smooth.  Time consuming, but smooth.  We had to wait in a few more lines that were a lot more organized where they cleared us for immigration and customs.  After we cleared, we were sent to wait in a room to be taken to the boat.  This room was air conditioned, and there was food available.  About an hour later our number was called and we were taken to the port, to board the boat.  The boat we took was a Turkish ferry boat, which normally does not make such long voyages.  There was enough room on the boat for maybe about 225 people.  There were two sections were people could sit, on deck there were rows of benches, and below deck there were seats (airplane style).  We sat on deck the entire time, as the fresh air was necessary to avoid feeling ill.  My family was fortunate, as we do not normally get sea sick.  I would say about 50% (no exaggeration) of people were sick at some point in the 11 hour journey from the port of Beirut to Mersin, Turkey.  At one point, I looked up from my seat to notice that almost everyone around me was throwing up.  It was a sight and sound I will never forget, the faces of desperation, fear, hope and exhaustion.

After clearing customs and immigration in Mersin, we boarded a bus and were taken to an arena in Adana, Turkey.  The arena was filled with mattresses and evacuees, who had arrived the day before us.  The arena was as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.  There was plenty of hot water, food, towels, blankets and personal amenities.   But, the information was still slow to arrive to the people and the Canadian contingent of workers who were there were in a tough position.  They were receiving very little information as to when and if planes would be coming to take more people.  We stayed at the arena for about 20 hours before we were bused to the airport to board a plane to Montreal.  These 20 hours went by rather slowly, and were filled with much frustration.  At one point, we were all asked to line up to be taken to the airport to board planes, which was a extreme sense of relief, a call came in that said the plane had technical difficulties and was unable to take off.  At that point we were told we would have to spend a second night in the arena.  This did not go over well with people.  There were a lot of tears, screams and long faces.  But thank god, in the end most 200 of the 225 people I had come with from Beirut were flown to Montreal.  The 25 people that stayed behind, I believe were sent to a hotel to take a good shower and get some decent rest.  While I was glad to leave, I was sad that there was no priority being given.  Some of the people who were left behind were women with children and the elderly, it seems as though there was little concern for the actual individuals, and it was about getting people out.  At this point we were already out of harms ways, priority should have been given to those who needed to reach the comfort of their own homes.

We arrived in Montreal early Saturday morning. In Montreal we were greeted by the Canadian Red Cross, and then taken to a hotel where we were able to get some rest and take a decent shower.  Saturday afternoon we took a train to Toronto, where we were once again greeted by a Canadian contingent who gave us water and hand sanitizer.  From Union Station we took a cab home.   Once in Canada I would like to point out that there were a lot of services available for Canadians coming home.  Many people who came were in need of finding lodging and employment, as this stay is going to be permanent.  Social Services, Employment Agencies, Canadian Arab Federation Representatives, and government officials were on hand to send people in the right direction.

I am now home safe and sound, but there are many people who are not as fortunate as me.  My thoughts are with the people of Lebanon: the family, friends, co-workers and neighbors that are left behind with no where to go and with only hope in their hearts for the little nation that can.In peace, hope and love,

rana

hey there all...

It's been a while since my last entry.  The past couple months has been intense, emotional, and have made me grow up more than I could have imagined.  I came to Lebanon to get a taste for this country, and my hunger has been more than satistified, to the point where I feel and addiction may develop.  This is both exciting and frightening.

 

I am still working as a teacher, and am learning a great deal about the culture and the way that children are raised.  I know that after teaching in Lebanon, I am going to have a strong role in the upbringing of my future children.  So many parents are not invovled in the education of their children, and are shocked when the report cards arrive.  Most of my students have private tutors, nannies, or maids that are responsible to look over their shoulder and to ensure that homework is complete.  Most of the time, this doesn't happen or the person looking over their shoulder does the homework for them.  I feel that this next generation has been more influenced by the media than the previous, and maybe this is the pattern of progress that occurs with life and the advancement of technology.  All of my students, are constently using inappropriate lingo, a la Eminem, getting the lastest technology in terms of phones, cars and mp3 players if they bring home good grades.  Most of my students come from well off parents, and their only goal in life is to pass, and barely at that, in order to take over daddy's business.  There exists a general lack of respect for the purpose of education and it's benefits, or maybe it is just a lack of knowledge about its importance.  All of this being said, maybe I am just not hip enough to understand this new generation and their needs.

