MAGAZINE MAY 2014
NEW ERA
LIVING
IN SIN
EH FI AMAL! HAYDA LEBNEN
COHABITATION IN LEBANON
SYRIAN REFUGEES A NATIONAL CHALLENGE
FAR FROM MESSING WITH OUR BRAINS THE INTERNET HAS SET OUR MINDS FREE
THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS
HOLIDAY ITINERARY
SUNGLASSES
FEVER
MAY 2014
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MAGAZINE
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Eliane Elias Amal Sabsaby Selected images Shutterstock
STYLIST Jony Matta PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR Lea El-Alam MARKETING LEAD Daniella Tayar
MAY 2014
NEW ERA
LIVING
IN SIN
EH FI AMAL! HAYDA LEBNEN
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SYRIAN REFUGEES A NATIONAL CHALLENGE
FAR FROM MESSING WITH OUR BRAINS THE INTERNET HAS SET OUR MINDS FREE
THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS
HOLIDAY ITINERARY
SUNGLASSES
FEVER
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MAY 2014
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COHABITATION IN LEBANON
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MAGAZINE
CONTRIBUTORS
PUBLISHER Gina Gabriel El-Fady
RAGMAG is a division of Raycon s.a.l. Copyright RAGMAG 2014 | All Rights Reserved Opinions expressed are based solely on personal opinion and experience, not reflective in any way of RAGMAG, a division of Raycon s.a.l.
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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES COPYCAT
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REAL LIFE RUNWAY OUR FASHION SHOOT
BAG IT! RAGMAG’S PICKS FOR SUMMER 2014
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SUNGLASSES FEVER RAGMAG’S PICKS FOR SUMMER 2014
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CULTURE CLASH LIVING IN SIN
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EH FI AMAL!
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COHABITATION IN LEBANON HAYDA LEBNEN
FINAL FRONTIER FAR FROM MESSING WITH OUR BRAINS THE INTERNET HAS SET OUR MINDS FREE
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SEE, SPEAK + HEAR NO EVIL SOUND CHECK MUSIC WATCH OUT FILM
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YOU + YOUR COUNTRY REFUGEES IN LEBANON
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MIND, BODY + SOUL EATING DISORDERS
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TAKE A BREAK
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HELP ME WITH MY RAGGED PROBLEMS
A SOCIAL AND MENTAL ISSUE SEVEN MEDITATION TIPS FOR BUSY PEOPLE ADVICE
100 MIX IT & FIX IT HOME REMEDIES
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MIRROR MIRROR KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY
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DIOR SETS SAIL FOR SUMMER
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COLOR ME GUERLAIN
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ESTÉE LAUDER
GET READY TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR HAIR TYPE THE TRANSAT COLLECTION 30 YEARS OF TERRACOTTA INTRODUCES THE METALLICS
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY 104 EXPAND YOUR PANTRY RECIPES
102 RESTAURANT REVIEW LA PETITE MAISON
A NATIONAL CHALLENGE
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OUT + ABOUT MADNESS IN BEIRUT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH
HOME AWAY FROM HOME TRAVEL WITHIN LEBANON
TAKE ME WITH YOU THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS TRAVEL
BRAINFOOD 88
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QUIZZ. DINBATS. CROSSWORDS. SUDOKU.
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DRESS: MASSIMO DUTTI NECKLACE: ZARA
MAY 2014
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FOR OUR MAY ISSUE WE CONTINUED TO TALK TO YOU VIA OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS- PINTEREST, TWITTER, FACEBOOK + INSTAGRAM. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION AND WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH US ONLINE
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WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU SO KEEP IT UP!
WE’RE SHOWING OFF SOME OF THE BEST IMAGES THAT OUR READERS SENT IN VIA EMAIL AND TWITTER. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE READERS WHO SENT US TWEETS AND EMAILS OF THEIR COPIES OF RAGMAG.
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2014
visit A World of Absolute Luxury 14 - 18 MAY 2014 Port of Beirut, Pier 1 5 - 10 PM
www.beirutboat.com
Organized By:
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NEW ERA
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
Welcome to a NEW ERA of RAGMAG. This issue is all about bringing on this summer with Great Spirit! style. Syrian refugees in Lebanon. It has been heart breaking seeing
situations.
through his lens. publisher@ ragmaglive.com
@GinaGabriel1.
Gina Gabriel El-Fady | Publisher
MAY 2014
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MADNESS IN BEIRUT THINGS TO DO THIS MAY! THERE’S A TON OF STUFF TO DO IN THIS COUNTRY. DON’T THINK SO? THEN CLEARLY YOU HAVEN’T BEEN READING RAGMAG. A WORD TO THE WISE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. THERE’S A LOT OF FUN INVOLVED IN THIS LIST, SO ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING TO WANT TO GET A PIECE OF THIS FRESHNESS. TEN THINGS. SHORT AND SWEET. LET’S GET TO IT.
RIDE SEGWAYS ON THE BEIRUT WATERFRONT Looking for an interesting alternative to your usual stroll down the Corniche? Hop on a segway and drive effortlessly past the beautiful seafront and downtown Beirut. Just do us a favor and drive safely, nobody wants to see you faceplant into the sidewalk, we don’t care how funny it might sound. Daily until May 30th, 2014 | Beirut Waterfront | $44
THE BEIRUT BOAT SHOW 2014 (MAY 14 TO MAY 18 AT THE PORT OF BEIRUT) The Beirut Boat show is back for another season. Showcasing a diverse selection of motor and sail boats, yachts and mega yachts, pleasure and cruise boats, boating equipment, jet skis, windsurfing equipment and so much more. Water-lovers, you seriously don’t want to miss this! MAY 14TH TO MAY 18TH, 2014 PORT OF BEIRUT | +961 5 959 111
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JABAL ART EXHIBITION The annual JABAL exhibition, organized by Fransabank, will present the work of some thirty young Lebanese artists or talents residing in Lebanon. The exhibition will feature a range of art including paintings, sculptures and photographs. All portraying the artistic trends of the new generation. MAY 8TH - 10TH , 2014 | LE GRAY HOTEL, BEIRUT +961 1 971 111
DETOX FRIDAY AT LA POSTA Attend Detox Friday at La Posta for a healthy buffet featuring customized dishes made in collaboration with certified Dietitian Nicole Maftoum. The buffet includes a variety of hot and cold starters, salads, protein-based main hot dishes, desserts and freshly-made detox juices and smoothies. Diners will get the opportunity to meet with Maftoum and benefit from her guidance and professional advice. Every Friday until July 4th, 2014 | La Posta, Trabaud street, | lapostaleb | +961 1 209 909 | $48
PIERRE LURTON WINE SELECTION AT EAU DE VIE This event is perfect for all you wine lovers out there. And let’s be serious, there’s nothing quite like getting sh*t-faced on wine. Mr.Pierre Lurton, winemaker at the Chateau Cheval and Chateau D’ Yquem, presents five rare selections of the world’s finest wines at the Phoenicia Hotel’s Eau De Vie restaurant. MAY 6TH, 2014 | PHOENICIA HOTEL BEIRUT +961 1 357 357 | @PHOENICIABEIRUT PHOENICIABEIRUT
MAY 2014
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OUT + ABOUT SOUK EL TAYEB FOR THE ARTS In addition to holding the Souk El Tayeb market in Beirut Souk every Saturday morning, the organizers are launching another market nearby in Saifi Village every Saturday afternoon from 4pm to 8pm. Focused around ready-to-eat food, arts and crafts and entertainment activities in general. It creates a new platform for supporting local talents alongside the farmers and producers, mixing together Beirut’s finest flavors and talents. A pleasurable atmosphere, not to miss! SATURDAYS UNTIL AUGUST 30TH, 2014 | BEIRUT SOUKS |
SOUKELTAYEB |
@SOUKELTAYEB
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ZOYA AWKY AT METRO AL MADINA
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Fans of classical Arab music don’t want to miss a special performance by Zoya Awky titled, “Yalli ma Biyin2al,” a musical Tarab concert. Zoya will be singing songs from the likes of Fairuz, Sabah, Warda, Abdel el Halim and other hits from the 1960’s.
