Tangent: On national identity
As much as I love Lebanon and have fond memories of the country, of the people, and of the beautiful nature, I am often reluctant to say that I am Lebanese, for various reasons. I envision a world without borders and therefore without countries, although I am not so naive to believe that borders alone create conflict, as was the case within Lebanon for 15 years, and as current tensions are escalating.
I also think it takes more than just being born somewhere to be of that nationality. After 43 years of having left the country, I can still speak and read arabic, at least enough to have found clues in the calendars and in the banners, but yet it would be impossible for me to post this text in my native language.
I am not, nor have I ever been able to drink water out of a breeq and in fact, since 1991, I am terrified to drink Lebanese water as I am very susceptible to the bacteria that real Lebanese people have no problems with. Perhaps if I had stayed in Lebanon I might be able to drink Lebanese water from a breeq, but then again...
Roll 36
Filename: 910800-36-09-LEB-fs
A waiter demonstrating the proper way to drink out of a breeq.