The Scene spent the day in Beirut with fashion designer Elie Saab. Do you have a favorite hangout in the Lebanese capital? Send us your suggestions and ideas and read your comments below.
_________________________________________________ • From: jenna hage-hassan; detroit, us • Posted: Nov. 11, 2006 • Comment: Every summer I travel to Lebanon. I know Beirut as one of the world's most gorgeous cities. It has its own distince character and it is so full of life; it truly has no equal. I was there this past summer, and as terrible as it was, I have to say that even during times of war, the city still had it charm about it. Favorite spots include the downtown area of course, as well as the beaches and the area along the Manara, the Mediteranean coast. I know the news may turn you off, but do not miss Beirut--go, you will not regrete it.
_________________________________________________ • From: mounir thoumi; vancouver, canada • Posted: Oct. 21, 2006 • Comment: im so glad to see that lebanese people are making it to the top ! congratulations. elie saab is an outstanding designer who deserves to get where he is. his designs are getting more known everywhere especially that Thaly Boustros the half lebanese top model is wearing from his designs among other important women such as queen rania and others.
_________________________________________________ • From: Rebecca; Doha; Qatar • Posted: June 8, 2006 • Comment: Elie saab is the king of fashion and taste. He is a true Lebanese patriot and I agree with the selections of Places he chose. they sum up Lebanon and are a must be/see/experience places. especially the Cedars up North!
Lebanon, what can I say about this little, tiny piece of heaven with unimaginable senses that makes it so unique? There are more beautiful, advanced and wealthier countries in the world, I have been to most! but nothing really matches that feeling you get when you visit Lebanon. True, I say it because I adore my country with all my fibers but foreigners also say it all the time!
Maybe it's because its people love it with so much passion. Maybe it's because it is undeniably a magical place that entices your senses and hypnotizes you with its diversity, the breath of love and life you see through its people and the wonders of its contradictions, the beautifully orchestrated chaos and the food! Oh My God!
Lebanese people are beautiful from the inside out and no matter their differences, they all agree on one thing for sure: Lebanon is more than Special, It is ours and we are so proud of it, of being Lebanese, I can't even describe it... I simply can't. you come and see for yourself, it is worth it...
_________________________________________________ • From: Zena Allam; Australia • Posted: June 6, 2006 • Comment: Born in Australia i have been to Lebanon 2 times in the last 2 years i plan to go July this year.Lebanon is the paradise of the Middle East, Beruit is the city with life it is the city that never sleeps.I love the people. For great escape u can go to the mountains and 15 minutes later be at the beach with friends.The shops, cafes the night clubs. For a nice relaxing time u can go for walks on the beach.It is the most amazing place i have been to.It's got it's ancient temples then it's got the more modern places like downtown .When i go there i feel like i am in a different world it is the best escape for me .
_________________________________________________ • From: Rabih; Dubai • Posted: May 25, 2006 • Comment: Beirut is the place where you'd find culture, love, friendship, sleepless nights, lovely beaches, good food, and simply the best time you'd ever have. A vacation in lebanon is one's lifetime trip. And as Chris Martin once said: how can you know it if you don't even try". So, yalla, you gotta try it...
_________________________________________________ • From: Michael le Conteur; Sydney • Posted: May 11, 2006 • Comment: i have one word that describes beirut.... FANTASTIC....
_________________________________________________ • From: Hisham Semaan; Boston • Posted: May 11, 2006 • Comment: i can't find the words to describe "Beirut" I love it. you have to see for yourself. i'm going this summer to spend 1 month in the most beautiful city on this planet. i lived in Beirut and now i wait for every year to go spend some time in it to give me that amazing feeling again. The people the food the bars the clubs the restaurants the views, all unbelievable.it's so unique that it will hypnotize you. I just pray that god will keep it blessed for all it's people to enjoy it's magic.
_________________________________________________ • From: Hagop; Oklahoma • Posted: May 10, 2006 • Comment: lebanon is THE best place that u will ever be. so dont talk crap about it just coz its in the middle east. anyways i love lebanon and i really miss it even though i go back every summer :)
_________________________________________________ • From: Antoine; Canada • Posted: May 5, 2006 • Comment: Lebanon it a wonderful country... We should not be afraid of the people puting this bombs and continue visit Lebanon.. ITS A WONDERFUL COUNTRY!!!