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MAY 20TH, 2014 | METRO MADINA, HAMRA +961 76 309 363 | $20 | METROALMADINA @METROALMADINA
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SANDANCE – THE BEACH CAMP BY FORESTRONIKA The premiere outdoor festival of the summer is back, except this time the kids from Forestronika are moving from the woods to the waves. Expect to see some local DJ favorites on the decks including Diamond Setter, Fady Aswad and RadioWeebee. The two-day festival will also feature live musical performances from Beiroots, Bandage and Flum. Don’t forget the bug spray. MAY 17TH TO MAY 18TH, 2014 | BEACH 37, RMEILEH BEACH37 | + 961 3 926614 | $25
PUREINK PRESENTS JOZIF FEATURING GUNTHER, HAMPY AND BACHIR SALLOUM The legendary John Digweed has referred to DJ Jozif as his “favorite DJ”. Lucky for you, you’ll get to experience his music skills first-hand at a party taking place at the old MyBar venue in downtown Beirut. Meshing together the sounds of lush strings, emotive pianos and golden synths, you’ll experience a sound unlike anything you’ve heard before. It will be magic. MAY 2ND , 2014 | THE FORMER MYBAR VENUE PUREINKLIVE | +961 1 999608 | $30
THE BEIRUT FLOWER MARKET Consider this one of Beirut’s best kept secrets. Head down to the Beirut Flower Market to pick out fresh plants and flowers for as little as 3,000 LL a pot. The market is located at the very end of Mar Mikhael Street. DAILY UNTIL JUNE 30TH, 2014 | 8:00AM TO 8:00PM DAILY BOURJ HAMMOUD
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LIVING
IN SIN BY JONATHAN DAGHER
‘Cohabitation’ or ‘living in sin’ as it is also known, is one of the drifts that have navigated to our shores from the West. A silent Lebanese trend, finds itself engaged in a hidden but enduring war against the country’s traditions. Slogans about “values” and a “dedication to morals” have historically imposed themselves as our culture’s proud
YOU LOVE SOMEONE AND SLEEP WITH THEM; YOU MIGHT AS WELL LIVE TOGETHER foundations, which is why, for a lot of Lebanese, the matter remains controversial. Others can’t see the big deal: you love someone and sleep with them; you might as well live together.
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Yasmina’s parents don’t know that she shares an apartment with her boyfriend. She still keeps her own place for cover and sleeps there occasionally, but she has long since moved her toothbrush to his bathroom. She hesitates before accepting to be interviewed, asking not to use her real name. She says she doesn’t want her parents finding out. “Living with him means I’m having sex with him, and my parents will freak out.” Yasmina is probably more outspoken about it than others in our society. She doesn’t flinch when she says the word ‘sex’ and she claims to be guilt free; it can’t not be, if you’re a 23 year old who grew up watching ‘SEX AND THE CITY’and ‘FRIENDS’. “It’s important” Yasmina says “Because it allows you to get to know your partner for who he really is behind closed doors.” The
RENT SPLIT BY TWO IS MORE AFFORDABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WOULD GLADLY SHARE A BEDROOM
NEW ERA
LIVING IN SIN
CULTURE CLASH idea of living together as a premarital test is common. In the hookup culture of commitment fears, it is not hard to see why the idea of taking a partner out for a “test drive” would seem appealing. It’s not the only reason, of course. Many find an economic opportunity; with rent prices soaring, liberal lovers find themselves leaning against each other for financial support. Rent split by two is more affordable, especially when they would gladly share a bedroom. Lebanese culture is not a hookup culture. We tend to forget our country’s true identity, but at the end of the day, we are still a conservative society: One that is still able to pleasantly surprise us, apparently. An unexpected fact is that cohabitation in Lebanon, contrary to common belief, is not illegal. Due to either a stroke of wisdom or forgetfulness, the issue remains unaddressed in Lebanese legislation, and lawyers confirm that a couple living together under the same roof cannot be prosecuted by the state. This still doesn’t change the fact that children that result from the union are illegitimate. The question remains: If the
LEBANESE CULTURE IS NOT A HOOKUP CULTURE treats the issue with an open-mind, but still views it as a threat: To the family, to marriage, and to the fate of unwed couples’ children. He calls it a “fall-out of boundaries”. The Monsignor respects the individual’s freedom of choice but finds himself disconcerted by some of these choices. “This free union,” he says “goes to show that there is a generation that has lost trust in itself and in each other, and this manifests itself as fear of commitment. We cannot commit to a future we do not trust.”
WE ARE A SOCIETY STILL TOO INFLUENCED BY RELIGIOUS NORMS AND NOT EVEN THE MOST LIBERAL DARE TO DEFY THEM law ignores it, why is the issue surrounded by a taboo so powerful it transcends the legalities? Contrary to general beliefs public opinion is the more powerful authority. Nevertheless, Western vocabulary fails to impress, because the arguments it formulates are stained with the same flaw of that which they defend: They are imported. They are foreign trends and are therefore viewed as a threat to our society’s foundation. The strongest argument the Lebanese have against cohabitation is that it compromises the conservative values of the Middle Eastern society. Monsignor Maroun Nasr, chairman of the Maronite Appeal Court, and professor at USEK and Sagesse, uses the adjective “scary” several times to describe the phenomenon. He emphasizes that the church
MAY 2014
A judge of the religious court assures me that Catholic law has no jurisdiction over the choice of a cohabitating couple, even if it severely discourages the phenomenon. Islamic law has also discouraged cohabitation by making marriage easier and divorce practical. It views cohabitation as sinful, but nevertheless, influence and discouragement are as far as its religious authority goes. The point is valid: Cohabitation is a symptom. While the Monsignor might attribute the cause to fear, others blame the expenses of marriage, the inability to have a civil marriage and the difficulty of divorce. The common expression is to “live in sin”. Not many Lebanese live in sin…yet. The trend is more prevalent in urban Beirut, whereas in villages, it almost doesn’t exist. The reason why it is still unheard of in this
day and age is because people still fear for their reputation. We are a society still too influenced by religious norms and not even the most liberal dare to defy them. What’s more important is that right and wrong aren’t carved in stone. While it would certainly never be okay to murder or steal, moral laws could be bent when it comes to issues that do not inflict direct harm. Some might choose to label cohabitation as wrong, but the more open-minded view it as an opportunity for a liberated society that stresses less about sex and personal status, but more about the things that truly matter: morality, identity, freedom, and truth. The problem is not the differences of opinions, but it is that these differences have grown frozen into hostility by our refusal to bring them to the table and discuss them. Our opinions are drowned out by a society that still questions inherited values
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HOW DANGEROUS IS THE HEARTBLEED BUG?
RAGMAG’S VOTE GOOD TO KNOW
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SINKING OF THE SOUTH KOREAN FERRY? Who is responsible for the sinking of the South Korean Ferry? In the early hours of April 16th, the Sewol Ferry carrying 150 vehicles and 475 passengers sunk off the coast of South Korea. The boat that was carrying students from Danwon high school was on its way to Jeju Island when it tilted on its side: In a matter of hours, 240 passengers died. Overload is suspected: When the maximum load limit was at 2000 tons, the ferry had been carrying more than 3000. With this sort of excess weight the slightest turn could cause a ferry to tip over. In the absence of proper regulations, overloading the ferry is normal in that part of the world. Additional accusations have been pointed at the captain and crew who have since been arrested. The captain gave the navigation duties to a newly recruited third mate who steered too sharply and sent the heavy ship falling to the side, and then made matters worse by advising passengers to remain in their rooms instead
of calling for evacuation. He, however, was the first to take to the rescue boat. The crew had been accused of negligence several times, but the captain’s actions in this case are being called murderous. It’s safe to say that the overload, greed and negligence are the real culprits in this tragic boat ride accident.
FIVE QUESTIONS BY JONATHAN DAHER
THE WORLD IS ASKING
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RAGMAG’S VOTE TRAGIC NEW ERA
HEARTBLEED BUG: ISSUED BY JAYADITYA GUPTA. POWERED BY BLOGGER. | SOUTH KOREAN FERRY: KIM KYUNG-HOON / REUTERS. BOTTOM PHOTO: AP
If you are wondering how dangerous the HeartBleed Bug is – then the answer is – very. The Heartbleed Bug is a flaw in programming that allows the interception of secure information transmitted over the internet. The bug has existed, unnoticed, for a few years. Sensitive information sent between parties is usually protected by a code that encrypts it before transmission. Most websites operate on secure connections, protected by a security certificate that appears on the browser. Before data can be sent to a computer, the recipient’s computer has to ask for the information. A flaw in the code means that the recipient can ask for any information it chooses. If the connection is intercepted, hackers can get whatever information they want simply by asking for it. Private information not only means passwords or account numbers but also security certificates and encryption keys. In other words, hackers would have everything they need to fake a secure connection and to decipher any coded information. Changing passwords is a good measure, but it’s not enough. Affected companies such as Facebook, Dropbox and the other 500,000 websites have to renew their security certificates. Think of it this way: when your favorite website asks for a password, you don’t think twice. But what if it weren’t your favorite website but a hacker!
