Spasiva, Liban!

Today I spent most of the day making lesson plans, with a trip to Beirut Mall in the late afternoon with the family. I may have forgotten to mention this but I am staying at my cousin Mariam’s house. Her mom is Russian and her dad is Lebanese. They speak Russian almost 90% of the time, so this summer has been a definite culture shock. It’s been 4 years since I visited Lebanon, and regardless, I’ve never spent all my time with her family anyways. It’s been tough…some days I feel like I’m spending the summer in St. Petersburg, not Beirut. It’s an odd mix, but I kinda like it. I’m learning a bit of Russian obviously…

Spasiva = thank you

Kharasho = good

Dobreviche = good evening

Tomorrow I have work again. I’m going to get up early and go for a run around Beirut (well, maybe not all of it…but I’ll see what I can do). I’m really excited…I haven’t worked out for 2 weeks. It’s an awful, awful feeling.

Until 5:45 AM…peace.
Asil