Learn Lebanese Arabic with transcribed podcast episodes exploring Lebanon and its people | تعلم اللغة العربية باللهجة اللبنانية مع البودكاست الأسبوعي والمكتوب الذي يعرفك على لبنان وشعبه
The Lebanese cedar tree has held cultural and economic significance throughout history and is the principal feature of the Lebanese flag. The Barouk forest is one of the largest reserves of cedars in the country. In this episode, Rana and Khaled chat about their hike to Barouk forest, which is located in the Chouf region. … Continue reading Episode 82 – Barouk cedar forest
The sun is out and so is Khaled! He calls Rana asking for her suggestions, as he is planning a trip to the beach with his siblings. They go over the most famous Lebanese beaches, from Anfeh in the North to Naqoura in the South. Dive into this week’s episode to know more about Lebanon’s … Continue reading Episode 74 – Lebanese beaches
Sursock Museum is one of the most prominent museums in Beirut. It represents an important landmark of the city’s cultural scene. Not only does it have a distinct architecture, but also an impressive interior. In this episode, Rana takes us a journey down memory lane, recounting how the museum evolved from being a beautiful palace … Continue reading Episode 63 – Sursock Museum
Fadi and his family decided to spend next weekend in a hotel by the beach in Byblos. He is calling to book the rooms. Farah, the hotel receptionist, answers the phone and tells Fadi about the hotel rooms options, amenities, and scheduled events. Fortunately, it turns out that the hotel has lots of options and … Continue reading Episode 59 – Skit: hotel reservation
Christmas as a holiday is celebrated around the globe but there is always room for cultural differences in celebrations, tales, and customs. Lebanese Christmas celebrations include bounteous food spreads with family, Santa visits, big lit up Christmas trees, and goodies filled holiday markets. In this episode, Rea takes us on a tour of the major … Continue reading Episode 57 – Christmas in Lebanon
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 … Continue reading Episode 50 – Lebanon’s defunct train system
The Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) is a long-distance hiking trail that runs the length of Lebanon. It extends from Andaket in northern Lebanon to Marjayoun in the south. The trail is 470 km long and passes through more than 75 towns and villages at altitudes ranging from 570 to 2,011 meters above sea level. The … Continue reading Episode 45 – The Lebanon Mountain Trail
The Ammiq Wetland is the largest remaining freshwater wetland in Lebanon. It is a remnant of an extensive ecosystem of marshes and lakes that once existed in the Bekaa Valley. The swamp is one of the Lebanon's biodiversity hotspots and lies on one of the most important bird migration routes in the world. In this … Continue reading Episode 44 – Ammiq Wetland
Ain el Mreisseh is an old seafront neighborhood in Beirut. In the last few decades new tall buildings and a thoroughfare along the shore blocked views and sounds of the of sea for most of the neighborhood’s residents. In 2019, a new urban design project created a set of pipes to carry sounds from the … Continue reading Episode 41 – Sounds of the sea
Handicraft making is a popular profession in Lebanon. It reflects the traditional and artistic face of the country. Some families have specialized in this field for generations. Lebanese handicrafts often celebrate village life, social traditions, and the country's mountains and cedar trees. In this episode we discuss some of the most famous Lebanese handicrafts and … Continue reading Episode 32 – Traditional handicrafts