WHY WAS A DEATH SENTENCE PASSED AGAINST 638 EGYPTIANS?
EGYPTIANS: TERMS AND RULESFORUM SOFTWARE BY XENFORO™ ©2010-2014 XENFORO LTD. | CLIPPERS COPYRIGHT ©2014 RETROKIMMER.COM.
HEARTBLEED BUG: ISSUED BY JAYADITYA GUPTA. POWERED BY BLOGGER. | SOUTH KOREAN FERRY: KIM KYUNG-HOON / REUTERS. BOTTOM PHOTO: AP
CAN A HASHTAG SAVE THE KIDNAPPED NIGERIAN GIRLS?
638 is the number of Egyptians who were sentenced to death in a Minya court. This comes months after riots against security forces who dispersed a sit-in in support of the ousted Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamad Morsi. Morsi’s fall and the banning of the Brotherhood through police brutality have resulted in violent retaliations: attacking a police station, murdering a policeman and attempting a bank robbery are the accusations against Brotherhood leader, Mohammad Badie, and his supporters. The death sentence is not final. Only a few dozen of them are in actual custody. The others were tried in absentia, and were promised a retrial if they surrender. In any case, the sentence cannot be binding before confirmation from Grand Mufti Allam. Nevertheless, it has stirred a controversy with human rights groups who have claimed that such a mass sentence cannot possibly “meet the standards of justice.” Judge Saed Youssef who passed the verdict is now being called The Butcher” after having committed 1212 people to death in the past 5 months, without evidence. Justice does not seem to be high on the list in a country where the storm of revolution still hasn’t settled.
As far as social media trends go, #BringBackOurGirls has climbed its way up to become the most trending topic on Twitter in the past couple of weeks. The hashtag might once again prove how much power social media now has in its ability to harvest international pressure and cause concrete change. On April 14, 230 girls were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria, by the fundamentalist Boko Haram group, a name that translates into “Western education is a sin”. The group kidnapped the girls based on the belief that women must not be allowed an education. As thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets, the international online community has lent the girls’ families a hand, or rather a few typing fingers. Twitter
and the media have brought the news to the spotlight, and it’s about time they did. This is far from Boko Haram’s first assault: the death toll since their initiation in 2009 is in the thousands. Today, the group is threatening to sell the girls. Some horrifically suspect the victims have already been raped and married off to militants. The world was once willing to turn a blind eye, but with several tweets per second, and celebrities taking the front lines, there are strong signs of possible international interference. Could Twitter be the weapon against terrorism, or is this just another short-lived, soon to be forgotten Kony 2012? RAGMAG’S VOTE UNBELIEVABLE
RAGMAG’S VOTE VERY SAD
WHY DID THE OWNER OF THE L.A. CLIPPERS GET BANNED FROM NBA? After Stiviano posted a picture with the Lakers icon Magic Johnson on Instagram, David Sterling, owner of the LA Clippers, said: “Don’t put him on Instagram for the world to have to see [...] And don’t bring him to my games.” This is only a part of an hour long racist rant caught on a leaked tape. In America, racist commentary is not something you get away with. Shortly after the leak, sponsors such as Red Bull, State Farm and Virgin America immediately suspended deals and cut ties. It wasn’t long before NBA commissioner Adam Silver publically reprimanded Sterling, fined him 2.5 million
MAY 2014
dollars, and banned him for life. The 80 year old millionaire hasn’t even shown remorse. The racist comments weren’t his first strike: in 2009, he was fined for discriminating against racial minorities. Earlier on, he had been accused of refusing to rent out apartments to blacks and Latinos. Even now, Sterling is putting up a fight against the League, as he tries not to sell his team in spite of pressures. Would it be business as usual for the racist millionaire? Or will he be taught a lesson? RAGMAG’S VOTE IN THIS DAY AND AGE?
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CULTURE CLASH
‘
HAYDA LEBNEN S
EH FI AMAL! BY SARAH HOURANY
2014 witnessed #stripforJackie, Aline Lahoud in the Voice, Haifa Wehbe be Halewet Rou7… hol kellon bi mel, w khabriyet Clooney bi mel. Ladies & gentleman, you wrote, shared, posted, tweeted and went crazy about it: Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor George Clooney got down on one knee to propose to a LEBANESE woman! And we all went crazy!
7ADISS EL NESWEN Akid we all had something to say. In general, the confidence level of Lebanese women reached record high, as expected. 2enno ma3le, a confirmed bachelor like Clooney, who clearly stated that he “would never get married again” - ma 7adan ghayarlo ra2yo except a Lebanese woman. Halla2, we are not particularly sure if she did it the Lebanese way - ma fine kammil ma3ak iza ma fi shi rasme, badde 3arfak 3a 2ahle 2ariban - or not. It doesn’t really matter: she made him do it! W ne7na khwetna! “2enno shou 3anda Amal ne7na ma 3andna yeh? 3 languages w behke, masters w 3ande!” Hala2 ok she is defending Julian Assange and Yulia Tymoshenko, bass 2enno kelna mneshteghil, ma badda hal2ad!”
HOLLYWOOD’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR GEORGE CLOONEY GOT DOWN ON BENDED KNEE TO PROPOSE TO A LEBANESE WOMAN!
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NEW ERA
HAYDA LEBNEN | EH FI AMAL!
THEY WERE ACTUALLY WORRIED THAT SHE MIGHT BE TOO BUSY TO COOK OR CLEAN THE HOUSE But then there was a sigh of relief as they realized that waiting until 52 to get married and have kids is now the NORM. If Clooney can do it, well so can they. They are now more motivated to ignore the “bedde 2efra7 mennak ya 2ebne” and “bedde shouf wledak 2abel ma mout”. However they are still trying to understand leh Clooney proposed to a successful woman while he could have chosen a beautiful, stay-athome 18 year old. They are all worried that she might be too busy to cook or clean the house w 2enno yen2al 3anno joz el sett!
THE ‘NATURAL’ BORN BEAUTIES
THE ‘BRAINY’ BUNCH
The hope they had in dying their hair red à la Haifa, or getting a dark tan à la Maya bijeblon 3aris, has been shattered and now they are extremely confused. “Mesh hek bi7ebbo el shabeb? Hala2 3anjad kif fineh naffis shfefe w fatti7 lawne w ghammi2 sha3re?” “2awlkon lezim na3mol masters bi New York ta yemshe el 7al?” or “shou ra2ykon a3mol mou7amiyye” were the questions asked.
They thought they are too smart, too successful, and are brilliant at what they do, to ever score a Clooney, have realized that international affairs, human rights and environmental problems are interesting topics to discuss on a date. Ya3ne, they don’t have to show that they have a lower IQ or that they are less successful than they really are to please the men they are going out with. In other words, each one of them realized that she can be herself, at last!
2AWLKON LEZIM NA3MOL MASTERS BI NEW YORK TA YEMSHE EL 7AL?
YALE RA7ET 3ALAYA Ya haram 3anasset, w ra7it 3alaya! If that’s you, not to worry – 30 is the new 20. You simply have not met your Clooney yet. Issa fi Amal.
BEDDE SHOUF WLEDAK 2ABEL MA MOUT
WEL RJEL 7EKYO
To our surprise; the Lebanese Man had something to say. 7ass bil sekhen. 2enno 2iza George Clooney who never wanted to get married, has made the step towards marital bliss, should they do the same now?
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Now that you know how we reacted to the Clooney-Amal engagement, here’s what we will do next: We will be guessing when the wedding will take place? September or December, and where? Baakline or London? We’d want to know who will be designing the dress? Who will be on the guest list? 2enno ma32oul neskot w ma nes2al? MA HAYDE AMAL MEN LEBNEN YA 3AYNEH!