 

In the past month, I have been to both a Lebanese wedding and a condolences.  In the beginning of April a 2nd cousin and good friend got married, it was a beautiful wedding.  She was married in the traditional sense; the grooms mother checked her out and liked what she saw, so brought her son for the next visit.  Clearly, her son liked what he saw and the next thing you know they started talking for a few months.  And then shortly after got engaged and married.  This part is not what interested me.  I learned a great deal about tradition and ettiquette during the wedding preparations.  Planning a wedding requires that a great deal of attention is paid to small details, as in who is invited, who isn't invited, where this person sits and where that person sits, who sits next to the bride and groom, who are the witnesses, who is invited to the engagement, etc.  And of course there are the family battles, that cross generational lines.  Parents have certain expectations that need to be fulfilled, and since they are the ones that got tired raising you, you need to attempt to appease them to a certain extent.  So I have come to realize that planning a wedding is a negotiation process, that results in a great deal of appeasement and compromises.  But despite all the blood, sweat and tears that go into the planning and preparation, like everything else in life, in the end the result is amazing.  Plus, the event is life a fashion show.  I even got suckered into getting my hair and makeup done - I didn't look like myself.  As I have said before, women in this country take care of their image to the extreme!  I have begun to pay more attention to mine, the environment is affecting me. 

 

I had some time off for Easter, so I decided to take a trip to Cyprus.  I stayed with a good friend, who really helped open my eyes.  I feel that there are some people who come into your life for a reason, and this person has really left an impact on me.  He is a rather religious fellow, open-minded, modern and very bright.  His devotion to his faith, and the way that it guides his life and actions is impressive.  I have a hard time trying to figure out what my fascination with his way of life is.  I think it has to do with his dedication and prioritization of his family and religion in his life.  Knowing him has made me take a good long look into my own life and priorities.  This time in Lebanon has made me change my priorities, although family was always important to me I never really put it at the top of my list of priorities.  I took it for granted.  I come from a rather large family that I have gotten quite attached too, they are all wonderful, unique and amazing in their own way. And at 24 years of age, I am just beginning to get to know them.  The bond of family here is of the utmost importance.  Their is a general sense of loyalty and community the exists, one that I never knew about until I came to Lebanon and spent a significant length of time with family.  Besides the priority of family, the priority and importance of religion in my life is something that I have begun to think about a great deal.  Most of you know that I have not always been a good muslim girl.  I have begun to take a serious interest in learning more about the religion and the traditions that surround it.  Being in a muslim country, surrounded by a number of levels of practicing muslims,  has given me the motivation to explore and understand the religion from a perspective of faith, rather than from an critical academic viewpoint.  This exploration is an ongoing process and I will keep you posted on what I find in my heart.

 

This past week one of my aunts passed away.  She was older, and died peacefully and painlessly in her sleep. The whole experience hit me rather hard.  I am 24 years old and did not know my aunt.  She is now dead, and I never got the opportunity to know her.  While growing up in Canada has opened many doors for me, it closed and created a distance on the door to my family.  This makes me rather sad, but I can not live my life by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of my life so far, that would drive me crazy.  But I can change the priority which I place on family from now on.

 

hope all of you are well.

