Rail transport began in Lebanon in the 1890s while it was part of the Ottoman Empire. Over time, rail lines were built along the entire length of the Lebanese coastline. Additional tracks ran east across the country connecting Beirut and the Syrian capital Damascus. The rail system operated for close to a hundred years but was hobbled by governmental mismanagement, the expansion of vehicle transport, and the Lebanese Civil War. Lebanon’s rail system is now defunct and its abandoned train cars, stations, and tracks stand frozen in time rusting across the country. In this episode, Mariam tells us about the history of Lebanon’s rail system that she and many others hope might be revived one day.
Lebanese Arabic Transcript and English Contextual Translation
1
بتخيل كتير مرات لو إنا شي ممكن. بآخر أسبوع الشغل المتعب، أنا وزوجي مع شنطة صغيرة فيا شوية غراض، ناطرين رحلة قطار طالعة من بيروت. لوين؟ عأي مكان. قطار عالضيعة، بالشمال أو بالجنوب. قطار عالشام يعني دمشق عاصمة سوريا أو عاللادقية عالبحر.
I imagine many times if it is something possible. At the end of the tiring work week, my husband and I carrying a small bag that has few things in it and waiting a train trip leaving from Beirut. Where to? Anywhere. A train to the village; in the north or south. A train to Al-Sham, which is Damascus the capital of Syria, or to Latakia on the sea.
2
يعني رحلة سياحية سهلة ورخيصة بآخر الأسبوع، أو جمعة عيلة ببيت الضيعة الحلو بعيد عن بيروت وعجقتا وأبنيتا العالية اللي بتحجب ضو الشمس. بتحجب يعني بتخبيه أو بتمنعنا نشوفوه. ورخيصة يعني ما بتكلف كتير مصاري.
I mean an easy and cheap tourist trip at the end of the week, or a family gathering in the beautiful village home away from Beirut, its traffic, and its tall buildings that block sunlight. Btehjob means it hides it or prevents us from seeing it. Rkheesa means does not cost a lot of money (cheap).