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REFUGEES PHOTOGRAPHY: OMAR ALKALOUTI
IN LEBANON A NATIONAL CHALLENGE
BY KAYLYN HLAVATY
Bilal and his wife Sariya sit in their one room temporary lodging struggling along with their three children, Rayan, 8, Said 6, and Riham 4 in Chouf, a south-east district of Beirut. They fled their home in Eastern Ghouta before the chemical attack in August 2013 that killed at least 1,300 civilians. Bilal and his family are among the one million registered refugees that have temporarily found refuge across Lebanon according to the UNHCR. Many have set up camp with little to no belongings on their backs and who are placed in a situation that leaves them vulnerable to an extent that the Lebanese government, organizations and the international community have to step in and help. The current security and political issues in Lebanon have only increased due to the spill-over of refugees from Syria, and the violence that comes with war. The overall situation is leaving Lebanon
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WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL AND TANGIBLE AID CONSISTENTLY REACHING REFUGEES IN A COUNTRY THAT IS ALREADY ILL EQUIPPED, LEBANON’S FUTURE SEEMS UNCERTAIN in a fragile and dire state. With limited financial and tangible aid consistently reaching refugees in a country that is already ill equipped, Lebanon’s future seems uncertain. Questions arise as to how many refugees can Lebanon handle and at whose expense? What are the new challenges facing NGO’s? And what are the social and economic implications of hosting refugees?
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REFUGEES IN LEBANON |A NATIONAL CHALLENGE
THE CARD, WHICH LOOKS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO A CREDIT CARD, GIVES A REFUGEE THE FREEDOM TO SPEND AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS HE OR SHE WOULD LIKE DURING ONE TRANSACTION
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
Currently, refugees make up one third of the total population according to the UNHCR. There are both positive and negative effects on the region and on Lebanon as a host country. Taxi driving, construction and other jobs that fall under manual labor are the first ones to be taken by refugees because the demand is high and the labor is cheap. While Syrians have been in the Lebanese labor force for decades, their presence was arguably not as detrimental as it currently may be or will be in the near future because the proportions of Syrians to Lebanese are increasing. Yeigh Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut whose work focuses on the Syrian Crisis isn’t hesitant to mention how the influx of refugees is not always necessarily negative all the time.“They generate demand and in return, increase profits for many Lebanese. In some cases, they generate their own supply and demand. We have seen this in Jordan within the restaurant industry and other services that cater to locals and Syrians”. As the number of refugees registering in
THEY GENERATE DEMAND AND IN RETURN, INCREASE PROFITS FOR MANY LEBANESE MAY 2014
THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION BECOMES MORE BURDENSOME FOR HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING FOR LEBANON Lebanon increase, the need to address the situation becomes more burdensome for humanitarian organizations, the international community and particularly challenging for Lebanon. Sayigh continues to say that the financial situation of Syrians who flee to other countries add to the financial and social strain. Many come without capital and most of them are poor to begin with or have become poor as a result of war. “They don’t bring capital. There are a high number of women and children who, generally speaking, are less productive in the labor force”. Programs around Lebanon are benefiting the Syrians as well as the host community. The e-card program started in the fall of 2013 to help Syrian refugees receive food aid. Since the start of the voucher program until now with the e-card, the WFP has injected 183 million USD in the Lebanese economy. The money made from each purchase goes directly to the shop owners. The e-card replaces the former paper voucher system, and it allows refugees to go shopping at any of the 292 participating stores
around Lebanon. Many of these shops are in rural areas of Bekaa and northern Lebanon. Since participating in the program, owners have seen business increase. Located in Chouf, Zmart owners saw positive increase in sales after two months of joining the program. “At the beginning of the month, we see up to 1000 refugees come into the store, as it is the peak of business,” said Mohamed, manager at Zmart “and on other days we may have up to 500 refugees, which is considered good”. The card, which looks almost identical to a credit card, gives a refugee the freedom to spend as little or as much as he or she would like during one transaction. Out of the one million registered refugees, the World Food Program is helping 700,000 refugees, leaving 300,000 who are not part of the aid assistance program. Wassim, 26, recently arrived from Aleppo with his 15 year-old wife and infant son, receives only 60 USD in total on the e-card
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“I CAN UNDERSTAND, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT ISN’T EASY. I HEAR IN THE NEWS THAT THE UN IS GETTING A LOT OF FUNDING, SO I DON’T KNOW WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING TO” The WFP excludes him from getting more, because he is considered capable of sustaining himself and finding work. Wassim says “I can understand, but at the same time it isn’t easy. I hear in the news that the UN is getting a lot of funding, so I don’t know where this money is going to”. Laure Chadraoui, communications officer for the World Food Program, explains that WFP has to target assistance to those who can’t sustain themselves, “we excluded those who have potential to earn money or have another source of income,” she said. Each family receives one card and each family member receives 30 USD. However, sometimes, not all members qualify for it due to some of the qualifications that the WFP uses to give aid.
For seven months, Bilal has been able to shop at his leisure because of the e-card. What may seem like an ordinary task for many, the freedom to buy groceries with ease gives Bilal and other refugees a sense of normality. It is this sense of regularity and normalcy that has been stripped away from millions of Syrians who left their homes, possessions and sometimes family members back in war torn Syria. Bilal and his family live in a small room, so space is a factor, when it comes to how many things it can accommodate. “I buy small quantities each time so the food does not spoil. Our room is very hot and with a small refrigerator, there isn’t much room,” when asked if the amount was enough he continued to say, “it’s okay. It’s fine. I can survive until next month. I have three small children so they are not eating as much as older kids would.”
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CHALLENGES FACED BY ORGANIZATIONS
Funding and security concerns raise challenges for both local and international organizations. As the number of refugees continue to increase, the ability to meet the needs of many become more difficult, especially because some of these organizations have not had previous experiences with assisting refugees. Lebanese for Syrians, a local grassroots organization, faces challenges and new scenarios when implementing new projects and distributing aid to vulnerable host communities and refugees. Security is a main concern for the organization because it works on the
IT IS THIS SENSE OF REGULARITY AND NORMALCY THAT HAS BEEN STRIPPED AWAY FROM MILLIONS OF SYRIANS
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Lebanese-Syrian border in Arsal and on its outskirts, which is mainly in Wadi Hmeid, outside the last Lebanese Army checkpoint. Its founder, Carol Malouf, explains how the security situation in Wadi Hmeid affects the amount of aid that is being delivered and the difficulty in obtaining access to an area where there are around 120,000 Syrian refugees and a local population of 40,000 in Arsal.“With those numbers, we have shifted our policies from direct aid to sustainable development projects such as the MOUNEH project that creates jobs for both the host community and refugees making them less aid dependent,” Malouf said. While the Lebanese government is distributing monetary support to various organizations and municipalities, the European Union and western countries donate most of the aid that international and local organizations receive. Some of these aid relief programs established by organizations benefit many Lebanese and the overall economy.
WITH THOSE NUMBERS, WE HAVE SHIFTED OUR POLICIES FROM DIRECT AID TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SUCH AS THE MOUNEH PROJECT
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THE E-CARD SYSTEM CHALLENGES THE STIGMA THAT THE SYRIANS ARE RECEIVING ALL THE AID AND JOBS SOCIAL EFFECTS
The e-card system challenges the stigma that the Syrians are receiving all the aid and jobs. The WFP is starting a similar program that will focus on helping Lebanese who are equally as deprived. The project is in its final stages, with 50,000 families benefiting during the pilot phase. With more refugees coming into Lebanon, there is a possibility for animosity towards Syrians who co-inhabit the land and who work side by side with some Lebanese. There are political, religious, economic and cultural elements that play a key role in the way the Lebanese communities perceive and deal with the Syrians. When asked if he feels welcomed by the Lebanese, Bilal answered, “I occasionally receive help, but it isn’t often. Everything is difficult here. You are a stranger and far away from your family.” Malouf says it has been getting more difficult for Lebanese to accept the increased numbers of Syrians. Lebanese for Syrians is trying
to bridge the gap between the two. She explains that “the projects have always included the host community and the Syrians. They involve the host community by providing jobs for hybrid Syrian-Lebanese projects and buying locally from the host community. We don’t have all the answers all the time, but we manage the projects by common sense and so far it’s working”.
