making plans

i've spent the last 45 minutes or so researching must-sees in lebanon. ece & i are going to go on a walking tour of the city soon, via the "walk beirut" organization (http://www.bebeirut.org/walk.html). the tours last 4.5 hours, cost $20, & are given in english. we'll learn about the history & culture of different districts within the city, which is what i expected we'd learn on the CAMES tour last weekend, but that apparently that wasn't the plan. i'm looking forward to learning more about the city while seeing the places on foot i've only read about or, now, passed on the street on the way to dinner. during world cup season they've been ending tours on time for the games, leaving tourists in areas with plenty of cafes to stay behind & partake of the match if they wish. unfortunately, though, there's no walking tour on the schedule for tomorrow. we'll make time on an upcoming weekend instead.

i also have to see baalbek (http://www.baalbeck.org.lb/default.html), tripoli (http://www.tripoli-city.org/), the cedars (http://www.lebanon.com/tourism/cedars.htm), jeita grotto (http://www.middleeast.com/jeitagrotto.htm), & at least one of the palestinian refugee camps (but i might get access to the latter via volunteering with an NGO ece & i received the contact information for on friday). the lebanese government's tourism site has a list of historical & cultural sites to visit, & i have a travel agency's URL from my former professor to consult as well. looking forward to adding to the to-do list, even though my free time is almost nonexistent. i have to take advantage of this country, i don't want to get back to the states & have regrets. i know i won't have time for everything, but i'm already scheming about my return. this is such an interesting city, & i am eagerly anticipating the chance to explore beyond the city's limits too.

tomorrow ece & i are going to try to study in a cafe nearby before the final game of the world cup. we have to make time for the game, it's such a cultural experience here. the lebanese love their soccer. the day brazil was knocked out of the quarter finals we saw a man draped in a brazilian flag at a cafe. i couldn't see his face, but i imagined his forlorn expression. on the other hand, when a favorite team wins, you hear the entire city explode with excitement. fireworks, car horns honking made-up tunes, noises of all kinds. not great for sleeping, but fun to experience.