_________________________________________________ • From: Noelle; Texas • Posted: May 2, 2006 • Comment: Lebanon! is the most wonderful place in the world. to to me it is like heaven!And those people who are setting the bombs everywhere get this: i am not afraid of you! all u r trying ot do is just tear us apart! And if i ever catch u, u will never hear the end of it ill be sure to have a "nice little"talk trust me! And another thing I Love Lebanon! i loved it every summer of the 13 years of my life!
_________________________________________________ • From: Carlos; Madrid • Posted: May 1, 2006 • Comment: i have a lebanese friend here in Spain.he invited me to spend 10 days at his home in south lebanon last summer.we toured the whole country...nd of course Beirut!!!Dios!!that place is amazing.i have no words...we believe spanish lifestyle is unbeatable,but that was simply the most exciting experience i've ever enjoyed..thanx to all the ppl there,they're charming.the place is impressive,violent,beautiful,just like the ppl,so sexy nd stylish!just like the food!congratulations to all lebanese who appreciate their country.i'll be back some day
_________________________________________________ • From: Bill; Beirut • Posted: Apr. 25, 2006 • Comment: uhh...hello??? i gotta a beer.. want some??? hello??
_________________________________________________ • From: Omar; Beirut • Posted: Apr. 25, 2006 • Comment: I believe that some parts of this interview were missing. I felt like I saw less than what I've seen as a resident of Beirut.
_________________________________________________ • From: Fouad Fahd; Sydney, Australia • Posted: Apr. 12, 2006 • Comment: Nothing compares tyo Beirut. There's a sense of freedom you can't get anywhere else in the world. The people, food, Night-life and just about everything is great. GIve Lebanon a chance and visit. The mass media always show the negative side of things. Come once, and you'll want to come again. Can't wait to be back there.
_________________________________________________ • From: Tony Mahfoud; CT, U.S. • Posted: Apr. 10, 2006 • Comment: I was born in the U.S but i lived in Lebanon for 12 years i dont remember much but war but now that we've moved back to the U.S i go to lebanon and visit my family every summer and its the most amazing place ever to be in i would love to once again go and live there no other country can compete with how much fun we have there wit no trouble beautiful mountains the beautiful sea it's just amazing God Bless Lebanon
_________________________________________________ • From: Eddy Simonian; Denair, California • Posted: Apr. 5, 2006 • Comment: i was in lebanon this summer and it was great because we celebrated the release of geagea. my fav place was downtown
_________________________________________________ • From: Christina; Australia • Posted: Apr. 3, 2006 • Comment: i had just come back from lebanon, and the last time i went before that i was about 7. i didn't enjoy it wen i was younger but when i just went i had the most amazing time. it was the funnest. i can not wait to go back to lebanon and have more fun with my friends and family. I LOVE YOU LEBANON
_________________________________________________ • From: Malaak; U.S. • Posted: Mar. 24, 2006 • Comment: never, in all of my years of travel, have i even seen such a country. there is no where in the world i would rather be.
_________________________________________________ • From: Khalil; Texas • Posted: Mar. 23, 2006 • Comment: i think all Lebanon is a piece of heaven, where else can you swim in the Sea than 10 minutes later be skiing in the mountains? The ladies are so divine with an exotic beauty only dreamt about, i can't wait to visit there once again this summer, PARIS OF THE MIDDLE EAST except that Paris can't match up to its landscape...
_________________________________________________ • From: Christine Hedary; Fort Worth, Texas • Posted: Mar. 23, 2006 • Comment: Lebanon is a very beautiful country, you have to go there to experience Lebanon yourself. Lebanon has everything, you can go up to the mountains and you will feel as if you are so far away from the future that you live in. Also at the same time, you drive back to the city, and you feel as you have traveled though a time machine. I have experienced this myself, I was once a sheppard, it feels that I was in one of the bible stories and now, I sit here typing on the internet sending a message to the world.
_________________________________________________ • From: Sam; U.S. • Posted: Mar. 20, 2006 • Comment: i been every where in the world,with all my respect i never saw a beautifuel country like lebanon
_________________________________________________ • From: Moussa Al Rifai; Beirut • Posted: Mar. 20, 2006 • Comment: Born and lived in Beirut throughout the war; I think the Lebanese are the most dynamic population on the earth despite all their differences. Such a cultural and religious diversity is a BLISS!!!