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REFUGEES IN LEBANON |A NATIONAL CHALLENGE
ITS WAY OF RECEIVING AND ALLOCATING MONEY TO ORGANIZATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES CAUSES MANY DONORS TO BE HESITANT WHEN GIVING AID
FUTURE FOR LEBANON
As the refugee population increases and the emergency response programs expand, it’s in the hands of the Lebanese state to plan for long-term solutions and goals. Sayigh credits the government’s choice not to push the refugees into separate camps, but to allow them to spread out and as a result, spread out the burden. “It has allowed them to be autonomous to some degree and to fend for themselves which isn’t always nice for people, but it does mean they are not developing chronic aid dependency and sometimes, as a result, putting a dent into the local economy,” Sayigh said. While the financial burden endured by the government is inevitable, its way of receiving and allocating money to organizations
and municipalities causes many donors to be hesitant when giving aid. He continued to explain that “The problem for the Lebanese state is that whenever it goes to donors to ask for more aid to be fed directly into the treasury budget donors are refusing to do this because they don’t trust the Lebanese state’s efficiency and integrity”. Without a doubt, Lebanon and neighboring countries have taken on a heavy burden and one that causes some uncertainty for the future. The refugee crisis goes beyond a regional issue and expands into an international concern. The international community faces a future that is unpredictable and one that will require planning and cooperation among organizations, governments and international institutions. As for Bilal’s future, he doesn’t have hope for himself, only for his children. “I hope to give them a life and an education. I no longer hope to give them the life that they had in
Syria, just a life.” Bilal continues to say wistfully that “maybe one day he will be able to travel somewhere else for resettlement”.
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THE
Pan-Arabia
ENQUIRER HE ORLD S NLY Ó¯ TAR ATIRICAL EWS OURCE
PERSONAL ‘SELFIE ASSISTANT’ BECOMES MUSTHAVE FASHION ACCESSORY ACROSS MIDDLE EAST In the ongoing quest to take the perfect selfie, well-heeled snappers across the Middle East have turned to the hottest new fashion trend: a personal selfie assistant. Costing upwards of $40 per hour, these trained cameraphone operatives follow their clients wherever they go – to the nightclub, the beach or even the shopping mall – ready to be on hand to take a photo whenever a selfie is required.
“We’ve seen a huge rise in the popularity for selfie assistants across the GCC, where disposable income among teens and twentysomethings can be very high and where there is a highly competitive nature when it comes to looking your best on social media,” says Camilla Prague, a Dubai-based personal shopper, who admits to having used a selfie assistant on numerous occasions.
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“They’re especially handy if you’re out and about and don’t want to have to deal with the hassle of taking a photo and uploading it to Facebook or your blog yourself.” In response to the growing demand, several dedicated selfie assistant agencies have been set up across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Lebanon. “Our clients demand the finest quality selfies to post online; selfies that have been professionally taken by a fashion photographer, with specialist use of framing and lighting for full flattering effect,” said Maha Elamahzy, director of iSelfie, an agency in Doha that currently has 25 assistants on its books. “But the key is making the photo appear to have been taken by the subject themselves, and for it to come with a highly personalised message, something our growing team of ‘selfie agents’ are expertly skilled at.”
IT’S ABOUT TRYING TO FIND THAT BALANCE SO EVERYONE’S HAPPY, FEELING FABULOUS AND HAVING THEIR PERFECT SELFIES TAKEN WITHOUT GETTING IN EACH OTHER’S WAY
Although iSelfie’s most expensive service is the ‘Full Platinum Selfie Experience’, in which an assistant follows a client from the moment they wake to the time they go to bed – something Elamahzy claims has been taken up by several ‘top-tier members’ – most customers choose a less extravagant option. “I usually just hire an assistant for a few hours if I’m going out to a party or launch event,” said Reem Sowassy, a fashion blogger in Abu Dhabi. “Sometimes, if there’s a group of us, we’ll split the cost and get a couple.” However, Sowassy did admit that sharing an assistant had, in the past, led to arguments when people wanted separate selfies taken at the same time. “But on the other hand it can get quite chaotic if we bring one each. I went to an event last week where it seemed every other person there was an assistant. It’s about trying to find that balance so everyone’s happy, feeling fabulous and having their perfect selfies taken without getting in each other’s way.” The Pan-Arabia Enquirer is the Middle East’s second most popular source of satirical news behind Iran’s Fars News Agency. Head to www.panarabiaenquirer.com to see what all the fuss is about. For exclusive* content on its exciting social media channels, check out the Enquirer’s Facebook page (just type in Pan-Arabia Enquirer, you’ll find it) and follow it on Twitter @arabiaenquirer. *Not always exclusive.
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FINAL FRONTIER
FAR FROM MESSING WITH OUR BRAINS THE INTERNET HAS SET OUR MINDS FREE
Experts claim the web is destroying our ability to read properly. Far from it… BY BRYONY GORDON
BRYONY GORDON | THE DAILY TELEGRAPH | THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE
According to a group of scientists and writers who have pompously named themselves the Slow Reading Movement, the internet is destroying our ability to read serious literature. The Sloooooooooow Reeeeeeeeeeading Moooooooooovement fears that our brains, bombarded as they are with information, are evolving away from
THE INTERNET IS DESTROYING OUR ABILITY TO READ SERIOUS LITERATURE the “traditional deepreading circuitry” that we have developed over many millennia. Instead, they are developing new circuits to help us skim through Twitter, Facebook, the Telegraph website…
“I worry that the superficial way we read during the day is affecting us when we have to read with more in–depth processing,” said Maryanne Wolf, a cognitive neuroscientist at Tufts University, who has written a paper on the subject for the Nieman Foundation at Harvard. “The brain is plastic its whole lifespan,” she told the
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Washington Post. “[It] is constantly adapting.” She added that after a long day reading emails and surfing the internet, she had tried to read Hermann Hesse’s The Glass Bead Game: “I’m not kidding, I couldn’t do it. It was torture getting through the first page. I couldn’t force myself to slow down so that I wasn’t skimming, picking out key words,
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organising my eye movements to generate the most information at the highest speed. I was so disgusted with myself.” Probably about to join the Slow Reading Movement is Dame Gillian Lynne, who pronounced this week – in a statement as sweeping as her choreography at the ballet – “I hate anything digital.” (Even your radio, Dame Gillian?) “All everybody ever does is look at a machine,” the 88–year–old continued. “The whole art of conversation is going out the window, as is language.”
I COULDN’T FORCE MYSELF TO SLOW DOWN SO THAT I WASN’T SKIMMING, PICKING OUT KEY WORDS It’s one of those funny ironies of life that the most stunning technological developments, the ones that improve our existence in untold ways, are the things we heap the most scorn on. The postal service, the phone, television… they were all going to ruin Western civilisation. And yet, really, the worst thing they did was give us The X Factor. And now we have the internet, a vast, shadowy, invisible mass of… stuff , which serves as a convenient scapegoat for all society’s ills. Violent behaviour? Blame the internet. A generation of stupid children? That’ll be the internet. Fleeting attention spans? Internet, internet, int– hang on, I’ve just received a tweet. Better check it.
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We like to blame the internet because it lets us off the hook. But it’s a bit like an alcoholic making a bottle of whisky bear the responsibility for his having drunk it, or a drug addict blaming her dealer for selling her a fix of heroin. The web is undoubtedly – pardon the rehab speak – a great facilitator for those of us who have a tendency towards distraction, and it is to blame for myriad pains in the buttocks: “lolcats”, “selfies”, “vaguebooking”, endless bloody passwords, endless bloody pictures of people’s coffee,
WE LIKE TO BLAME THE INTERNET BECAUSE IT LETS US OFF THE HOOK
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FAR FROM MESSING WITH OUR BRAINS
FINAL FRONTIER BUT IT’S MY FAULT THAT I DON’T SIT DOWN AND READ TOLSTOY OF AN EVENING, NOT THE WEB’S know–it–all commenters, the phrase “Is this really news?” (as used by aforementioned know–it–all commenters), viruses, perverts, Viagra spam, porn for the perverts to watch with their Viagra spam.
But it’s my fault that I don’t sit down and read Tolstoy of an evening, not the web’s. The internet has opened up our world and allowed us to exchange ideas with people we previously would never have encountered. It has allowed people to fall in love and find long–lost relatives. And anyone who has ever watched Twitter for an evening will know that the art of conversation has not been lost, as Dame Gillian claims – it’s just changed, and got much, much bigger. On social networks, everything is a conversation waiting to happen. A debate is never more than a click away.
