ROOTS

Finally, today...we were going to try and find some links to our genetic past. We drove to Hadath, or Hadat, as it is now called, going back to very ancient times. It is rather close to Beirut...only 15 min....IF THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC! Still, traffic was light today by Beirut standards, so Suzy and I went with Francois Yeghi, to see Mansour Yeghi at his home. Julie was coming down with a cold, and Cindy stayed with her. I was surprised how hilly Hadath was!  Very steep terrain . Very. We arrived at Mansour’s and decided right away to see if we could find family.  We could have never negotiated this without Mansour. Everything would have been so difficult. But Mansour knew the family and just took us to places and we popped in, so to speak, unannounced.  After the shock wore off, we were welcomed with open arms...literally. And always invited to lunch or dinner or both!  My mom had been in these same homes in the 70’s and everyone remembered her, and my aunt Alice’s visit also.  Beirut area has changed a lot, and also, Hadat...but some things never change. We met second cousins...we shared our grandparents, and tried to piece more of the puzzle and did get some new information.  We saw a home, which long ago was the typical home of the Lebanese in this area. One story , stone buildings on dirt hills, so cars...lots of Palms...and I suspect, very “biblical” looking.  First we popped in on cousin George in his tiny all goods store...so typical  of Beirut and old school environment. We was so very sweet and almost tearing up. Then we popped in on 3 Murr cousins, just a street away. Again....open arms and surprises and shock...then offers for food, drink, lunch...etc. we met cousins Badia,  Marcelle, and Maroun. They spoke enoughEnglish to tell us stories, and we exchanged pictures and hugs! Over and over.  As we left, we ran into cousin Elie on the street. He is the brother of the Murrs we just saw.

Mansour showed us where things “used to be” and we could imagine a little bit. Finally we went to Mansour’s home where Rita (his wife) fixed a wonderful typical Lebanese meal..sheesh Barack....which is time consuming to make...of course...Little meat pillows baked and put into a yogurt sauce with a bit of rice and mint. Of course we had Fattoush, and chicken and potatoes, also. And a custard for dessert.

I am so thankful I ran into this family...on Facebook! We could never have gotten so much out of our trip if we had not connected.

We returned to see the “girls” had rallied and walked to the Armenian district for some shopping!