 

taking a deep look into my priorities,

 

rana

 

 

 

 

Everyday in Lebanon is new and exciting.  You never know what you are going to encounter or expect, as a matter of fact you don't know if you will go to work or the place you work will be closed for the day out of fear of a potential attack due to a meeting of high profile politicians.  In the past two weeks I have worked on and off at my evening job as it is downtown and next to the Parliament buldings.  So the rest has been rather nice, despite the disturbing political situation.  Now that I am living here I am more aware of the fear that people live in, but am surprised at how despite the potential of war, explosions and bombings that the average person lives life to its fullest.  Even myself, I am aware that something could happen at any moment but I don't really think about it on a regular basis. Actually never.  I guess when the reality is unstable, it becomes the norm and people adapt.

 

Speaking of adapting.  I have a brand new lebanese chic look to myself.  As I am working in a rather professional job in the evenings I am required to dress professionally.  Every night I feel like I am playing dress up.  I sometimes think my life here is a bit of a dream.  Only a few months ago I was dirty and backpacking Europe in the worst clothes I owned.  Now I have my hair straightened and done on a regular basis, they have this thing here called brushing where you get your hair washed and styled in a salon.  It's rather cheap and awesome, someone else to wash, blow dry and style your hair, this is life!  I go into my closet and pull out my fancy pants and tops, and then put on some pointy toe high heels and am out the door.  But I never leave without putting on my face and doucing myself in perfume. What has happened to me?  Have I finally succumb to the man?  Or maybe this is all just part of growing up.  But I don't think I am ever going to get used to the look on myself.  Some days I laugh at myself in the mirror, but other days I admit that I look good, but I don't think it is me in the mirror looking back:)    I will take and post some pictures.

 

much love and miss you all,

rana

 

 

well all...

 

I recently celebrated my 24th birthday, my how time has flown by.  Somedays I don't even believe that I am living and working in Beirut, it feels like a bit of a dream.  However, when I wake up it is sometimes scary.  I really like living in Lebanon, and the more time I spend here the more I consider making this a permanent move.  So the thought is in my head, I like being around family and would like my children - if I find Mr. Right - to grow up with family around them that they can be close to.  Being in Lebanon has made me reevaluate the prioroties of life and what one needs in order to have happiness in life.  I will keep you posted on what comes of this new found enlightnement.

 

My little apartment, well one room studio is sweet!  I like having the space and just being able to chill out and have some down time.  I have more respect now than I have ever had for teachers, this job isn't easy and take so much enegy out of a person.  By the end of the say all I want to do is sleep.  I have a view of the sea, all be it only a small corner and only on a clear day, it's still pretty cool!  This country is definately picturesque, and the sight are calming amidf the political uncertainty.  This past week the place I work downtown has been closed in the envenings out of fear of and attack in the area as there is a round table discussion with all the high profile Lebanese politicians.  The track record for politician attacks is not exactly good here, so I can understand the concern.  The downtown that is usually a bustling centre was a ghost town last week when I was coming home from work.  Despite the uncertainty in this country, people are living and relatively content.

 

I have updated the pictures, so check them out.  Some are of Life in Lebanon and the others are from Europe.

 

Enjoy and Stay Well,

 

rana

 

 

it's been a while since I have updated you all on my life here in Beirut. 

The past month of my life has been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences.  With each passing day I learn a great deal about myself, life and the incredible experience of growing up.

 

This past weekend I moved into my own little place.  It's a one room furnished apartment in the heart of the Hamra district.  The place isn't bad at all, I have internet access.  And comes fully furnished with all the anemities that I will need.  Plus my aunts and a a couple cousins are in the same neighbourhood, so if I am hungry there is always a place to get a warm meal.  I have barely had anytime to settle into the new place as I am working two jobs.  By day I am an elementary school teacher and by night I am helping the middle to upper class of Beirut learn how to speak english... so I am going back to my basics and relearning grammar.  If I don't get anything out of this experience, at least my english would have improved.  In all reality I am filling my days quite nicely and meeting some great people. 

 

There is so much more I want to say, but need to get some sleep...

 

Now that I have internet access I will try and update the blog and pictures as often as possible.

 

rana