What do you miss most about living in Beirut?

I miss walking on the street with people I know, I miss speaking Arabic, I miss unique people, I miss driving despite the commute being easy in Toronto. Having a car in Beirut and being able to go somewhere whenever I needed to is just easier.

I miss specific places in Beirut, AUB [American University of Beirut], the sea. I miss my friends and family still in Beirut. I miss the comfort aspect of belonging in Beirut. I still feel like a tourist in Toronto like it is just temporarily mine.

I miss the food and how you have trusted places when you need to buy meat [from the butcher] or fruits and vegetables [from a produce vendor] who you know and people to locate the meat, chicken, or fruits and vegetables.

Who was part of your support system in Beirut?

My parents, cousins, and close friends.

How did Beirut feel like home
to you?

The entire city felt like home. It’s hard to explain.

I was born there. Beirut itself is home.

If you could ask someone from Beirut to move to Toronto, who would it be and why?

I would ask my cousins Hicham and Amal to move to Toronto because having them here would complete me, and I speak to them everyday. I miss them the most.

Amal always talks about wanting to come visit me. Hicham is studying in medical school and would come to Toronto eventually.