Hot air is coming out of the blast furnace of the glass manufacturing workshop in Sarafand on the southern coast of Lebanon between the cities of Sidon and Tyre. The temperature in the furnace is 1400 degrees apparently and outside in the shade we have a hot 34 degrees. Inside the workshop it is also very hot, sweat running down my forehead as soon as I start photographing the workers in their chores. The glass manufacturing is done on a small scale in Sarafand using mostly recycled glass trash from one big beer company in  Lebanon. The tradition is old in the region and it was at the brink of disappearing but the Khalife family is continuing with making glass and seems to be the only one in or around Sarafand, maybe even Lebanon. Besides the workshop there is a small showroom where the produce is being sold at the source, instead of buying it in more expensive and perhaps overpriced boutiques in Beirut. For sale are all kind of glasses, carafes and teardrops for decorations in all kind of colours. The workshop is somewhat difficult to find, the little side road that goes off to the right coming from Tyre is hidden between the buildings, looking more like a driveway then anything else. The only sign to the place is when coming from the direction of Beirut on the old seaside road, but even that is not accurate and detailed enough. One ends up asking for directions but calling the shop on the phone is even better, with friendly advice received and guidance given. This place is definitely worth a visit when in Lebanon and travelling to the south of the country.

Right now the weather has become very hot, not like the furnace, but sometimes it feels close to it. The heat paired with high humidity makes it nearly unbearable to go out during the daylight hours, except early morning and after or close to sunset. But what to do and I thank the person every day who came up with the idea of air conditioning. Spend a week plus in Germany, small eye operation and all went well. Even there the weather turned hot and muggy and with no air conditioning or even a fan it became quite difficult to sleep. One week or 8 days is very short and like often now, it was so difficult to get going again and fly back to work. Here in the country, as every year there are problems with the electricity, political anyway with no real solution in sight, and let's see what else is brewing or going to come our way. The security situation is volatile, as always, the situation in the east not good, always threatening to affect this country as well. Thanks to the security agencies of the country who have managed so far to avoid the slide into the abyss. As every summer one can feel the influx of tourists but most, if not nearly all are locals, i.e. relatives from abroad in the diaspora coming back to see their relatives for the summer, crowding the street, beaches and restaurants. Traffic accidents have increased and one is happy once the quieter times come back in September, when all the hussel and bussel is gone and people have disappeared again back to their chosen exiles. I am looking forward to autumn and winter, cooler temperatures and rain and the chance to enjoy the outsides again with few people and nice breezes.

I only took the x100s to Germany and made some photos in the garden but nothing really noteworthy. It is a great travel camera of high quality and with the 35mm lens and the 50mm extension it covers most situations one encounters when travelling. I like the Fuji look of the Jpgs and the colours produced. It was the last camera I bought so far, and that is already over two years ago. Right now I am not planning on a new camera, the Olympus Pen F is tempting but for my style of documentary photography, I think right now I have all that is needed. This does not mean that eventually I get weak and buy one anyway. So for now this is all from here, more next months but nothing new much anyway. Bye.