I've Never Bought a Closet Before

It is an interesting adventure trying to log on to my blog account. While you guys in the USofA get the blue Blogger log-in strip in English for easy navigation. I have it in Arabic. The first time I tried to log in after my arrival, I nearly gave up after 10 minutes. Then I remembered that Arabic speakers read right to left, so I should choose the icons on the other side. Victory! Of sorts. There are two things to choose, and I usually can't remember which one to pick. Anyway, I was glad to have some time tonight to catch up on everyone's blogs. The internet was surprisingly fast (everyone else at the cafe is more interested in shooting up the counter-terrorists in the wonderful? world of online gaming than searching web). So I checked email, finally filled out a change of address form online (thanks Mom and Dad for watching my mail while I am gone), and decided to write a nice, lengthy post. The caveat: I ate something that made me sick, and my intestines have informed me that I may need a bathroom post haste. Forgive the typos as I attempt to write this out quickly.

The good news is that there is an apartment in Beirut waiting for me to move in. Hiphiphooray! Although there were no lightbulbs in the place when I looked at it, I knew it was for me...all the way down to the pretty blue shutters. The place is in the middle of being refurbished, and so I get to pick out appliances and furniture that I don't have to pay for, except the tv for which I will pay half. So worth it for a modest, wall-mounted flat screen. In Beirut, the vast majority of appartments come already furnished, which for people like me is a pretty good deal. However the furniture is pretty bland and generic--almost 3rd rate motel furniture, and the linens leave MUCH to be desired. Picking out stuff that I can live with is a dream come true, and for my boss Nabil and his cousin Salah, pretty much a whole bucket of fun for them, as they discuss decorating and entertainment options. I will not be surprised if, during the course of decorating, the apartment turns into a hangout complete with, heavy metal posters, a PS3 and fridge next to the couch. That is why I volunteered to join them in their decorating excursions.

Since Salah's family owns a building, they know where all the affordable furniture places are--places that Nabil didn't want me to visit. Salah insisted, so I got to go to a whole new part of Beirut, a part that pretty much is the ghetto. As we parked, they told me not to speak English. I immediately assumed that there would be some haggling, and my language would interfere with the honest prices, so I agreed to speak in French. The store, poorly-lit with ancient fluorescent bulbs, seemed to be the Mecca of generic Beirut furniture. There were beds, closets, chests of drawers all arrayed, each with an attempt to be styled with odd carvings. I picked out the least-styled, dark wood options, even though the armoir was a little on the small side. Salah asked if it would be big enough. I replied that I had no clue since I had never purchased a closet before.

We then went across the street to look at sofas. We all decided that red would be the best option and fortunately found a simple, red L-shaped couch hidden amongst the maze of tapestry and/or animal print living rooms suites all trimmed with four-inch multi-colored trim. I understood why most furnished apartments were so bland, this was the other option: furniture designed by people obviously having a bad day.

The prices were haggled and we left; some of us rather angrily due to the prices. "These guys don't like Americans," explained Nabil. "Really?" I asked, assuming these guys like our money. Umm no. These guys really don't like Americans, which was why I was not allowed to speak in English. Apparently the whole ghetto shared their sentiments. I immediately put the hood of my sweater over my head...just in case. Then we headed to a better part of town, with much better prices. After I picked out things that I liked, the two guys spent the rest of the week buying stuff. I hear that I at least get to officially pick the linens, please oh please. Thne NAbil says he found another apartment that is closer to the bakery. (The other one is about a 10-minute walk, and has a sea-view, and did I mention the pretty blue shutters?) Whatever happens, I am still buying that tv.

Last week I had my first lesson with the Primary kids. No, they wouldn't sing with me, but I did get them to do the actions while I attempted to sing "Book of Mormon Stories" in French. Luckily those hand gestures are fun and universal. During the Sharing Time portion of the day, I showed the kids pictures of prophets and other important religious folk to discuss how Heavenly Father has a plan for us. This went well until I got to Moses. They knew who he was for the most part. I jogged their memories telling them that he freed the Isrealites from Egypt. The kids were not impressed, and made some remarks that made me think they would rather he kept them there as slaves. Oops. I will need to remember that Lebanon doesn't care for their neighbors to the South. Not that I blame them. That nation would start WW3 over kids throwing rocks. I have other views, but I'll keep that rant for another day. But if you are concerned for my safety, please know I am fine, and the Israeli jets flying overhead everyday are not dropping anything.

I ate a fabulous Lebanese meal the other day--no, not the cause for my recent intestinal discomfort--and it was delicious. For all you hummous lovers out there, you don't even know how good it can be! My next post will inform you all the details of the pad, and then you can all make airline reservations to come visit!