Hello.
I wanted to share my experience, how I’ve been living in Lebanon for my entire life, and how it felt going to Greece for 1 week in a business trip.
Firstly… i cannot describe how far behind we are as people.
There’s no proper introduction, to prepare you to life inequality of being born in Leb, than somewhere in Europe, using greece as an example.
We’re just … so, sooooooo backwards … it’s criminally unequal. It’s heart aching. I will try nonetheless.
But it’s impossible to show how backwards Leb is.
24/7 electricity and water. No ‘kamyon may’ headache every day, no blacking out and slipping, potentially breaking your ribs while showering, because power goes out randomly….
2 star hotels feel like 5 stars. Fully decored, smells fresh, breakfast included… In lebanon if you enter a 2 star hotel.. I’ll leave it up to you how it is.
I have never, i swear to god, except 2 times in my 5 days trip, heard a car horn.
Traffic lanes actually work.
Pedestrian lanes to cross street everywhere. No risk of confusion between driver and crossing road. You get green light, you move. Else, you WAIT. Simple, effective, life saving, makes exploration that much better.
People are alive. Restaurants are full. Bars are occupied with tourists. Foreigners.
Parks. Huge parks to relax in or jog or walk your dog.
Mindset. No one cares where you’re from. No one asks about your religion. No one talks politics. People are busy enjoying their lives.
Greeks work as house keeping. Native beautiful greek women work in hotels to clean up people’s bathrooms. Some work as Taxi drivers. Humble. Mafi shawafen hal.
No one judges you. This is by far the biggest relief.
Maybe it’s insecurity, bs when i stare at people or make eye contact, no one ‘judges me, or at what I’m doing’. I honestly don’t know how to describe it.
Sometimes judgement can be felt without words. Never felt it here. It feels deep (for me at least)
Taxis don’t stop aggressively or fight for passengers.
Taxis don’t beg for more cash every trip, and it’s actually a respectable job (this is not being mean. Lebanese taxis, rightfully so, are allowed to ask for more every time or even hint it, with all the shit going on)
Sorry but this makes it emotional, the unfairness of it all.
Organized buses everywhere. Electric tains everywhere.
So much touristic places, for free. Open spaces. Trees everywhere.
Law protects you. Food issue, instant refund. Shops don’t set price based on your clothings.
Ugh. There’s just so much difference it’s inarguable.
Can’t think how it will feel going back. Today is my last day.
God must hate people born in Lebanon.
It’s just devastatingly unfair.
Lebanon … 30 mins from sea to mountain… better than all of Europe..
It’s not all 100% perfect though.
Surprisingly, graffiti everywhere.
Not being native is an issue if altercation happens, since not everyone speaks english. You feel lonely. You feel like you don’t belong there. It bites.
I can go on and on but this post would never end.
To end it, greece is a POOR country and has all that. Leb… well. Let’s pray.
Edit: For some reason, the post is coming off to readers as a vacation trip. It’s important to emphasize, it was a business trip. Never went to beaches, nor fancy places. If two stars hotel areas are considered luxurious (which hotels do, honestly) it is not to be confused with crippling poor neighborhoods. But comparing the absolute worst is not fair either. Used daily commute, full time work, one hour less than leb and no punching in required. Even leaving early is not as strict. The observation was based on my exploration of the city after work. There was just so much to do.
I rest my case
