Lebanon Travelogue 3

It’s a roller coaster…this ride in Eva-Land. You all know this by now, but things could get even bumpier these next couple days. Buckle up.

In order to dive into our last full day in Lebanon (9/30), we must first go back once again to the first full day of the Thimar conference…that was Thursday, if you’re keeping track. You can remember that day by 1 of 3 ways. Maybe it’s because it was the day my superstar hubby sat on his panel (YAY CHRIS! #browniepoints)…maybe it’s the fateful TOILET incident (still scarred)…or maybe it’s that I kept thundering about how rested and refreshed we were feeling after our single night of rest. I remember it for the latter…that delusional thought that I was clear-headed and could make life-altering decisions with the blink of an eye…yep, that’s the one. Because it was on that bright and cheerful morning that we checked in for the conference and were asked that all-important question:

THIMAR: “So will you be joining us for the Cedars of Lebanon hike on Saturday morning?

COMBO: “Hike???” says I…at the literal EXACT moment by revered husband said enthusiastically, “YES, OF COURSE!”

IDIOT WHO SLEPT WELL: “I’m not sure though…I didn’t bring appropriate clothing or shoes for a hike!” (starting not to feel so cheery and bright)

THIMAR: “Oh ANY shoes and clothing will be fine! It’s MOSTLY FLAT. So EASY.”

SUPERSTAR PANELIST: “See?!? You’ll be fine! You’ve GOT to see the Cedars of Lebanon while you’re here!” (We get it REV…it’s in the Bible and all!!)

BACK TO THE IDIOT: “Ok then. I guess we’re doing the hike. The mostly flat, easy hike. Yaaaaaayyyyy.” (shakes hands in fake celebration)

So there we were…on another bright and early morning in beautiful Lebanon…on another very long journey by bus, to the Cedars. (that’s why the conquerors call them once, ya know, they’ve officially conquered the super easy, mostly flat, trail. At this point in the story, if you, oh naive one, think I’m going for overkill here, I can assure you, I am not. Just the facts, ma’am. Just the facts. Some people came a veeeeery long way to use the toilet because they decided they were not going to join in the hike…the plan was to meet this small group of non-hikers (read, “smart human beings”) on the other said of the mountain. Even as we continued to curve up, up, and away, I kept wondering how this would plateau to reveal the “mostly flat” part. But again, I was assured this was the case…even once we’d disembarked and started to CLIIIIIMB to the STARTING POINT, we kept hearing how MOSTLY FLAT the hike was. Listen, friends, I love a good challenge. Actually, in appropriate attire and support, I may not have even paused to think (because I’m naive about what I’m capable of doing in my old age, not because it was actually FLAT). But in my dressy tennis shoes and cargo khakis, I was, shall we say, taking the time to pause. As I looked around, many were just wearing sandals! I even took a video once we finally got uphill, to start our climb uphill…just so y’all can’t come at me with this “exaggerating” nonsense. At that point, almost everyone in the group was heaving. The only realization we could land on was this…dude…y’all have never been to the great state of Iowa. Go ahead and hop a plane (but do refer to travelogue 1 for tips and tricks) and let me SHOW you what’s MOSTLY FLAT. Cuz this ain’t it. We have VERY different definitions of the word “flat.” Or the word “mostly.” I’m telling you, there are some XC teams that would not have fared too well! Now listen, Eva is not in her prime…she’s not even in her post-prime…she’s on the dark side of the moon in almost every way. (Yes, it helps me cope to speak in 3rd person in these conversations.) But friends…we had some precious people on our trip that probably (please read this as MOST DEFINITELY) should have the joined the group that just met us on the other side of the mountain. I looked like I was fit as a fiddle in comparison, and we were genuinely concerned about halfway through if some of them would be able to finish it…which would post an additional problem if they couldn’t because no one brought an ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE that could retrieve them! The lead group…which did contain yours truly, thank you very much…was getting a little nervous as we waited for stragglers to arrive. Dicey, my friends…it was dicey. But in the end, it really was an amazing experience and, in fact, it was true that my apparel was not my primary concern after all. It was survival.

Ok. How are we doing? That was all before noon. We stopped by some road side place to grab food (no, for real…I have no idea where the sandwiches came from…they just appeared after us pulling over very briefly…we didn’t order…it was just all the same thing…smart idea) and then headed straight to our next excursion. The sandwiches were really good, which we ate in the parking lot of the next stop. This will seem tame in comparison, but never fear, dear reader…mayhem always finds me.

We then toured a palace of some big-wig prince. Please don’t ask me his name…I didn’t write it down quickly enough. But he was a big deal, with a big ‘ol palace that’s experienced a tremendous amount of history. :) Some of the most notable things…this prince became a Christian at some point but had to hide his faith from all…so he hid Christian symbols in building projects like ceilings and his private bath house…most of which you can’t see with the naked eye. Also, there is a glass chandelier on display that was a gift from Napoleon as a bribe to get the prince to help him against the Ottomans. The prince took Napoleon’s letter directly to the Ottoman big dude to garner praise for loyalty (so he tattled basically), who made him write a letter to Napoleon to proclaim his Ottoman allegiance (which he did)…then he secretly sent Napoleon another letter, along with food and supplies (betraying the Ottoman dude)…then he didn’t end up helping Napoleon after all and went back to the Ottomans!! What the world, man?! Hopefully all that treachery was before the Christian part! The palace was pretty cool overall, but we actually heard the guide saying people could drink from the large fountain of spring water. We just kept saying…not a good idea…don’t do it…but a handful took the risk, and one guy filled up his water bottle three times! I’m not saying this caused the stomach issues people started complaining about that night, but I’m not NOT saying that.

Speaking of…and now here comes a big ol’ curve and dead drop on the roller coaster…I definitely did NOT drink the water, but I started feeling just off by the end of the earlier hike. I figured it was the long bus rides or not enough water. But this was also that same feeling I mentioned earlier on our flight into Beirut. All through the palace I had to keep taking breaks and bent over just to clear my head multiple times because of the dizziness. I didn’t mention it to anyone…shocker…but the pain was bad enough that I begged out of the ABTS graduation ceremony that night and sent Chris without me. I was out in minutes from him leaving the room! That also means we missed the final dinner with our Lebanese friends…a big bummer…but I just couldn’t do another dinner until 10pm, nor could I even think about eating when Chris ordered some food to the room later. I won’t list all the symptoms or hash all that out in this format, but I had what I believe could only have been a gallbladder attack. Just before our trip, I had a doc suggest that the gallbladder might be the cause of many of my ongoing issues from the past several YEARS, mind you. I’ve got scans and appointments set, but they couldn’t get them in until after our trip. When I checked in with Dr Google on symptoms, I was shocked to see Eva’s past couple years in list form! SO we just started praying that we would be able to continue our trip and not be forced to head home. So far, so good. But if you’re of a mind to pray on that, I wouldn’t say no. Spoiler alert, my family has been praying, I know…and we’ve made it 6 more days since so I know the prayer is effective. That’s really the only reason I’m sharing this even now! Because last Sunday morning when someone suggested we head home, I began to wonder if they weren’t right…we’ve been taking one day at a time ever since.

And so…we’re off again tomorrow…but stay tuned for some general thoughts on our time in the Middle East and European travel. AND THEN…the one you’ve all been waiting for…you just won’t believe what’s coming your way. Thank you for your prayers.