P.56 – 78Chlifa – Interesting to Know

Juniper Tree

Karim had sad memories about a Juniper Tree. “What does that idiot know about Juniper trees? What does

she know about juniper branches and the wind wailing through juniper branches and the red earth split by juniper roots?” (P.20/21)

Beirut todayCapital of Lebanon 1 million plus inhabitants

5 000 years old Being rebuilt – 25 year plan

Originally named Beroth, One side Juts into the sea

City of the Wells Mountains behind

Beirut during the warTotal destruction A city divided by the Green LineDebris everywhere 200 000 dead; 120 000 injured

Mount LebanonArabic: Loubnan – means” milk “ or “white”

Refers to the snow-covered peaksStretches from north to south – forms the country's spine

Distance from Beirut to Chlifa

80 kilometers – Chlifa lies between the mountains and the Beqaa Valley in the Baalbek area, on the other side of Mount Lebanon, at the east foot of the mountain

Chlifa 1 000 meters above sea level Population: less than 300

The Lady with the Unicorn – one of a series of tapestries

An elegantly clad woman in a long golden gown is playing a miniature organ set on a stand draped with a tapestry. On the other side of the organ, a second smaller woman is holding something, maybe a book of music or a bellows. Around the two women stand a lion, a unicorn and several small animals. They're on an island of greenery, like a soft, soft carpet sewn with many colourful flowers. The background is red; it too is strewn with flowers and leafy branches. (Page 72)

The Nahr el-Kelb

Literal English translation: Dog RiverIt runs for 19 miles (31 kilometres from a spring in Jeita near the Jeita grotto to the Mediterranean sea.