The Women's Beach

one of the placest that first stole my heart...a true cultural immersion moment...seeing the liveliness of the lebanese women..a glimpse of who they truly are...hours and hours of sun, sand, ocean, food, and dancing...one of my favorite spots in the middle east, for sure.

with an early start, we headed to my beloved women’s beach. but as we arrived just before 10 am, the place was packed. Hundreds of women were already there. Not even a spot, a chair by one of the 5 pools. wow. this is not the typical arab way...these women know what they want. enough to even get here real early. =)

we settled into our camp on the sand and immediately the hartsock kids are scurrying about building sand castles, testing the water, and finding crabs. i am lathering the baby sun screen on my cutie and breathing in the sounds of life. that is what it is here. Life.

if you as much as smile at someone here, they come over and say hi. if you greet them, they will welcome you to their country and ask you tons of curious questions. so sweet, so welcoming.

so restful, so easy. flowing between water, sun, and shade. between talking with friends and striking up conversations with the native lebanese and sharing things that God is doing in our midst.

and then the dance hut kicks in. music blaring, women of all ages and shapes and sizes flock to the hut to dance. all of them singing along to the latest songs, loving to teach their dancing skills to the uncoordinated american(me). Claire was taking it all in. the music was so loud and the scene so exciting, she loved it, but only wanted her mom to be holding her. a couple of happy, friendly arabs tried...but she would have none of that. she wanted to take on this scene from the arms of her momma.

o lebanon, how i love the moments you make and the way you suck the marrow out of life!!!