The Boys of Summer

The boys in my hometown are rocking it.

Well, they have been at it for a few years now, but I was just too lazy to actually enjoy anything. I would just land for the summer and count the days go by.

But this year something happened. I felt a huge wave of nostalgia and kept remembering childhood summers and how careless and happy I was at that time. I remembered who I was. And I miss that girl.

So this year I decided to actually do all the stuff I always wanted to take on but never actually did.

That included paragliding which I wrote about before. I honestly think I have found an addiction. I absolutely loved flying and I have been trying to do it again but the damn weather keeps fighting me lately!

Photo: R. Abouzeid

Photo: R. Abouzeid

The experience has been borderline therapeutic and my soul needs this kind of serenity right now. The rush of jumping off a cliff and being lifted by the wind was beautifully liberating. It was not at all the scare I expected I had to overcome. On the contrary, it was overwhelmingly calming and relaxing and I am currently craving this state of mind and self.

It looks like I am going to have to find my paragliding substitute in Dubai...

Flying has given me the courage to try other things as well. The mountain is a wonderful playground if you really want to put yourself out there and experience new adventures!

And so, I conquered the mountains!

Well, not really, but I did conquer some fears and had a blast in the process. The boys at La Réserve took me and the kids for some wild fun:

A post shared by Rouba Abouzeid (@abouzeid) on Aug 22, 2017 at 6:09am PDT

Source: IG


Source: FB

Photo: R. Abouzeid

Photo: R. Abouzeid

Photo: R. Abouzeid

Photo: R. Abouzeid

Photo: R. Abouzeid

Zouzou and Ali were absolute sweethearts. The kids loved them and La Réserve. It is a lovely venue with chalets and a small pool that would make for a perfect getaway both in the summer and in the winter.

The boys know how to talk to children and I was shocked that such young men had it in them to hold entire conversations with my 6 year old Duracell Chatterbox! But they did and Mia is completely in love with the people in Ehden and I do not blame her one bit. She is even talking about staying here forever ;)

I am really proud of my hometown and the young people making things happen for themselves and the village. Ehden is truly beautiful and I am so appreciative of this new generation that is making our Lebanon shine in a positive and uplifting way. 

They are adventurous, they are passionate, they are fun and most importantly, they are contagious! You cannot help love them and what they do. They can talk you into following them anywhere and do just about anything! That is how spirited and impassioned they are!

Come and meet them, you will not regret it:

Ehden Mountain Activities
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Marc Finianos
Phone: +961.3.754928

La Réserve Horsh Ehden
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Joseph (Zouzou) Yammine
Phone: +961.6.561092

... Oh... And I cannot end without a tribute to The Boys Of Summer. The lyrics are in no way related to all that I have written above but the song has been stuck in my head ever since I typed the title! ;)  

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Fly high above the mountains

Today I crossed one goal off my bucket list:

I FLEW

I literally flew up in the sky. And it was every bit as fantastic as I had imagined.

Each year I come to Ehden in the summer, and each year I look up to the clouds and see these amazing people flying above us. Mia has baptized the yellow paraglider Le Petit Prince. Because like The Little Prince, he flies a yellow aircraft and he makes us dream.

Since then, she has been begging to fly with him. That is not happening right now, for obvious reasons. But I told her today I was going to fly one of those gliders and she got so excited.

Source: Ehden Mountains Activities

She asked me earlier if I saw him in the sky. Little does she know I actually flew with him.

Mia's Little Prince is called Marc and he totally deserves the title my daughter bestowed upon him because he is Flying Royalty.

The minute you start talking to Marc about Ehden Mountains Activities, you fall in love. He is so passionate about what he does and this is literally his life. He does not waste time promoting himself or gloating, and yet, his reputation is well established because of his commitment and professionalism as well as his dedication to doing things the right way.

In a country like Lebanon where regulations and laws governing such businesses are virtually non existent and seasonal occupations are usually dealt with like hobbies, it was refreshing to see someone so involved and dedicated.

It is not enough to adore your passions in order to turn them into your livelihood.

But most importantly, when the person you need to trust has to actually care for your safety and your life, it becomes an entirely other ball game.

Marc has got game. He is responsible and takes every step needed to be on top of things and comfortable with his clients and himself in any situation in the air or on the ground.

When it comes to paragliding in particular, he has completed all international trainings and certifications to ensure every flight is completed safely and smoothly.