IT HAS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO FALL IN LOVE AND FIND LONG–LOST RELATIVES
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WITH THE INTERNET, THE POTENTIAL FOR A CHILD’S IMAGINATION TO ROAM IS ENORMOUS We are derogatory about the accuracy of Wikipedia, without stopping to think about what a minor miracle it is that people actually devote their free time to the altruistic cause of providing information to others. When I was a young girl, if I wanted to find out about, say, Tutankhamun, I had to beg my parents to take me to the library. But when my daughter is a bit older, all she will have to do is sit down at a cheap laptop with a Wi–Fi connection, and she will be away. With the internet, the potential for a child’s imagination to roam is enormous – and with parental controls, you can even make sure that imagination doesn’t roam on to a site full of torture porn. What’s not to love?
On the internet, I can get the groceries without wanting to commit hara–kiri while queueing at Sainsbury’s meat counter on a Saturday afternoon. I can tell my mum and dad whether Cilla Black released her first single in 1963 or 1964, and not have to listen to them argue about it for 45 minutes. I can instantly email a picture of my child to her far–away grandparents. So when the likes of Dame Gillian and the Slow Reading Movement start warning of the grave dangers of the internet, I say this: the internet has made life easier for us; it has freed up our time so we can do other things. Like reading a good book, even.
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NEW + NOW
DINZ FOR CLINIQUE Rima and Dina Zahran, renowned Dubai-based fashion designers and founders of Dinz, bring their Middle Eastern influence and style to Clinique to create the first Middle East designer makeup trend. Exclusively created for the Middle East, Rima and Dina have teamed up with Clinique to create a limited-edition makeup trend and a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. The Dinz for Clinique collection mixes rich colours that specifically target the Middle Eastern consumer. “It has been a lot of fun working on the collaboration with Clinique. We wanted a design that reflects both brands, something simple, trendy, fun, and for everyday” said Dina Zahran, Co-Founder of Dinz. The Dinz For Clinique limited-edition bracelet plated in rose gold will be gifted with the purchase of three products from the Dinz For Clinique makeup trend in any shade from May to June, 2014 and while stocks are available. Dinz For Clinique bracelet is available in Lebanon at: ABC Dbayeh, ABC Achrafiyah.
DINING AT ITS BEST Located in the historical Gemmayze neighborhood, La Parrilla, steak house and bar, has been delighting Lebanese gastronomes with the finest cuisine in town since 2007. With the purpose of continuously offering their guests exceptional dining experiences, La Parrilla recently underwent a series of renovations to uplift both the interior decoration and the menu while preserving the authenticity and sophistication of their identity. The groundbreaking and daring architecture was created by Ramy Boutros, while the décor’s concept, “Maison de Chasse Contemporaine”, was inspired by the woman behind La Parrilla, Mireille Hayek, who exudes a passion for food and hospitality. “This renovation marks an important milestone in the journey of La Parrilla and I would like to thank each and every person who contributed to making our customer experience and exceptional one” said Mireille, La Parrilla owner.
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EATING
DISORDERS A SOCIAL AND MENTAL ISSUE BY NERINGA KISLER
When we think of mental illnesses, Eating Disorder is never one that pops to mind. It is a mental illness and it has one of the highest mortality rates. Too often than not, cause of death is reported as a result of other medical complications, such as heart failure, organ failure, malnutrition or suicide, instead of what it should be, an Eating Disorder.
IT IS A MENTAL ILLNESS AND IT HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATES It can affect anyone despite their gender, body shape, size and it can develop at any age. It is most common in adolescence, where 95% of individuals who have an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25 - cases have been reported with Anorexia Nervosa, developing in children as young as 6 years of age and in some cases in women in their 70s.
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Though Eating Disorder has been labelled a “female disorder”, men suffer from it just as much. They are less likely to report it due to a misleading perception that it is prone to women only or maybe because men generally tend to under-report any mental health issues due to not wanting to be wrongly perceived as “weak” or less masculine, therefore, many men do not get the treatment they need, they suffer in silence and have higher suicide rate than females. Of eating disorders the two most common, well known and currently recognised in medical manuals are Anorexia Nervosa, characterised by extreme food restriction to the point of self-starvation, excessive weight loss and excessive exercising, and Bulimia Nervosa, characterised by binge eating and purging, which can include self-induced vomiting, over exercising and the usage of various laxatives. Anorexia and Bulimia are the two most common and most known specific Eating Disorders, with 4 times more Bulimic sufferers than Anorexia sufferers. Furthermore, it has been estimated that about 50%
EXTREME FOOD RESTRICTION TO THE POINT OF SELF-STARVATION NEW ERA
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AN ANXIETY CAUSING AN INDIVIDUAL TO SPEND A LOT OF THE TIME WORRYING ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE AND HAVE A DISTORTED VIEW OF THE WAY THEY LOOK of people who have had Anorexia, develop Bulimia or Bulimic Patterns at a later stage. Eating Disorders are closely associated and linked with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, an anxiety causing an individual to spend a lot of the time worrying about their appearance and have a distorted view of the way they look. To point out how and where an eating disorder starts is not that easy or straight forward. It can come from various aspects of life including biological, psychological or environmental abnormalities. This does not just happen overnight, the development of an Eating Disorder is a slow process and the sufferers themselves may not be able to recognise the beginning of it. It is a complex psychological illness with various causes, triggers and beliefs – the cause, development or recovery are never the same, it differs from one an individual to another, each with a different belief system. Eating Disorders are, more often
than not, a result of emotional issues, of not being able to cope with the negative emotion in a healthy way. We’re not talking of any issues but – issues which may have come from childhood trauma, often sexual abuse, and emotional neglect. The disorder can also develop from social and cultural pressures, media and social body image acceptance, peer teasing, making fun, belief of being “not good enough”, which may come from early childhood attachments with parents and caregivers. Sufferers’ lives are turned upside down. Their concentration level becomes poor, they cannot fully dedicate themselves to any other work or activity due to their mind being preoccupied with obsessive thoughts and a self-image that is constantly being criticised. They may develop Obsessive Compulsive Disorders as well as many other physical and psychological symptoms, which may include
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THE DISORDER CAN ALSO DEVELOP FROM SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PRESSURE weight loss, skin and nail problems, diseases, hair loss, poorer eyesight, dental problems and many internal issues. Sufferers tend to feel weak, fatigue, have poor reaction and may be sensitive to contracting colds; men also suffer from these symptoms with the addition of: reduced beard growth, a reduction in waking erections and a reduced libido. To prevent the development of Eating Disorders we need to be open with our children from an early age, and talk about emotions and ways of coping with it. Being open with our children prevents an eating disorder and it promotes healthy development. Emphasise the importance of listening to their own body
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MIND, BODY + SOUL and eating when they are hungry and stopping when they are satisfied but not “stuffed�, focusing on a balanced diet as well as fitness. It is very important to talk to the children about bullying, teasing and peer pressures. Children sometimes do not understand the seriousness or the consequences of certain behaviours towards each other, therefore it is important they understand that it is wrong to say hurtful things to other people. As an Eating Disorder is most common to develop between the ages of 12 and 25, where pubescence takes place and the body starts changing, it is important to educate your kids about puberty and the normal changes that occur, genetics of body size; discuss their fears. They need to know that they can come to you about any uncertainties, fears and unanswered questions. Talk to your children about more effective ways of dealing with their emotions and the importance of it. Let them know that it is ok to share their feelings with a trusted adult. Let that adult be you as a parent!
Neringa kisler (BSc Psy-Dip Hyp CSDip CP-Ad. Dip. CP-MBPsS-LHS-MCS) is an Integrated Counsellor/Psychitherapist with experiences in working with adult individuals and couples. Neringa has achieved a BSc in Human Psychology and holds an advance diploma in Integrated Concelling and Psychotherapy as well as Clinical Hypnotherapy. Neringa is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society 2007, and an active committee member of the BPS Psychotherapy Section 2013. She is also an accredited member of the British National Counselling Society 2011and National Hypnotherapy Society in the UK 2010. She currently works at an independent practice in the UK where she deals with patients on a variety of issues, however her main interests are in human development, relationships/attachments and eating disorders. If there are any issues that you would like Neringa to address please email us at Neringa.kisler@ragmaglive.com
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MIND, BODY + SOUL
TAKE A BREAK SEVEN MEDITATION TIPS FOR BUSY PEOPLE
Many people who practice meditation in earnest soon give up because they feel they are too busy for it. While it is true that a myriad of responsibilities do take time away from practice, that is hardly a reason to stop meditating completely. Whether your final aim is enlightenment, better health or just the ability to concentrate, you can find ways to incorporate meditation into your life. The key factors are discipline and determination.
DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not without its dangers. Please practice under the guidance of an authentic meditation teacher. If you have special health concerns, do not practice without the permission of your health care provider. The advice below assumes you are a normal, able-bodied person with no mental, physical or other problems.
