We are leaving in a bit to go solidify the deal with our new apartment. This one is in Hamra, which is West Beirut. It’s a lively neighborhood, predominately Muslim but actually rather mixed, and AUB is near, so there are also a lot of students and foreigners. The apartment has several balconies and terraces, which has turned out to be my number one criteria for every apartment that we have seen. Most apartments here have at least one balcony, but all balconies are not created alike. This apartment has what is essentially a 25X10′ deck. I am totally guessing, so I will modify that if it turns out that I am just wrong.

The building is owned by the Sidani family, and the tenants all seem to be Sidani family members or foreigners. They seem to want to rent exclusively to foreigners. They have been extremely gracious and accommodating. It was strange how we found the place. Our friends Naomi and Rich (we stayed with them here when we came before- the friends of Katy’s cousin, Sarah), who have since moved back to NZ, told us that we should try to rent in this building. They had lived here the year after we were here. Then we found it without knowing it was that building, b/c there was a for rent sign. So it seemed to be meant to be. Apparently, one of the brothers has a taxidermy business on the roof, which we have not yet seen.

Also, I want to mention that the other day I found a dead tarantula.