Cultural experiences

The Food of Lebanon

After spending a month living in Lebanon with a local family, I had many opportunities to really get to know the food of Lebanon. Prior…

I sat on the formal couch and listened to the Arabic words swirling around me; lightening fast and coming from every direction. I looked at…

“Things may start shaking, so don’t make any plans on February 14th,” said Walid. ‘Shaking’ was Walid’s term for instability. He went on to explain…

Europeans call it Shisha, Lebanese refer to it as Nargile, and in English, it is Hookah. However, I prefer the name Hubbly Bubbly, a term…

One of my favorite things about Arabic culture is the souk culture. I was first introduced to souks on my first trip abroad to Türkiye….

Lebanon is such a confusing country. It is full of contrasts everywhere you look and with each person you talk to. Just when you think…

We had been driving for about an hour outside of Aman having a pleasant conversation. But then it the question came…my taxi driver in Jordan…

Expect to be questioned when you go to Jordan. Of course, you will be questioned by your friends and family as to why you would…

Smoke billowed throughout the tent and left the area a-glow in orange. The flames lapped up from beneath the metal spherical disk. She pounded the…

As soon as I entered the house, I could smell it. The familiar scent of cardamom – my favorite spice in the whole world. Etedal…