This year’s holiday has taken me between two cities with very different histories and characters: Beirut, a city I love and know well, and London, which often reflects the wider world’s mood and contradictions. Moving between them, I was struck by the contrast between the calm of summer and the anxiety created by war, economic pressure and an uncertain future.
My journey began in Beirut, where I spent several days and sensed that Lebanon was beginning to recover something of the spirit it had lost. The capital looked lively and welcoming. Its streets were busy, and people seemed determined to enjoy their lives despite the difficulties the country has endured in recent years. Even the weather was kind, with pleasant days and cooler evenings that encouraged people to spend time outdoors.
I then travelled to the Al Bustan Hotel, where I stayed for three days surrounded by pine trees and peaceful mountain scenery. That was when the holiday truly began. Away from the city’s traffic and noise, I had time to rest, reflect and regain some energy.
From Beirut, I travelled to Britain to visit my sister, Baria, in the English countryside. The contrast between the tranquillity of rural life and London’s relentless pace remains striking. Yet beneath the beauty and apparent order, I noticed a widespread sense of economic fatigue.
The cost of living has become part of almost every conversation. Fuel prices, electricity bills and everyday household expenses are placing increasing pressure on families. People now think carefully before spending, travelling or committing to anything beyond their immediate needs.
Several people I met had decided not to travel abroad this summer. The desire was still there, but the cost of flights, accommodation and daily expenses had made holidays difficult to justify. Travel, once regarded as a normal part of family life, has become a decision requiring careful planning.
I noticed a similar change in Beirut. Summer usually brings large numbers of Lebanese expatriates back to the country, providing an important boost to hotels, restaurants and other businesses. This year, however, the city seemed less crowded than usual. Security concerns may be one reason, but rising travel costs and wider global uncertainty have also played a part.
Events in the Gulf have influenced the public mood in Britain as well. Although the conflict may appear geographically distant, its consequences are not. The Gulf remains central to international energy supplies and global trade. Any serious disruption there can quickly affect oil prices, shipping costs and inflation in countries thousands of miles away.
At a dinner with Arab and English friends, much of the conversation centred on the conflict between the United States and Iran. People were not discussing it as an abstract political issue. They were asking practical questions: How far might the confrontation go? What will it mean for energy prices? When will the world regain some measure of stability?
The concern is understandable. The world has moved from one crisis to another, from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine and continuing instability in the Middle East. Political leaders may start wars, but ordinary people ultimately bear much of the cost through higher bills, more expensive goods and growing financial insecurity.
What stayed with me most was how similar people’s concerns were in both cities. Whether in London or Beirut, they want stability, affordable living and the freedom to lead normal lives without paying for conflicts over which they have no control.
Between Beirut and London, I encountered a world of striking contrasts: natural beauty and human warmth set against the anxiety of conflict and economic uncertainty. Yet the most enduring impression was the quiet resilience of ordinary people, who continue to preserve a sense of normality and find reasons for optimism despite circumstances beyond their control. As my journey continues to Italy and France, I look forward to discovering how these same global concerns are reflected in other places and communities.
akram@fp7.com
&uuid=(email))