this weekend. The weather has gotten now hot and humid here at the coast, so it was time again to go up into the mountains. Since many areas in the country here are not really 'safe' to visit anymore, especially up north and to the east of the Bekaa Valley, there is only the Chouf Mountains or the Metn or Cedars north of Beirut. Since the Chouf is closer by, it cost less nerves driving there. I said less nerves but it still costs nerves to drive, it is incredible how people can change if seated in a car. For most I'd say they should use a bicycle or walk but no cars or anything alike were they can hurt someone else or even themselves. Regularly my blood pressure is going through the roof when on the road with these people, Lord have mercy.

Anyway, besides all these harrowing stories of driving it was a usual nice up in the Chouf, having lunch at the Mir Amin Palace Hotel. It was quite but it was the Saturday, so many people came only later and there were lots of tables vacant and the pool was empty as well except for a few sun worshipers. The food, as always was excellent and the scenery and atmosphere is serene. One can see the heat of the coastal plains and on clear days in winter the sea from the pool side. I think an overnight at this hotel is more than due. The temperature were nice, a breeze and no humidity.

I wonder how long we will be able to travel freely in this country. The eastern desert is heating up and a hot wind is blowing into this direction. Tripoli has not really come to rest again and little things happen here and there. When is the spark going to fly that will ignite this, the atmosphere is very conducive. We can only take it one day at a time, hoping that nothing happens in the country and outside and that the southern neighbors do not decide to come and visit again, uninvited as they are. With all these things going on, these neighbors seem to get itchy feet and the engines are being warmed up on their tanks. Next weekend I have to decide to go to Byblos or come back to the Chouf but go higher up to the Cedars and the ridgeline, should be cool there. End of the months I am going back to Germany for 2 weeks, active holiday for changing the heating and painting in the house.

As always I also stopped in the "Monastery of the Moon" (Deir al Omar) to have a drink and this time ice-cream in Al Midan at the town square. Some of the images are from there, many of the photos shot with the Leica Summicron 50mm. It gives nice results but sometimes the focus is off, even using the EVF. So should I buy the Olympus 90mm? I am very much tempted, the price came down. I do like shooting with the EP2, it brings many things of the Leica M days back into my photos but it is not the same.

I wont write about the office, as usual nothing worth mentioning. I am still debating about trips to take next year, Asia seems to become a favourite. Japan in spring for the cherry blossoms sounds real good, so planning and logistics are starting now. Turkish Airlines has a good connection and the price as for now is not bad, even Business Class that I could treat myself to.

'Afternoon light in Deir Al Omar - Going home from work. According to the newspaper, over 30000 Syrians left the country in the last few days or week. Wonder why, who told them and what? If things are happening here I want to be in the country, so going now out is not really my favorite but it has to be done. I'd rather stay and wait for the things that might come, but hopefully wont. Strange, I don't want thins to happen, but if they will indeed happen, I don't want to miss them. I guess I have been to long touring the world and still look for adrenaline.

Beautiful light coming through this window in the Mir Amin Palace hotel. What a place, I certainly have to stay, at least once.

Otherwise all is good, head still working:), all is well. For this week this is all, Good Bye.