Comments on: Beirut For Dummies, By Dummies http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/beirut-for-dummies-by-dummies/ Blogging Lebanon since 2005 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:11:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Melinda http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/beirut-for-dummies-by-dummies/#comment-9746 Melinda Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:15:22 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/an-investigation-like-no-other-2/#comment-9746 She definitely puts a positive spin on things-- which is sort of an irresponsible one for her as a journalist to do. She obviously didn't visit the not-so-touristy and glitzy areas of the city to give the "bigger picture" to everyone. But, alas, she probably didn't have cajones to. Or couldn't find someone with them to escort her-- we Americans (and most other Westerners) are urged by our State Department to not travel to Lebanon, and if we're there, to get out. And if we're hell bent on going, to avoid certain areas where the government has "less control" (i.e., the southern part). I wouldn't blame her for not knowing what labneh is-- it's sort of a difficult one to put into words! "Somewhere in between yogurt and cheese as far as taste, appearance, and description goes" is what I'D say as an American trying to describe it to someone else in the West. And then it sounds rather unappetizing, eh? All in all, I agree with you-- kinda blah. And typical of travel writers here in the West. She definitely puts a positive spin on things– which is sort of an irresponsible one for her as a journalist to do. She obviously didn’t visit the not-so-touristy and glitzy areas of the city to give the “bigger picture” to everyone. But, alas, she probably didn’t have cajones to. Or couldn’t find someone with them to escort her– we Americans (and most other Westerners) are urged by our State Department to not travel to Lebanon, and if we’re there, to get out. And if we’re hell bent on going, to avoid certain areas where the government has “less control” (i.e., the southern part).

I wouldn’t blame her for not knowing what labneh is– it’s sort of a difficult one to put into words! “Somewhere in between yogurt and cheese as far as taste, appearance, and description goes” is what I’D say as an American trying to describe it to someone else in the West. And then it sounds rather unappetizing, eh?

All in all, I agree with you– kinda blah. And typical of travel writers here in the West.

]]> By: kara http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/beirut-for-dummies-by-dummies/#comment-9745 kara Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:05:46 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/an-investigation-like-no-other-2/#comment-9745 I tend to agree with MM, though will go back to read the article. Mustapha, in the US, even the Arab manufacturers sell labneh as cheese ("kefir cheese") no kidding!!! I tend to agree with MM, though will go back to read the article. Mustapha, in the US, even the Arab manufacturers sell labneh as cheese (“kefir cheese”) no kidding!!!

]]> By: MM http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/beirut-for-dummies-by-dummies/#comment-9744 MM Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:48:23 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/01/31/an-investigation-like-no-other-2/#comment-9744 You are too tough on the reporter Mustapha. The piece is not as bad as you make it out to be. Slightly mischarecterising certain Lebanese specialty foods is understandable if its coming from foreigners. From experience, I can tell you that going out at night in Beirut clubs and restaurants and the kind of clubs and restaurants in Beirut (decor, size, music and ambiance) more than measures up with clubs and restaurants in NY & Paris. She was referring to the going out at night experience rather than Beirut as a city "putting NY and Paris to shame" At the end of the day keep in mind that the context is to encourage more people to fly to Beirut using Czech airlines. It's a promotional piece by the airline. As promotional pieces go - this passes as an more than OK. You are too tough on the reporter Mustapha. The piece is not as bad as you make it out to be. Slightly mischarecterising certain Lebanese specialty foods is understandable if its coming from foreigners.
From experience, I can tell you that going out at night in Beirut clubs and restaurants and the kind of clubs and restaurants in Beirut (decor, size, music and ambiance) more than measures up with clubs and restaurants in NY & Paris. She was referring to the going out at night experience rather than Beirut as a city “putting NY and Paris to shame”
At the end of the day keep in mind that the context is to encourage more people to fly to Beirut using Czech airlines. It’s a promotional piece by the airline. As promotional pieces go – this passes as an more than OK.

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