My late aunt Sou’ad used to send me pictures and tell me stories about her life there. She absolutely loved it and kept recounting how beautiful and joyful Lebanon is. I grew up with images of rolling green hills stretched along the blue sea in my mind. Waterfalls, lush forests, vast valleys, snow covered mountains were only in my dreams back then, created by my aunt’s stories. Very different from everything I had experienced thus far in Egypt whose nature is very different. Lebanon was a magical fairytale land to young Hala.
Then there were wars in Lebanon. They lasted a very long time. Images of destruction and rubble, stories of killings and unrest, long time neighbors turning into mortal enemies. My longing to see my aunt’s paradise turned into deep deep sadness and heart wrenching sorrow. I was afraid to see her idyllic places tortured and burned.
As I started to make peace with my home region and meet kindered spirits from the Middle East, I became very curious and wanted to face my fears. It’s hard to believe that I waited that long. I’m finally in Lebanon. My aunt’s Sou’ad’s spirit is with me. I recall the names of places from my childhood and wish she was with me in 3D.
#beirut #lebanon #mountains #mediterranean #sea #raoucha #harissa #ladyoflebanon #travel #nature #asia #middleeast #travelblog #travelphotography #naturephotography #travellife #familystories
Unconditional Love 