PRACTICE EVERY DAY The hardest part about meditation is getting into the habit of sitting on a regular basis. Your mind will come up with all kinds of excuses not to do it. Make a commitment to practice daily, even for only a few minutes. Allow exceptions for urgent or unavoidable situations only, such as when you are very sick, or when somebody needs your help. If you make meditation a part of your daily routine, you will develop a taste for it, and will feel motivated to practice more and more.
THE HARDEST PART ABOUT MEDITATION IS GETTING INTO THE HABIT OF SITTING ON A REGULAR BASIS BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR CAPABILITIES
You may be eager to practice meditation, but in order for you to succeed, your practice must be sustainable. Sure, meditating for four hours a day sounds great, but will you be able to keep up such a rigorous schedule? It is better to practice for one hour daily than several hours once a week. Find a schedule that will work for you and stick to it. Above all, do not over-exert yourself. Meditation can be harmful if done incorrectly or in excess of your abilities. A qualified meditation instructor can help you develop your practice routine.
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GET ORGANIZED
Success in meditation depends a lot on your ability to keep your life in order. If you do not take care of your affairs, you will worry about them when you sit down to practice. Do not neglect your daily business just because you are interested in meditation. On the contrary, you need to pay more attention to them. Take care of your chores, answer your emails, help your kids with their homework, and pay your bills on time. If you are neat and tidy with mundane affairs, they are less likely to intrude in your practice.
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TAKE A BREAK | SEVEN MEDITATION TIPS FOR BUSY PEOPLE
USE EARPLUGS OR EARMUFFS
LET THOUGHTS COME AND GO
Most meditation practitioners have had to deal with unwanted noises during practice. While you can tough it out and deal with these distractions from the onset, there’s no need to torture yourself. If you have noisy neighbors, or your teenage kids just won’t stop playing loud music, try ear plugs or ear muffs. These will reduce noise levels considerably (though not eliminate them completely). Use them in the beginning, and when you really need it. Sound-reduction devices are like a crutch; you use them to help you “walk” when you are learning to meditate. Eventually, if you become more advanced, you won’t need them. For specific instructions on dealing with noise, talk with your meditation teacher. Each meditation school is different.
Everyone who tries to meditate knows that the thoughts of an untrained mind are in total chaos. That is the nature of the human mind. Do not be upset by it, and do not let it discourage you. When unwanted thoughts arise, just acknowledge them. Thoughts will come and go. The important thing is to be aware of them. If you meditate by focusing on your breath (as many do), just return your attention to the breath as soon as you realize you were distracted. There is nothing wrong with you when you get distracted. If you are undergoing a crisis, or are worried or fearful about something, these distractions will be very persistent. Do not forcefully drive them out. Let them run their course as you watch them. Ask your meditation instructor for more help with such distressing or worrisome thoughts.
YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR MIND FOCUSED AND ALERT ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST DURING SITTING MEDITATION STAY FOCUSED ALL DAY You should keep your mind focused and alert all the time, not just during sitting meditation. This practice is known as mindfulness. It means paying attention to whatever you are doing, without being distracted by unrelated thoughts. Most people do one thing, yet their minds are elsewhere. You could be doing dishes or walking the dog, but in your head, you are recalling a past conversation or fantasizing about a video game you want to win. Mindfulness clears away such mental clutter; it trains you to concentrate on the present moment. When you finally sit down to meditate, you will find your mind is calmer and more focused than before.
TIME YOURSELF
A clock or other timing device is useful if you are very busy. Time tends to lose meaning when your concentration develops, and it’s easy to lose track of it. If you are on a schedule - say, if you have an appointment - use a timer to limit your practice. If you have trouble waking up in the morning, set an alarm clock. Understandably, it can be hard to focus on meditation when you are in a hurry. So try to pick a time of day when you have more leisure, if that’s possible.
MAY 2014
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MIND, BODY+SOUL
HELP ME WITH MY RAGGED PROBLEMS I’m a 39 year old wife and mother of 2 children and recently my husband has been pressuring me to have a third child. To be honest I really don’t want another child and I’ve tried explaining this to him but he has been adamant and has not really taken my reasons into consideration. How can I make him see that it is unfair to push me into such a serious decision? Paloma, 39
DEAR PALOMA,
We fully understand your predicament as it is one of the many problems that we face in the Middle East – the decision is not always the woman’s to make. Since you have tried talking to him and you have voiced your point of views, it is probably time to involve a third party such as your family doctor or maybe even a mediator. We feel that ultimately this is your body, and it is a sacrifice that you will be making therefore it is your decision!
Recently someone made a remark about a family member being gay and not in a joking kind of way, but more as if they were sure! It doesn’t bother me that this person might be gay, I just want to let him know that I would support him if he was and that he wouldn’t have to live two separate lives especially when it comes to me. Should I confront him? Nadia, 30
DEAR NADIA,
We are happy to know that you accept your family member for who he is. This is a sensitive subject. If he is gay, then maybe he is not ready to “come out” to you. Though, it is worth your while to open up to him indirectly and make him understand your open mindedness. At the end of the day the person who told you of this might have gotten it wrong and if you were to approach this subject outright, your family member might be offended. Give it some thought and time, when he is comfortable he will come to you.
IT DOESN’T BOTHER ME THAT THIS PERSON MIGHT BE GAY
I love my husband but his mom drives me nuts! She is always involving herself in our lives; where we eat, what we buy, where we go, how to clean! It never ends! I think it’s my husband’s duty to put some boundaries but he doesn’t want to involve himself and hurt her feelings but I don’t think it’s my place either! Fatima, 27
DEAR FATIMA,
We call it the ‘mother-in-law syndrome’, and it’s a pain in the arse! We actually asked our colleagues what they think of their mother-in-laws and it might please you to know that you are not alone. These boundaries should have been put right at the beginning and you are right to say that they should have been put by your spouse, however if your in-law is disturbing you this much, you might want to start drawing the line now.
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NEW ERA
I’VE RECENTLY MOVED TO A NEW JOB AND I’VE BEEN FINDING IT VERY HARD TO MAKE FRIENDS I am lonely at work. I’ve recently moved to a new job and I’ve been finding it very hard to make friends. Though I’m naturally very shy I’ve tried making an effort to become friends with some of my co-workers, yet nothing seems to come out of it. I feel like an outcast. Sam, 29
DEAR SAM,
It is never easy to adjust in a new environment. It takes time for people to feel comfortable around each other; you have to know at the end of the day they still do not know you and they might not be aware of how uncomfortable they are making you feel. We are sure that it will happen, but it cannot be forced. In the mean time maybe you should try inviting a couple of your colleagues for coffee or a drink after hours. It will open doors for them to get to know you. We wish you the best of luck as we have all been there. Remember: It will happen!
Two years ago, my ex-fiance broke my heart, by leaving me a few months before the wedding. I cannot even begin to tell you what that did to me. In our society, people talk without even knowing what really happened. I went into full depression and for a long time I stopped socialising and going out. I can’t say that my life is perfect now but I have made peace with it and I can say I am ok. I have even started dating! Out of nowhere, my ex has started contacting me and wants to try ‘us’ again. I am not sure what I want to do now. Amal, 26
DEAR AMAL,
The fact that you are writing to us, means that you know what you want. You might still be harbouring a ‘what if’ somewhere in you, and you could also be reminiscing the love you had. It is very normal to be confused at this moment because of all the mixed feelings, but you know and we agree that the trust has been broken and this is a dead end situation. Keep doing what you are doing to make you happy. You are nobody’s second choice.
OUT OF NOWHERE, MY EX HAS STARTED CONTACTING ME AND WANTS TO TRY ‘US’ AGAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW MAY 2014
My cousin and I have had an extremely close relationship since our early age. This ‘closeness’ slowly turned into a love affair, which has kept us away from dating other people. We have not opened up to our family and friends as they will never accept us as a couple. This has formed a huge burden on both of us. We have tried to stay away from each other but to no avail. Yasmina,28
DEAR YASMINA,
This is a difficult one! Personal views aside, these sorts of relationships are not illegal in Lebanon, it’s not unheard of for cousins to marry each other. If you feel that this relationship is worth fighting for and it is no less than a 100% what you want, then you should fight for it. You should both sit your families down and explain to them the situation. You never know they might positively surprise you. Note that these sort of relationships bring with it problems that are not counted for
TO JOIN THE READER RESPONSE PANEL send your name, age, and email address to raggedproblems@ragmaglive.com subject line: Interactive Panel We will contact you if you are chosen to www.ragmag.co | R A G M A G participate.
