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Trip to Beirut(Lebanon)
来源：洪恩论坛 Canuck's Comments
日期：2006-1-11
作者：xinping81
阅读：1618 次
Amman 10th Jan night, it’s raining again outside. The chilly wind was blowing my hair, suddenly, several familiar sceneries emerged to my eyes: the golden sunshine, the friendly person, the blue ocean, the Roman architecture and War ruins.
That’s my wonderful trip in Beirut.
After one-hour flying, on the night of January 4th, my lover and I arrived at Beirut airport and began our three-day trip there. (It’s amazing that we were in
a different country only one hour later, which is just like from one province to
another in China). He was there on his business and so we have a good chance for sightseeing.
When our plane landing off, the colorful city light flashed below, which made us
full of imagination for this city. Even though Lebanon short-term visit (in one
month) doesn’t need any visa and money, the customs policeman contacted the Hotel and checked our reservation at the entrance gate. With our friend help, he drove car and sent us to the Grand Hotel that locates in the north of Hamra district (Hamra is one of the city’s hubs) in West Beirut. Fortunately, the AUB (American University of Beirut) campus is close to our hotel.
From the car window, I saw many signs of the road marked in three Language ---Arabic, French and English. I knew that France was awarded the mandate for Lebanon
in 1920, but I didn’t know that the French influence could be seen everywhere
today in the city. The streets are very narrow with various kinds of cars parking, but the drivers are very polite and always give the way to each other and pedestrian. Small as it is , It’s not very crowd. When we got to the hotel, it’s
very late, so we had a dream quickly.
The next morning, I started my exploring with a guidebook and camera in this city. Because my darling had his own business, so I just could enjoy the sightseeing alone that day. Anyhow , I had a good time and it’s really good for me to practice my English, because I can’t rely on him but myself when he is not by my side. Lebanon is a tiny country. It was once a commercial center in Arab world. Most people may associate Lebanon with civil war, and for 15 years this was a tragic reality. Today however, the war-torn image of Lebanon is fast receding .They
are trying hard to rebuild itself. Lebanon has been described as a land of contrast----Modern beauty and head-to-toe wrapped women; pockmarked high-rises and new towering building; poverty and extraordinary wealth. I have seen some evidence of this contrast in the capital (Beirut) ---War-torn building and new splendid
mansion standing side by side).Beirut is still a vibrant, still-slightly battered city .Yes, It has its unique feature; It is quite different from Amman.
After studying the map, I knew the AUB was around the corner and so I planed to
go there. On the other hand, I believe it must be safer on campus than the street when I am alone in an unacquainted city. Unfortunately, I have a very bad sense of direction, I went to the completely opposite way at first. Thanks to the city is tiny, I realized I was going the wrong way after going further. At that time, a pretty girl hold some books was walking towards me. I grasped the opportunity and asked her the way to AUB. She told me that she was going there too and we can go together. From the conversation, I knew she was a freshman in AUB, studying business. I also introduced myself .After twenty minutes, we stopped at the
main gate of AUB.I thanked her and she went to her class.
AUB (American University of Beirut) was established in 1866 by an American Protestant missionary, Daniel Bliss (the street in front of AUB named Bliss Street).
The AUB is one of the Middle East’s most prestigious educational institutions.
Most of the campus survived the war, with the exception of the central College Hall building, which was destroyed by a car bomb in 1991. Foreigners can enter it
but should show passport or ID card .I asked for a map at the Visitor’s Center
, then entered this famous and beautiful campus. What comes in my eyes was a large light-yellow building and in front it many students were sitting or standing,
talking or eating. They didn’t pay much attention to me. Just some of them caught a glimpse on me. Firstly I went to the museum which is on the right site of
the main gate. The museum is small but charmingly old-fashioned. It is housed in
an attractive 19th-century building. The entry is free. It has a collection of
some objects dating predominantly form prehistory but going up to the Islamic era. There is a good collection of Phoenician glass ware and ceramics and some earlier artifacts. Out from the Museum I walked along the road and felt the exotic
campus life . What gave me a big surprise is that there are so many beautiful girls I came across. No wonder Lebanese girls won the competition of beauty at times. The university locates at the side of the Mediterranean. From the campus I saw the blue sea. It’s really a wonderful place .And it’s really a good place to study and have romance .Some lovers sitting on the bench, whispering.
I continued wandering on campus. At one little shop I bought a glass of orange juice which cost me 1500(1 dollar) (compared with China ,the expense in Lebanon is extraordinarily high, there are few things lower than 1 dollar ). Later ,I had
an hour comfortable and interesting conversation with one attractive girl .She
is senior and trying to get her master study . She asked whether I could translate her name and her boyfriend name into Chinese when she knew that I came from China, I still remembered her name was Naja and I wrote down “娜佳”on her notebook.. When I talked that the security is not bad , she looked worried and told me it was still troublous in Lebanon. The potential danger was not seen. The recently bomb happened in the street not very far from AUB .She has witnessed the brutal civil war ,said that one would like to kill himself when seeing such a terrible screen. I could not imagine what she had seen , how many people had this terrible memory. History can’t be erased. But hope the scar on the people would be healed .Hope peace goes around all the world !
Well, now it’s 0:35 in Amman. I should stop here now .My friends, I will share
next time if you like .
Sincerely
Xinping