Source: Ehden Mountains Activities

Source: Ehden Mountains Activities

Source: Ehden Mountains Activities

Source: Ehden Mountains Activities

This professionalism is reflected in every detail and exercise he undertakes, be it paragliding, camping, or any of the other activities he offers at the highest altitudes (zip line, rappel, caving, etc.) and yes, it is a bike on a string that you saw up there!

A post shared by Rouba Abouzeid (@abouzeid) on Aug 16, 2017 at 2:47am PDT

So if you ever swing by Lebanon, make sure you pass by my hometown of Ehden, give Marc a call and let him take your breath away.

Experience the adventure of a lifetime in the sky and make sure you check the other activities too. Off-roading to Qurnat Assawda, the highest peak in the Middle East (3080m of altitude) and spending the night at 2000m above sea level must also be on your list!

And... Enjoy!


Ehden Mountains Activities
... Call on +961 3 754 928
... On Facebook
... On Instagram

I flew, I blogged:

Ehden 2017 (1)

Ehden 2017 (2)

UAE 2017

Jounieh 2018

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Winter Girl Looks For Summer Purpose

I was born right in the middle of winter. I’m not sure if this has anything to do with my utter aversion to summer but one thing is certain: I hate it. 

I cannot stand to be in the sun, heat drives me insane and I am disgusted with the feeling of being hot and sweaty and sticky human skin. I have never enjoyed the beach or the pool and the idea of spending hours in scorching heat just to get a tan revolts me. (Yes, I know, what better place to live in than Dubai?) 

I begin to stress and nag before the season starts, just thinking of what is to come. 

And even though I am in cool Ehden right now, where the clouds are literally underneath us, I still find it difficult to enjoy my time. It is not hot nor humid and a lovely fog has been visiting us for the past few days which makes my heart smile. But still, I cannot bring myself to be content with the blessings of spending the season 1500m above sea level.

So I decided to look for reasons. A sense of Summer Purpose if you will.

Every time I am in Lebanon, I stumble upon objects from the past which make me smile. An old diary. Photographs. Books. Cassettes. They take me back to a place of serenity and calmness. If I want to be honest with myself, they were anything but calm when I lived them. But I guess, looking back, they seem quite peaceful (thank you selective memory). 

However, I will attempt to find new, current reasons to enjoy (read: tolerate) my summer. Romanticizing the past will not shorter my days nor bring more fun. The whole process might make the present even more depressing.

Since very few things seem to work these days, I should probably stick to a simple exercise. Maybe find one good, positive summer attribute for each of my senses. Come on, I can find five little things right?  

So, here we go:

Summer Purpose through the senses

Sight 
That one is quite easy. Our home overlooks one of the most stunning views in Ehden. The clouds are literally underneath us and the sunset is breathtaking every single evening. The moon sits rights in front of our swing and if we tilt our heads a little, the stars are almost at hand's reach.

Source: IG

Hearing 
I guess I could mention the crickets or the sounds of happy people celebrating weddings near us but I guess my most favorite sounds are those of Mia and Jad laughing their hearts out in the garden. They are so small and the little things makes them happy. And this alone blesses my soul.

Source: IG

Taste
My mom's cooking, real kebbe and home-made sahlab. My dad bringing us kaak from Abou Arab every week on his way from Beirut. All of those but maybe also the iconic mshabeshle or even Salem's Arabic ice cream? Or is it biscuits with raha? So many delicious treats that I can only find here. This is not helping at all. I am still struggling with my diet so I probably should have skipped that entire part...

Source: IG

Source: IG

Source: IG

Source: IG

Source: IG

Smell
The other day I woke up to smell of freshly made sahlab and I swear I was in heaven for a few minutes. I just love it and even though I have made it a few times in Dubai, there is nothing like having a fresh cup in the garden, looking at the mountains and taking deep breaths of crisp air. (Looks like I am back on food. Great).

Source: IG

Touch
Well that is a tough one considering the husband is not in town. (mwahahahaha)! I guess this is a constant in my life: holding my kids' tiny hands while they sleep. Thank God, they are still small enough to let me do it. They keep growing bigger and somehow, when I hold their little fingers, they seem so tiny. They give me so much warmth and in that moment I can actually see the immensity of my own love. I never thought a heart could expand so much but it does. Bigger than the universe and more.

Baby Mia & Mamma Mia

Baby Jad & Mamma Mia+Jad

Tiny humans. Giant love. 

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