After that horrific discussion about sewage and effluent, I decided it is time to show you another side of Lebanon. Our first stop was the village Hasroun Qnat, the birthplace and Museum dedicated to the life work of Kahil Gibran ("The Prophet"). I was completely moved upon discovering Gibran, the painter, and rooms of paintings depicting human life with its joys and sorrows, from couples, to birth, to old age. It wasn't what I expected to see or feel. This is the mountain village as seen from the museum steps.
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| Hasroun Qnat; Mountain birthplace and Museum for Kahil Gibran |
Next, we hiked into the beautiful Qadisha Valley. From the top, we single filed past ancient olive trees, and striped rocks down a steep trail overlooking the green valley walls.
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| Qadisha Valley |
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| Hiking down down down the wall of the valley. |
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| Friends: Andrea, Phillippe, New Daddy Ryan, et moi |
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| ruins of an ancient house or ??? |
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| Cliffs of Striped rocks |
In May, waterfalls cascade down its steep sides and into a wildly racing stream.
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| Valley floor and its rushing water |
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| Gorgeous Qadisha Valley |
I received an unexpected marriage proposal from a Spanish speaking hermit who lives in an ancient sanctuary with its tiny church, high on the side of the valley wall, overlooking the valley. He moved in 20 years ago and lives a simple life; too simple?
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My reply, "I'm sorry, but I've already been there, done that!"
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