Beirut, Lebanon
Aug 10, 2023
Sidon or Saira as it is called locally was one of the three important city states of Phoenicia and was a part of my planned wanderings this summer. But it had been on the news recently because of fighting that had broken out in the Palestinian refugee camp between Fatah and Islamist fighters.
Talk at the hostel and advice from locals in Beirut was to give it a wide berth for a few days. But I hadn’t the luxury of more time. This summer’s trip is almost at an end and it is time to go back. The hostel in Beirut is one of those that is hard to leave. Lovely chats with random travelers, the warm vibe and impromptu concerts that last until the wee hours make me want to tarry. I am so not ready to leave just yet!
But I did manage to travel around most of the Fertile Crescent as I had intended to, I console myself. And added to it, a few other places that are not strictly a part of the fertile crescent. Cyprus was a part and I visited it in January this year, though not this summer.
I still have a few more days in Istanbul before heading back I tell myself, but these itchy feet have morphed into dragging feet and it is a hard sell. The bright note though is hatching plans for this winter’s trip.
ITCHY FEET TRAVELS 