Baalbek: Jan 25

Rain on a day visit to Baalbek, site of the Middle East's largest Roman ruins, added some serious mysticism to the history of Lebanon's Beqaa Valley.

The sanctuaries of old Heliopolis are magnificently preserved and outshine many in Rome itself!
(from personal experience)

Being theatrical and sculptural--in true Roman suit.

Rivaling the impressiveness of the ruins was the meal we experienced in the town of Baalbek.*

**Baalbek is the city headquarters of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah party. Needless to say I don't think Western (esp. American) visitors venture into the city too frequently. We set out on a soldier guard's broken English recommendation for the restaurant, followed at the heels of an elderly local man who suggested he knew the way, and were frankly a little surprised to find a fantastic restaurant at the end of the trail instead of something more...vehemently anti-Israeli (to put it politely).

We must have stayed for hours. Incredible mezzes. Wonderful raw meat (especially delicious in meat-on-meat combos). A stellar narghile (hookah). AND THIS PLATTER OF FRUIT. Easily the weirdest, most ecstatic dining experience of my life.