Ski in Lebanon

Wherever I go all over the world, people ask me about my country Lebanon. I enjoy explaining to them all the interesting things in this beautiful country. But as I explain, I realize how much Lebanon is gifted by all its nature and people and how that I didn't appreciate it as I should... . The article talks about Lebanon and its beautiful nature, specially the snow on the mountains. During winter, the ski season is a very big attraction event. I have told my experience during my first try to ski.

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Ski in Lebanon

Wherever I go all over the world, people ask me about my country Lebanon. I enjoy explaining to them all the interesting things in this beautiful country. But as I explain, I realize how much Lebanon is gifted by all its nature and people and how that I didn't appreciate it as I should. I remembered that when I was in Lebanon, I didn't go out much for hiking or a picnic. Now thinking of it, I see that a simple ride in the car is an astonishing experience and I would pay anything for it.

I was looking in YouTube and enjoying the movies when I stumbled with a movie about the ski in Lebanon. For me, it only took one hour to reach the ski place, make everything ready, and then GO. It was as simple as that. Lebanon is a small country, but it is packed with all terrains that make experiencing Lebanon an astonishing event. One doesn't need much time to go from the mountains to the beach, from north to the south. All of that with so much interesting views and stations.

While watching this movie, I remembered my first time I went to ski. It was a total disaster at start. It all went ok till I reached the top with all my ski clothes and tools. I was preparing myself to make my first ride down the low slope of the little hill (for beginners). But I discovered that I should have asked how one should walk with the ski shoes. Now my feet are two meters long and one cannot bend his knee to walk. That was a stupid thing to do anyway. So I began pushing my legs back and forth, but it did little help. I pushed with the ski sticks to get a better throttle that would speed me up, now that did help, but not for long. What made things worse is that I finally took my eyes away from my feet just to see little kids sliding like professionals on the snow. Then I felt really stupid. That added to my frustration, as if I needed any. But a good thing is that they seem to be busy skiing and not looking, so I went on with my baby walk.

The beginning of my downhill was straight with no much slope, so that took some effort to cross, with lot of pushing and shuffling. I saw that the slope is now nearby and was in relief. After I began to feel that I needed less pushing to go forward, I felt comfortable and started enjoying my ride. Not long enough I started to feel the air hitting my face as I began accelerating down the hill. Yuppie, now the action began. So I took a bending position like professionals preparing for a long jump and down the hill I went with a high speed that no one can catch me from those ski amateurs I left behind. The ski way was not so straight, but no problem, it is only an obstacle for the professional to enjoy overcoming. But then I discovered what my second question should have been: "How should I stop with these things on!". As a professional, I started to panic. I wanted to move away from the mountain side, so I leaned to the left, and I did manage to make a slight turn just enough to go back to track. Now you have to give me a credit for that. Maybe writing it in your website or publishing it in a newspaper or something.

But not long enough, again, I discovered what should have been the third question: "How can anyone stop while gliding on snow with ski shoes on!". This time I didn't panic, because I was a way beyond panic, I was hysteric. So I started waiving for people to move away right or left till I manage to stop my motor and find my brakes. Then I saw a beautiful young lady in my way, and I though, well it is ok to slam in her, it is a bit romantic and she seemed nice and friendly. But as I approached her, she pushed me like a cannon ball and I fell on the ground and almost in a nearby ditch that would have sent me to a nearby hospital. How nice and friendly to push someone; A typical thing from Eve.

But not long enough, I discovered the third question that I should ask: "How on earth one can stand up with two meter shoes, over the slippery snow, and with the head on the downhill side. No this took a lot of energy out of me as I tried several times to stand up but with no success. It seemed an impossible thing to do. All my war clothes added to my weight and my ski shoes were overweight too. I hoped that my brother Fadi would pass by and help, but it seemed that I should wait a lot. My "integrity" as a pro prevented me from asking help of the children around me (I was in the baby level, remember?). Then I managed to think of taking my ski shoes off and then I would be able to stand up. This was so tricky since the ski blades and the shoes were connected together in a special mechanism that I should crack open.

I tried pushing and pulling my shoes, but nothing prevailed. I discovered a button behind my shoes and pressed with all my force on it, but nothing. With a great frustration, I then decided to take off all my shoes, stand up, and then putting them back on.

Few more tries, and I started to really enjoy it to the degree that I didn't want to stop it.

Below is a nice movie advertising the ski in Lebanon. Hope you enjoy.

written on Sat, Oct 28, 2006

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Samer Saliba

Ski in Lebanon

Ski in Lebanon

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