Beirut and all the Crazy Details

I am pretty sure you have all been waiting impatiently for the details, and since I officially gave notice at work today I can spill.

A couple of months ago a pastry chef friend moved to Dubai to work at a cupcake/American-style bakery. Being a girl that likes to see the world, I was immediately envious and suggested that he tell his boss about me. After all, I happen to work at an incredibly popular cupcake bakery. As it turns out, this friend told his boss about me, and last Monday I was offered a job in Beirut, Lebanon.

I wasn't exactly expecting that location, and I nearly turned them down. It doesn't sound like a very safe option for a pasty American female. However that little voice inside suggested I hear what the bakery bosses had to say, and my roommates and I immediately began to google Beirut to see if it is really as dangerous as we think.

After two phone interviews, answering questions like "will employees respect me," "what language will be spoken in the bakery," and "what voltage does Lebanon use," I felt ready to accept their offer. Don't worry, I contemplated and prayed about the opportunity. It turns out to be the odd answer to some prayers of frustration in my life. I like to travel, and, thanks to a mission and time in France, I like to live outside of the country. I also wish I spoke more French. So besides being an amazing work opportunity, it fills that need to live hors de mon pais, and use that French degree I acquired.

In Beirut I will do pretty much the same stuff that I do here, but more baking and with more travel. According to the new bosses, I will be able to visit Dubai and Amman, Jordan, as well as other future locations. Many Lebanese are French educated, and thanks to French control after WWI, French is the second most used language in the country. My boss will cover my rent, health insurance, and airfare.

Now to answer some of the questions I have received, and other things I have learned:

1. Yes, I am crazy.

2. I won't be speaking full-time French, but perhaps a nice mix of English, French and Arabic, or EngFreBic.

3. I will not have to dress up a boy to go dancing.

4. I do not have to be veiled in public. Or wear a sari. Indian women wear saris.

5. My church is an officially recognized religion, so I will not risk getting arrested while worshipping. Yes, there is a branch. And I had to contact some important people in Salt Lake to get information about the branch.

6. You better come visit me.

7. No, I will not be visiting Jerusalem. If I do, the Lebanese government would not let me enter the country again.

8. If there is another...ummm...conflict in the country, the bakery will send me to another franchise elsewhere in the Middle East.

OK, that's all I can think of right now. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I will try answer them while I am getting ready to ship out. And I will try to keep the blog posted as much as I can.

So that's the scoop!