_________________________________________________ • From: Rabea Rouhana; Boston, Mass • Posted: Mar. 8, 2006 • Comment: born and raised in boston parents are from lebanon and i have been spending every summer of my life there and all i have to say is i never get sick of it every summer gets better and better amchit number one baby
_________________________________________________ • From: Diana; FL, U.S. • Posted: Mar. 8, 2006 • Comment: In Beirut I felt closer to heaven... I have been to the world's most beautiful city like Paris, London, NY, Miami, Madrid, Rome... But I have never seen anything like Beirut! The place is full of optimism and beauty anywhere you go. The girls are just drop dead gorgeous, very well-dressed and eloquent. Most people there can speak three languages: Arabic, English and French. The food in Beirut is absolutely delicious. Beirut never sleeps. At sunset, party lights take over. In restaurants, coffee-rooms, pubs and clubs, Beirut's nights are bewitching: with soft or crazy music, the streets are wonderfully lit, and party all night. This city with its diversity, liberalism and modernism has impressed me. It should be considered a model to the rest of the middle-eastern countries.
_________________________________________________ • From: Ellie; UK • Posted: Mar. 6, 2006 • Comment: My dad is origionally from lebanon and i was lucky enough to visit there last summer. i had the most amazing time staying right on the corniche. from eating in wonderful restaurants, the bars in mono street and the clubs that i went to in hamra, i couldnt have asked for a better time. i love the relaxed and friendly attitudes that you guys have and i cant wait to return soon
_________________________________________________ • From: Emma; Greece • Posted: Mar. 6, 2006 • Comment: Their dresses are wonderful... Maybe Elie Saab is NUMBER ONE in the WORLD AS A DESIGNER... If E.Saab is living in a moral way like God say, then GOD BLESS HIM
_________________________________________________ • From: Lama; Chicago • Posted: Feb. 13, 2006 • Comment: Hello, I'm originally Lebanese (but currently live in Chicago)... I was just back in Beirut this past summer and really enjoyed a club called "Element" (at one point during the evening they bring down a huge screen and play a couple songs from a concert: which makes everyone in the club go wild as if they were part of the audience).
My friends and I also enjoyed spending time at the beach: in southern Lebanon there is a beach called Guava where you can rent out a bungalow for the night and invite your friends over for a party around the outdoor hot tub... or you can just waste away on the sand and enjoy the sound of the waves hitting the beach.
And for good food: downtown Beirut ... they have a wide variety of little cafes and restaurants: from traditional Lebanese style (hookah included!) to Asian, Italian, or French. By far, some of the finest meals I have eaten were in the city of Beirut.
_________________________________________________ • From: Mohamad Ali; Germany • Posted: Feb. 13, 2006 • Comment: Beirut is certainly a unique city, not only in the Middle East, but in the whole world. What's special about this city is that it can neither be labelled as typically eastern nor can it be characterized as western! Wherever you go in this town you will be faced with contradictions: High-rise next to low-rise residential blocks, modern office buildings next to old traditional houses, Roman ruins next to fashionable boutiques, exclusive restaurants and bars next to wartorn buildings. But amazingly, all this mad world of contradictions and juxtapositions somehow ends at the feet of the Mediterranean Sea...at the city's Corniche, where many people go jogging in the morning or for a stroll in the evening, everyone is equal, no matter what background, social status or religion one has! So be sure to stop by Beirut during your "The Scene" tour!!
_________________________________________________ • From: Ziad Ghusayni • Posted: Feb. 13, 2006 • Comment: Hey, just wanted to tell you guys that you have to stop by in Beirut during your "The Scene" series. It is by far the throbbing party capital of the Middle East, with buzzing clubs, classy restaurants, and bustling bars. Lebanese are born with "partying" in their blood, we are sociable, friendly, and simply love to live. What makes Lebanon and Beirut in particular so special is that tourists, unlike other tourist destinations, are not the only essential ones in giving the city its buzz, it is the local crowd that gives the nightlife its edge. This summer, we have attracted the best DJs in the world to come show us what they've got -- Paul Van Dyk (#2 DJ) was here in July, Ferry Corsten (# 5 DJ) was here in August, we just had Tiesto (#1 DJ) here, who mixed his beats to a massive 15-18,000 strong crowd for four hours, and we are expecting Armin Van Buuren (# 3 DJ) here in November. There is no high and low season in Beirut, the party never dies. In the day cool off by the beaches or go skiing depending on the season in the evening dine in dazzling Downtown and later party like crazy among the mixture of bars and clubs in Monot Street. In Beirut you'll find variety, class, wildness, and unlimited fun all rolled into one.
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