Towards our last few weeks in Lebanon, I told my husband at least every other day, "I'm not leaving Lebanon without going to Baalbek." Visiting relatives in Lebanon makes setting firm plans difficult as there is no such thing as a plan, only a possible plan as who knows what or who would materialize? Every day plans to go to Baalbek were discussed. Everyone had some comment to contribute. But then another day would pass.
Finally the day came. My brother-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, my nephew, my husband and I left Bishmezzine. We had decided to first spend the night in Ehden at my brother and sister-in-law's summer home, then set off in the morning over the Lebanese Mountains to Baalbek. Shortly after leaving Bishmezzine, the road starts to climb. Before the road bends sharply to Ehden and starts its steep winding climb up the mountains there is a spring.
We stopped to fill our water containers and to drink cold mountain spring water under the watchful eye of the Virgin Mary. This area of northern Lebanon is known for its fresh, clear mountain springs.
Niches with the Virgin and Jesus and other saints had been carved into the cliff, for Christian communities have lived in this region of mountains and spectacular valleys for hundreds of centuries. Water is a gift; the place is Holy, in Aramaic, Qadesha.
The Virgin at the top looks over
the Qadisha Valley.
Towards our last few weeks in Lebanon, I told my husband at least every other day, "I'm not leaving Lebanon without going to Baalbek." Visiting relatives in Lebanon makes setting firm plans difficult as there is no such thing as a plan, only a possible plan as who knows what or who would materialize? Every day plans to go to Baalbek were discussed. Everyone had some comment to contribute. But then another day would pass.
Finally the day came. My brother-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, my nephew, my husband and I left Bishmezzine. We had decided to first spend the night in Ehden at my brother and sister-in-law's summer home, then set off in the morning over the Lebanese Mountains to Baalbek. Shortly after leaving Bishmezzine, the road starts to climb. Before the road bends sharply to Ehden and starts its steep winding climb up the mountains there is a spring. 
We stopped to fill our water containers and to drink cold mountain spring water under the watchful eye of the Virgin Mary. This area of northern Lebanon is known for its fresh, clear mountain springs.
Niches with the Virgin and Jesus and other saints had been carved into the cliff, for Christian communities have lived in this region of mountains and spectacular valleys for hundreds of centuries. Water is a gift; the place is Holy, in Aramaic, Qadesha.
The Virgin at the top looks over 
the Qadisha Valley.
4 comments:
I so enjoyed looking at your photos. Even though I am in Lebanon every year I hardly ever make it to Kadisha. I can totally relate when you describe your frustration in trying to stick to a plan!
there are so many interesting places to go in Lebanon. Lucky that you get to go every year; you must make a point of going to the Kadisha area. It is so spectacular. There really are no words. I hope to go back to the Kadisha valley area next time I go to Lebanon, but for me it is not so easy to get to Lebanon. If it happens, it happens. I've learned over the years of being married to a Lebanese not to set too firm a plan. Saves the frustration. In fact, I think that was one of my early lessons.
Lovely photos of an interesting place!
Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas! Hyvää Joulua!
may Joulu aato be peaceful. Enjoy your time with your visiting family. Wishing you snow.
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