This is a sensetive topic. The current situation in Lebanon isn’t looking as great. It’s been over 45 days since Rafic El Harriri was assasinated. It’s amazing how an entire country was held together by the vision of one man.and the day after the assasination, I got severely depressed. All my memories from 80s war torn Lebanon came flooding back to me. I’ve generally got an appaling memory, most days I can’t remember what I had for dinner; having said that there are some aspects of my life I can never forget. I remember them in explicit detail. One such memory is during the summer when my mother and brother went down to Lebanon before my father. We were invited to go on a mini trip up to the mountains and down to Beirut.

On the drive down however I remember going though war stricken streets. Buildings were completely charcoal black and full of bullet holes, and as I was sitting in the back of the car looking at my country burnt and I remember this, tears started streaming.

This trip was a turning point in my life. It’s at this point that I realised how much I cared for my country.

This trip was very special to me, since it also marked the first time I ever had a cocktail from the absolutely amazing ‘Bliss House’. This little place is right opposite the AUB and serves something like 30 different cocktails, each one more amazing than the last.

I’ve been talking regularly with a Jasmina in Lebanon for the past few months, and I said something to her that’s stayed with me.

I’ve seen my country destroyed. Once is enough, once is too much.