Tag Archives | Saida

The Queens gas station in Saida

I’m surprised this story didn’t make it to the Lebanese TVs yet. The Queens gas station in Saida is one of a kind in Lebanon since everything in this station is run by women. From pumping gas, to the small supermarket, and even the car washing.

Dressed in pink sweaters and jeans, with some wearing headscarves, the young women greet customers as they fill up tanks.

At least a dozen women are employed at the station, and the popularity for this particular niche service is growing.

The owner of the station hopes the concept helps the status of women in Lebanese society. One worker says that some people may find it odd to see women working in a traditionally male job, but that their demands for equality are a legitimate goal. Source

I have mixed feeling about this initiative… I mean it does deliver the message that women are able to succeed at something practiced exclusively by men around here. But is this the kind of stuff that women are looking to be equal at? Pumping gas is easy, I would have preferred to read a similar article on women in leading positions around Lebanon.

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Abou Talal – Saida’s best news analyst

Are you following Chi NN on NEW TV? It’s a new (relatively new!) comedy show featuring two news anchors, Fouad and Edmond, who keep us up to date with Lebanon’s social and political news in a sarcastic way, with the help of Jad who does on the ground funny news reports and Abou Talal who’s from Saida and positions himself as the best news analyst!

So Abou Talal knows it all and always has an answer to ANY question, be it related to politics, sports, or society! He’s just hilarious, from the way he dresses and fixes his hair to the way he comes up with smart conclusions! The video below features the best sketches for Abou Talal from season 1 of Chi NN. Make sure to watch it if you want to start you weekend with a laugh!

Chi NN is currently being aired every Monday at 8:40PM.

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A special way to celebrate Eid at Le Mall Saida

The folks at Le Mall Saida have chosen to celebrate Ramadan and Eid with their own special way. Between September 1 and 10, Le Mall will be donating part of its profit for an hour a day to the Children’s Cancer Center.

Anyone shopping there between 11PM and midnight on those 10 days has to just drop his/her receipt in the special box at the mall entrance, and part of it will be donated by Le Mall. This way you’ll be helping a worthy cause while shopping for Eid. More about the event can be found here.

Good move, don’t you think?

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Laguava resort

Beach is the best destination these days, and Laguava – Rmeileh was my choice on Saturday! Checkout some of the photos I took.

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Saida’s Palaces

Although it is the third largest city in Lebanon, but I’ve never went to Saida and made a tour in the city until a few weeks ago. It might not be the best place in Lebanon but WOW, I was impressed!

Call me an ignorant, but I really didn’t even know there was a gorgeous old city there with people living in it! The streets are so tight and cozy, at some places they’re barely 2 meters wide.

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I was also surprised to know that the Audi family (yes those of Bank Audi) were involved in manufacturing soap bars in the old city of Saida, and they have actually established a soap museum in what used to be their soap factory.

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The museum is maintained by “Fondation Audi“. If you get to visit it, you will be able to also the Audi’s palace since the museum is located on the ground floor of it, and they’re both open to the public.

Oh and not only the Audi’s are famous there, but also the Debbane family! They have a great palace in Saida, which is nearly 300 years old, and it is also open to the public. Check its entrance in the photo below.

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It’s awesome from the inside but unfortunately I was not able to take good photos there. However, you can always refer to the Debbane Foundation’s website and preview the available photos there, although I believe they do NO justice to the palace.

I do recommend that you visit Saida in case you still have not done it yet, and make sure to go through the old souk. But, if you’re looking for luxurious places to have lunch and stuff, then Saida is SO NOT for you.

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