lebanon

Impressions from the Beirut Farmer's Market

by khalil on 08/31/2009

This piece comes from our friend, fellow traveler, and man on the ground in Lebanon, Kahlil Pfaff.

A farmers market, in Beirut...why? Why invest in something like this when there are tons of green grocers and bakeries all over the country? I think the answers lie in quality food, sustainability, and community. Souk el-Tayeb (the Good Market) brings farmers, craftsmen, and producers from the various regions of Lebanon and plants them in a parking lot in Saifi, near the central business district in downtown Beirut. Reflecting the cultural and religious diversity of Lebanon the market features Druze, Sunni, Shiite, and Christian vendors from the Beqaa, the coast, the mountains, and the suburbs of Beirut.

Inside the Traveler's Mind: Kahlil Pfaff

by austin on 09/10/2008

Every traveler has a different story, each shaped by where they've been, what they've done, and who they've met. Inside the Traveler's Mind highlights stories from some of the unique travelers we've met.

Some travel for food, some for art, and some people are searching for that special place in the world that speaks to them. Our first interviewee, and a long-time friend of mine, has been fortunate enough to find that place in Lebanon. Over the past few years, he's been traveling there to do volunteer work, and in the process has found a second home. His experiences have given him a unique perspective on travel, one that I couldn't help but want to share. Check out our interview below to see what he's learned about packing light, traveling in unfamiliar places, and simply traveling well.