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Today was another incredible day. Joanna's dad took Joanna and me into Byblos Souk (the old city) to visit the old palace. We took a short little tour through the palace and then walked around some more on our own. Jbeil, also known as Byblos (and 4 other names through it's history) is one of the oldest cities in the world. It dates back to 8,000 years ago!!! Incredible. The palace itself was built during the Roman control of the city. They destroyed the old Pheonician and Egyptian buildings and used those stonese to build the palace. Only a portion of the palace is standing today. Lebanon has been under the control of many different civilizations and Regimes. It was under Pheonician, Egyptian, Roman, Ottoman and French control just to name a few. Definitely a lot of history and a lot of different influences through out its history. The guide said at the time of Egyptian rule, Lebanese cedar trees covered the coast. The trees produced an oil that was important in the mumification process and as a result, many of the cedars were cut down by the Egyptians. Today, you can still see the cedars, but not nearly as many.
The Ruins
These are ruins of the old Phoenician city It felt pretty incredible to be walking along the pathways that have existed for thousands of years. As we walked along the bottom of the palace and looked up at its walls that have existed for many centuries, it made me feel pretty small and insignificant in the grand scheme of time. Again, was simply amazing. I could say much much much more about the history, but that would make this entry to long and this isn't a history lesson. The point being, if you get the chance to travel to Jbeil, the old palace is certainly worth a visit. I do have to mention though, IT WAS SOOOOOOO HOT!!!!
After the palace, we went to the Wax Museum. The museum depicted different points along Lebanese history, such as a typical Phoenician village, Ottoman rule (particularly the uprising against their rule, though it lasted 400 years), and important figures in Lebanon such as writers and singergs. It was very interesting. Especially walking though with Joanna, being I could ask her questions about each depiction.
Initially we had planned on walking thought the market place and do some shopping, but it was waaaaay too hot. So, we called it
a day and just hung out the rest of the day. It was a good one. =)
Wednesday and Thursday this week were pretty kick back days. On Wednesday, I went to the mall with Joanna and some of her friends. It could've been a mall anywhere in the USA! Many of the stores were the same as in the US, such as Starbucks, Claire's, Ralph Lauren, and soon they'll have Cinnabon. Later we went to the movie theater in the mall. All of the movies being shown were from the US with Arabic subtitles.
Thursday was another beach day. =) I'm getting a nice tan =) That evening we went to a street festival in Jounieh. It was in the old city. The buildings, despite being really old, all looked so new and pretty. Joanna said it was because the old buildings are kept up and refurbished. Different food and store vendors were open and the streets were full of people. It was a fun night.
Yep, a good week. =)
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