Kfardebian, Lebanon

I got a bit of a late start today on account of my body’s want for sleep; so I slept in until 08:30, showered, ate breakfast (milk and biscotte toast with nutella), dressed (I’m using the gloves and sunglasses I bought in Nepal, the skullcap I bought in Switzerland, the rain jacket I bought in New Zealand (I’m not going to waste money on another ski jacket), and winter physical training pants I received in the United States), and went to the next door ski shop to get some boots, skis, and poles. After renting the necessary equipment, I dropped my shoes off in my room and walked to the ticket counter for the ski lifts, where I bought my day pass. I then began to ski in Lebanon, starting at 10:00. I first tested my legs out on the “Baby” slope, but soon progressed quickly as my memory kicked in. I then just started to take lifts anywhere and would ski down which ever piste I pleased; none of the runs were too difficult or dangerous and in most ski resorts the majority of pistes here would be classified as “Beginner” or “Intermediate”. I suppose the off-piste skiing would be nice here – one only has to watch out for some rocks not entirely covered by snow and there are no trees outside of the “Baby” slope area or near some of the other parking lots; it is a very desolate looking place. I did get a great view from Mount Mzaar and was able to see the Mediterranean Sea and Beirut off in the distance (Lebanon is a very small country). For lunch, I stopped at a restaurant next to the ski slopes and had a beer and some nuts for much needed fuel. I then continued on for two and a half hours, finishing just after 15:00. It felt great to be skiing again after a two year hiatus (Ski Dubai doesn’t count – I spent two hours there about a year and a half ago) and where ever I end up in this life, it had better be near several ski resorts. After, I finished skiing, I went back to the hotel, downgraded my clothing, and had a snack of nuts and biscotte toast with peanut butter and nutella. I typed out some journal entries and at one point walked to the convenience store to buy some much needed water and wine. Later, I ordered dinner from the same nearby restaurant that I had food from last night; I had wanted chicken cordon bleu, but they were out; so I had a pepperoni, mushroom, and olive pizza instead; I also had some cheddar cheese and a bottle of Lebanese red wine (made from Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvedre) that tasted of apples, plums, redcurrants, and earthy-flavors. I then watched most of ‘The Lone Ranger’, which was enjoyable, but bit of a mess, before going to sleep.