FT'ers in Beirut
 

So I was supposed to go spend last summer at the American University in Beirut studying Arabic but, as you all know, last summer turned out to be a crazy one for Lebanon.

It looks like I'm finally going to make it over in early October, so I'm curious how many FT'ers are there (BEYFlyer, of course, but I'm sure there are others) and if any of you would want to get together. I'd also really appreciate some local advice as the time draws near, particular in terms of where to go and, more importantly, where not to.

Thanks and I hope to see some of you in BEY later this year.


PS- not checking FT all that often this summer as I'm roaming around Europe, but I'll come back to this thread whenever I stop by FT.

I hope you manage to get together with BEYFlyer in the beginning of the month because I have him signed to a binding contract for a personal appearance at the end of it. :)

Sydneysider, you might want to check out this thread, which although overtaken by events was for a while the thread the locals used to co-ordinate get togethers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526247

BEYFlyer is the only FTer listed under BEY in the where we all live thread, but that does not mean he is the only FTer based there.

Sydneyside, anything I can do/help with, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm here and so is GK. But as Kiwi Flyer mentioned, I am sure there are a few other FTers around.

Enjoy your travels around Europe.

And for sure, there is a handful of people who never miss a nice party going on in Beirut!!!!

Best Wishes from Tokyo
( a comparative culture analysis Lebanon-Japan to follow soon: very funny, never experienced two countries with such a lot IDENTICAL things but also very OPPOSITE things)

Habibi!!! You're alive... Glad to hear from you. Sorry if I SMS-ed you at the wrong time yesterday ;) Enjoy Tokyo and hope to see you in Beirut sometime soon. Sydneysider, I neglected to add Jimmy67 to the list; he practically lives here in Beirut :D Whenever people meet up with him here, they usually say, "Oh, are you back from your travels?"

Sounds like a fun bunch! Can't wait to meet you all come October... will send some PMs as the time gets closer.

A great big, HUGE thank-you to BEYFlyer for his utterly amazing and generous hospitality to me while I was in Beirut.

FT'ers, please take extra good care of him at the upcoming FT DO in Florida. He's an amazing and great guy.

Sydneysider, I agree with you completely and we have every intention of giving him the VIP treatment in the Sunshine State.

My only disappointment about this Meet is that there will be a lot more people there who know me personally than know BEYFlyer. To any of his friends who are reading this thread, I want to extend a personal invitation for them to join us.

Sydneysider you are too kind... Enjoy the rest of your stay in my beautiful country. Hope to see you again sometime soon. All the best and safe travels.

Sydneysider, you hit the nail on the head - BEYFlyeris a prince among FTers and is the kindest, most considerate, generously hospitable and likeable gentleman I'd met in my first year of visiting FT.

I still fondly remember catching up with some lively characters at BEYFlyer's Sydney Do and believe any opportunity to meet our habibi in fascinating Beirut or abroad is worth going out of one's way for. :)

BEYFlyer is a great ambassador for his country - FT is my source for all of the social, tourism and disturbances goings-on in this country. ;)

Thanks everyone for encouraging more of us to visit our FT habibi(s)!

BiziBB... Habibi, you are hanging out with CedarJet a lot these days :D Thank you for your kind words. Miss Sydney a lot and hope to pass by again sometime soon. Take care and all the best from Beirut.

[QUOTE=Sydneysider;8523170]A great big, HUGE thank-you to BEYFlyer for his utterly amazing and generous hospitality to me while I was in Beirut.

QUOTE]

@Sidneysider: "utterly amazing" ? Details please.

@BEYFlyer & Dovster I wish you lots of fun and success for your DO. I#d love to come too. But at teh exactly same time, I'll be in Tel-Aviv