I’ve been making my way down the pre-travel to-do list. With under a month left till departure, it’s the usual feeling of having plenty of time to prepare and no time at all simultaneously. I worry about stupid things (like what kind of cat food is still available) and big things (like how to pay for it). I wonder why I insisted on dragging out my stay here for an extra month and a half after I quit my job and then I stress over getting the last Aanab No.4 finally published and sent out before I finish packing my books and cat into 2.5 suitcases.

Despite Lebanon’s news filling me with anxiety about what I’ve chosen for the next few months (at least), I’m looking forward to being home. I’m looking forward to walking by the sea, having coffee by the sea, and just being by the sea without needing to drive 45 minutes to get to a large body of water. I can’t wait to be able to see five different offshoots of people in one afternoon. I love being alone but I’m looking forward to not being lonely anymore.

Who else is coming to Beirut between April and October? What are you most/least looking forward to about being there?