HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Old & New
Posted on June 3, 2020
A Wedding in Jordan
Posted on September 24, 2019
Jordan’s more correct name, since 1946, is ‘The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’. It is so-called because of the ruling Hashemite family, who have governed the country since 1921. The Hashemites trace their ancestry back to the founding of Islam and are called after Hashim, the great grandfather of the Prophet Mohammed. Read More
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Delicate
Posted on May 19, 2019
Thanks to AC for this week’s Delicate challenge.
MB sticks with his son’s wedding of a few days back to meet the challenge:
The Wedding of K&S
Posted on May 18, 2019
MB was in Malta in recent days for the wedding of son SB to fiancé KL.
Malta was selected as the wedding venue following the decision not to have the occasion take place in either of the home countries of Ireland and UK, and what an inspired decision that proved to be. The venue was a 200-year-old traditional Maltese farmhouse and surrounding grounds called Ir-Razzett L-Abjad, which is situated in the inland location of Iklin, approximately 20 minutes drive from the capital city of Valetta. It makes for quite a spectacular wedding venue.
MB will not go into Maltese history in this post (or any other!) which is vast, particularly in respect of the Knights of St John, The Order of Malta, the eight-pointed Maltese Cross, the unsuccessful Ottoman invasion and siege of 1565, the many spectacular churches and cathedrals, and, of course, the multiple locations that Malta has recently provided for the Game Of Thrones TV series. And much more. As this post is about a wedding, MB is aware that the ladies will only want to see some pics!
MB will not show any personal photos of family or friends, as he has no permission to do so, but will instead try to convey a sense of the occasion and venue with a small selection of more general pics, and hopes and son SB and new DIL KB (formerly KL!) will not kill MB for doing so!
Long life and happiness to the S&K.
Herewith:
The Wedding of David & Myriam (9)
Posted on September 8, 2017
D&M are escorted to the dance floor.
A small flavour of Lebanese Christain Wedding madness!
Note the video drone that hovers into view in the later stages, that was ever (silently & unobtrusively) present on the night
The Wedding of David & Myriam (8)
Posted on September 7, 2017
The Party.
Lebanese wedding parties are mad crazy affairs, and the wedding party of D&M was no exception. The venue was a resort complex called Orizon which is located about 5 minutes drive outside the town of Jbail, on the road to the famous church of St Charbel. Lunatic tribal dancers waving sticks, swords, and guns over their heads, dazzling fireworks, live music and DJ, food to die for, following a drinks and snacks reception on the entrance lawn with fountains, a free bar, all to the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, made for one hell of a spectacular Lebanese wedding bash.
Thanks so much to D&M for inviting MB to your special day. He enjoyed it immensely.
Shukran jazilan!
The Wedding of David & Myriam (5)
Posted on September 7, 2017
The Wedding Ceremony.
As MB has already mentioned, the wedding ceremony of D&M took place in the Christian Maronite Church of St Jean Marc in Byblos, which is part of the modern day Lebanese town of Jbail. MB’s previous Lebanese wedding experience in December 2016 witnessed a Christian Orthodox ceremony in which the bride and groom do not utter a single word throughout. There was no “I do”. But, for the information of those who may not know, the Maronite Church is a branch of the Roman Catholic church, so the ceremony on Sunday last was similar in most respects to a Catholic Church wedding in Ireland – but no pictures of St Patrick were evident!
Anyway, the church interior and its floral decoration were stunning, as followers can see:
The Wedding of David & Myriam (7)
Posted on September 7, 2017
Time for Desert!
MB spent 2 full days in Lebanon, one of which was spent at the wedding of D&M, and 2 part days travelling to & from. He returned to Qatar some 3 kilos heavier than when he departed. It’s not difficult to see why:
The Wedding of David & Myriam (6)
Posted on September 7, 2017
Feeding Time.
Weddings are tough work. For the participants and guests alike. The food can not come soon enough for most. And on the occasion of D&M’s wedding, MB can assure followers that the food was mouthwateringly delicious and amazing!
The Wedding of David & Myriam (4)
Posted on September 6, 2017
The Bride Arrives.
Nobody cares about the groom. Any groom. In any country. Except maybe his mom. He just arrives as early as he can with his best man in tow and prays that half of those invited actually show up. He prays even harder that the bride will show up. Inshallah she will!
But when the bride arrives, that’s when the excitement starts……..
The Wedding of David & Myriam (3)
Posted on September 6, 2017
The Guests Arrive (2 of 2).
And they just kept arriving………..
The Wedding of David & Myriam (2)
Posted on September 6, 2017
The Guests Arrive (1 of 2).
MB lodged himself just inside the church entrance under some foliage to protect his follically-challenged head from the warm August rays. He had arrived at the church grounds some 30 minutes before the wedding ceremony was to take place to capture the location and the guests as they arrived. Despite wearing an open-neck shirt, minus any tie, it was still perspiration weather due to Jbail’s summer humidity, a consequence of its juxtaposition next to the adjacent sea.
And so the guests arrive:
The Wedding of David & Myriam (1)
Posted on September 6, 2017
The Church.
MB mentioned in a recent post that he was again amongst the Lebanese for the wedding of a work colleague. The ceremony took place on Sunday last in the 900-year-old Christian Maronite Church of St Jean Marc in Byblos, in the modern-day town of Jbail, Jbail being situated on the Lebanese coastal highway approximately one hours drive north of Beirut. The beautiful old stone-cut church lies in the port area of the ancient habitation, next to the Crusader Castle which was built around the same time.
The church was constructed in the year 1115 AD, according to MB’s research, as the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, and is today dedicated to St John Mark, the patron saint of Jbail. It is thought that St JM was the founder of the first Christian community in the locality.
As a location for a wedding ceremony, perfect!
Foto Friday – Assaha Hotel, Beirut.
Posted on August 25, 2017
MB will head to Lebanon next weekend (the Islamic Eid Holiday weekend in the Middle East), where he is invited to a wedding in the ancient town of Byblos. Having seen the church and party venue online, it promises to be a great photo opp occasion for MB and his camera. Big thanks to work colleague DAM and his wife-to-be for the invitation.
The below photo is from the inside of Assaha Hotel, where MB spent the first night of his December 2016 previous Lebanon wedding trip. He received some special hospitality from local residents on the following morning on a local street when he went to buy a local phone sim card. But that’s a story for telling at another time.
Irish Wedding Dance
Posted on March 18, 2017
For MBs Lebanese friends in particular, who like their weddings!
Video taken from the Irish Post website:
