For most outsiders, Beirut’s history begins and ends with its bloody civil war. After the war Beirut’s downtown was beautifully reconstructed and is a triumph of rejuvenation over disaster. Although most buildings have been bulldozed since the war, there is still some evidence of the savagery of war, with bullet ridden buildings. This place is not what I was expecting, with huge mosques sitting along side equally huge churches both seemingly harmonious. The city centre is a collection of designer shops ranging everything from Dior, to Chanel – if it’s designer its here!
We wander the city taking in the numerous churches and mosques. One mosque in particular has quite possibly the largest chandelier I have ever seen! Even though I cannot go inside I can still see that this thing is MASSIVE!!!
In the evening we head out to the vibrant neighbourhood of Gemmayzeh, with it’s ultra hip bars. Drink Almaza, a Lebanese beer before going onto cocktails. Randomly meet a Cannuck and Aussie in one of the bars where the night descends into shots of tequila and jagermeister and then a club on the outskirts of Beirut called B018, which is located underground. The club is amazing and the most spectacular aspect of the club is revealed when the heavy beats kick in and the ceiling entirely opens up to the night sky….home at 10am…oops!
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