Day 8 - 9/18 (our last day) - Beirut: Shopping & saying "Goodbyes"

We didn't take many pictures on this day, Wednesday, especially the tourist kind.  Our day in Beirut was very pleasant and was spent visiting friends, doing some last minute shopping and bidding farewell to folks here in the lovely country of Lebanon.  Our shopping endeavors were assisted greatly by our dear friends Nada & Arminée.  We realize now that while we took a great many photos, we often did not photograph all of the stores in which we shopped. Often we were just too busy in the pleasant social shopping process.  We did enjoy a shop called "Oriental Gifts Centre," bought quite a bit, but didn't take any photos of their shops or helpful sales folks - we didn't even get their address.  Maybe someone can help us to better identify them...?

We started with a light breakfast at the Café Ristretto. Left to right are Patrick, Keith, Nada & Arminée. More photos!

Keith is last one to leave this restaurant on Rue Mahatma Gandhi in the Hamra District of Beirut.

Taking a shortcut, Arminée shows us how sometimes walking down the street is better than trying the sidewalks.

A wonderful shop to buy any & all kinds of nuts, the Edisson Roastary on Makdsi Street.  We bought a large bag of assorted nuts & had them all eaten before arriving home. (sorry customs!) Another photo!

A busy street corner in the Hamra District.

A most fabulous candy shop, the Nougatini Chocolatier Confiseur on Rue Jeanne D'arc. More chocolate shop photos!

Inside the Nougatini shop, we are confronted with a wide variety of luscious choices.

We didn't stop, but we did take time to photograph this Starbucks in the Hamra District.

The traffic gets heavier as the day progresses.

Near the University campus we visit again one of our favorite Internet cafes. Here Keith is finally able to meet the owner, Abi Siblini, who happens to be a citizen of Norway.

Patrick gets this interesting photo of the main room in the "Virus" Internet cafe. More Virus photos!

Check out their new web site:

www.virusinternetcafe.com

And for another touch of everyday life, Patrick photographed this local filling station.

Later in the evening it was time to visit the home of Ahmad, Fatmeh & Nada. Here we also have Patrick & Arminée. 

Good conversation & many laughs were had. Here we have sister & brother, Nada & Ahmad 

Here we have Fatmeh, Patrick, Arminée, Ahmad & Nada.

With their delightful smiles, we bid farewell to this wonderful family. However, we will see Nada back in the San Francisco Bay area upon her later return to the States.

Before saying our last goodbyes to the hotel staff & heading to the airport, Patrick & Keith enjoyed some very tasty late night snacks at the famous Barbar food establishment. More photos!

In the wee hours, actually the very early hours of Thursday, we find tired Keith at the coffee shop in the modern Beirut airport. Our KLM plane would soon be taking us to Amsterdam & then home to California.

SEE DAY 8 E-MAIL/PHOTO SAMPLER FOR MORE ON THIS DAY.

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