It’s 4 am. Woke up to sound of mosque prayer and couldn’t go back to sleep. I am still jetlagged and my stomach is asking for a US dinner. It will have to wait a couple of hours for a Lebanese breakfast.
Earlier in the day having had an eventless couple of flights from DC (other than an aborted landing in Frankfurt), we were met at Beirut airport by my old football friend Diab, who took us on a tour of sports project he is starting. It is the fulfillment of his life’s work and a life dream, and I am very happy for him.
The weather in Lebanon is fair- upper 80’s Fahrenheit (lower 30’s Celsius). High humidity though. I would have thought it would be much worse this time of year. Samer’s sweat glands as usual very efficient. Hopefully, it will be more pleasant for him once we hit the mountain elevations. As for me, Lebanon has an immediate effect on my psoriasis, which tends to subside, so no complaints on my part.
As soon as we arrived to the hotel, I proceeded to buy a map of Lebanon and chart our expected course. Samer wants to carry the map. I think I may stick to the GPS I have setup, which includes charting, speed and altitude calculations, calorie burn, compass, and a woman’s voice to beckon one on if they get tired on the hike J. I expect all to be primordial during the expedition. My fear is that of energy. A strict charging regimen will have to be maintained.
Beirut seems quieter than usual. Many people cooling off in the mountains no doubt; but even more so it is the month of Ramadan and people who are fasting will tend to cut down on activities. I guess you cannot spend energy that you do not have. Yesterday evening’s get together was nice. Karim and Tanya. They seem to be getting into the habit of seeing me off to another expedition. Last year it was with my son Karim to the WC. We were also pleasantly surprised by Rany, my hiking pal frfom last time showing up. And also an old school friend of Samer’s- Mohammad, who we had not seen for many years. He came by to wish Samer a safe journey. It is always a pleasure to see old friends- even more so those who truly care. Karim also dropped off my cel phone card as well as zoom lens. All that remains is that I get an Internet connection for my laptop and I think we will be set.
Later on, Samer and I crashed to bed at the Hotel Plaza in Hamra, Beirut only to be woken up by Chamoun at an ungodly hour asking what time we will be meeting the next morning. I guess being awoken by Chamoun at odd hours will soon become a common occurrence, so might as well get accustomed to it from now.
Unable to sleep, I worry about the weight. Earlier I had finished transferring the hiking equipment and clothes into the new hiking bag. Didn’t look too stuffed. The problem, however, is weight. Had Samer try it on and he felt the weight too. Don’t have a weight to measure it, but common sense tells I will have to do some trade-offs and shed some stuff. The problem is nothing on its own appears too heavy. Combined, however, it becomes a dead weight … No choice really, because going up on a steep climb, I can imagine every additional half a kilo will begin weighing like a ton. Better preempt such an eventuality.
Found out I had forgotten to pack my shaving stuff, so I guess, no shaving until the hike is done. Twenty days should bring out a fair bit of white facial hair for sure … Time to try to get some sleep albeit sporadic …
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