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NEW ERA
MIRROR, MIRROR
KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY GET READY TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR HAIR TYPE
FACT #5: HAIR LOSS IS LINKED TO DANDRUFF HERE ARE OUR 5 FACTS FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW YOUR HAIR AND SCALP, AND WAVE GOODBYE TO YOUR PROBLEMS.
FACT #1: 90% OF MEN SUFFER FROM DANDRUFF
Dandruff, one of the most common scalp problems in our region is caused by a type of bacteria which grows on your scalp and causes it to create a surplus of skin – resulting in the appearance of flakes. There are many reasons behind the growth of this bacteria, and these could be due to anything from the weather to oily skin. Dandruff hits 90% of men once in their lives at least, with the possibility of reappearing later in life, even after it has been treated.
FACT #2: BALDING IS NOT BOUND TO A SPECIFIC AGE GROUP
Balding does not only hit aging men. 15% to 25% of young men start suffering from balding at an early age, while the percentage increases to 50 - 70% of men at age 50 and above. What’s worth noting, however, is that men who hit 50 without going bald will not be subject to balding afterwards.
FACT #3: DANDRUFF AND ACNE GO HAND IN HAND
As mentioned before, dandruff’s main cause is a type of bacteria that grows on the scalp. This same bacteria also causes the growth of acne and it thrives more with people who have oily skin. This is why you’ll notice that acne and dandruff often appear around the same time.
The male hormone that weakens the hair and leads to its loss also increases secretions from the sebaceous glands, which in turn lead to the appearance of dandruff and the bacteria causing it. Accordingly, if you look over your dandruff problem, you might face hair loss or even balding in the long term.
SO, HOW DO WE FIGHT DANDRUFF?
Prevention is the best cure. This is why it is highly recommended to commit to using an antidandruff shampoo, specifically Head and Shoulders, to be confident about treating the problem from its roots, being 100% dandruff free, and leaving the bacteria no place to hide.
HOW CAN HEAD & SHOULDERS PREVENT DANDRUFF FROM REAPPEARING? Thanks to its strong formula which works on bacteria even after the shower between washes, and that’s when we need it the most. The smart ‘Acti-Zinc’ particles stay in the scalp and fight off the bacteria, even the tiniest flakes. It is recommended not to space out the washes, and use Head & Shoulders regularly to get the best results, and to commit to using Head & Shoulders even after the dandruff disappears to prevent it from reappearing.
FACT #4: HAIR STYLING MIGHT CAUSE HAIR FALL
Hair fall has many reasons, some of them are psychological like stress, while others are physiological like eating habits, but another reason is hair styling. When you use styling products like hair wax or hair gel excessively, you might be causing your hair to fall. Another cause for hair loss will be a harsh hair brush that will definitely lead to harming your scalp and therefore loss of hair or limit its growth.
MAY 2014
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MIRROR, MIRROR
DIOR SETS SAIL FOR SUMMER THE TRANSAT COLLECTION Cruise elegance reigns as Dior renews ties with the world of the great transatlantic crossings; inspired by the travel spirit of its first Resort and Spring line in 1948. Created by Tyen, the 2014 Summer Look unveils a cruise make-up collection: a palette of navy blue, primary red and sandy beige. The skin wears the radiance of the sun and an outdoor glow. Eyes take to the seas in ultramarine blue, while lips light up in red and nails wear the sailor’s stripes. This season, chic is taking a breath of maritime air.
DIORSKIN NUDE TAN TRANSAT EDITION
For an elegant golden shimmer Diorskin Nude Tan Transat Edition will definitely get the job done. This compact is subtly engraved with a rope pattern and is delivered with a mini kabuki brush. With refined iridescent pigments that generate a soft golden glow on the skin, it glides easily creating instant radiance.
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DIORSKIN NUDE SHIMMER This is a metallic gold shimmer powder that is designed to work best as a highlighter. It comes in two shades, 001 Rose/Pink and 002 Ambre/Amber. Ultra soft and finely –milled, it has a very rich pigment and should be applied lightly. You can also apply it to the decollete, collarbone, and brow bone or anywhere you’d like to see shine!
5 COULEURS
TRANSAT EDITION For eyes that look elegant anywhere the new color combinations captured in the 5 Coleurs Transat Edition are perfect for that iridescent summer look. Shades of blue and brown, sand and orange, are layered in a glimmering satin finish. With a choice of two eye palettes (Atlantique and Sundeck) you can attain eye’s that smize with either pick.
NEW ERA
MAY 2014
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MIRROR, MIRROR
DIOR ADDICT LIPSTICK There are four shades for Dior Addict Lipsticks in this collection, including Sunlight, Windrose, Cruise, and Mayday. Containing less than 25% wax than a classic lipstick, it comprises instead an astonishing reflecting gel. The result is modern transparency, concentrated plumping hydration and a magnifying glass effect to intensify shine, plump the lips and enhance color.
MANUCURE TRANSAT The Vernis Transat Collection comes in 3 Limited Edition Manucure Duo sets. They are each accompanied with their own mini nail file and striped nail stickers printed with the CD logo. The three shades are Yacht, Sailor and Captain. Super chic and trendy for the summer daze. Dior recently reformulated Dior Vernis and altered the shape of the brush. Yacht and Sailor come with the new brush.
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NEW ERA
MAY 2014
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MIRROR, MIRROR
COLOR ME
GUERLAIN 30 YEARS OF TERRACOTTA
Guerlain is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a truly dazzling bronzing powder, Terracotta Sun Celebration, and – for the very first time, as a limited edition – Terracotta Le Parfum, a captivating, sundrenched fragrance. Joining the summer 2014 summer collection are Cils d’Enfer mascara, in a new waterproof variant, Rouge Automatique, the super elegant lipstick, Gloss d’Enfer, a gorgeous shimmery lip gloss and Color Laquer nail polish.
TERRACOTTA SUN CELEBRATION THE STAR SUN POWDER
A bronzing powder and blush rolled into one, this multi-tasking compact creates a sublime sun-kissed glow at a stroke. The soft, lightweight formula replicates a natural healthy glow and brings a fresh flush of color to cheeks. The emblematic Terracotta Sun symbol is embossed at the center of the powder, ready to impart its dazzling light to the complexion.
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NEW ERA
LIMITED EDITION TERRACOTTA LE PARFUM
As a 30th anniversary tribute to Terracotta Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, Thierry Wasser, interprets the legendary powder as a fragrance. An irresistibly sensual composition, exotic and luminous, inspired by the radiant realm of Terracotta. The fragrance reveals fresh notes of bergamot, before developing into a heart of tiaré flower and ylang – ylang and finally baring a delicious vanilla-tinged dry-down.
MAY 2014
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MIRROR, MIRROR COLOR LACQUER LONG-LASTING COLOR & SHINE
The promise of perfect, sun-kissed beauty right to your fingertips, Color Lacquer presents three musthave shades that coordinate with Guerlain’s cult collector-edition powder. Dazzle with the elegance of sunset pink, the daring of bright orange, or the sensuality of burning brown. For ultimate wear all summer long, always start by applying Base Coat and finish with Top Coat Gel.
GLOSS D’ENFER BARE LIP SENSATION
Gloss d’Enfer gives you deceptively innocent, deliciously provocative lips. Its lusciously lightweight texture glides onto lips effortlessly. Which shade for which smile? Nahéma Smack is a bright orange for the spontaneous; Pink Clip is an irresistibly mischievous sunset pink, and Browny Clap a delectable caramel. Ultra-shiny shades for a luminous, ultrasensual pout.
ROUGE AUTOMATIQUE HYDRATING LONG-LASTING LIP COLOR
Rouge Automatique is Lipstick with a capital L. With a flick of the finger, the golden sheath unleashes three shades with an exquisite second-skin texture: Nahéma, a flamboyant, unbelievably luminous orange that spotlights a tan; Jardins de Bagatelle, an alluring sunset pink for sun-kissed complexions; and Tonka Impériale, a sensual burnished brown that complements deeply bronzed skin.
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CILS D’ENFER WATERPROOF
A NEW WATERPROOF VERSION OF THE MUST-HAVE MASCARA The magic wand of bathing beauties everywhere, Cils d’Enfer Waterproof promises ultimate wear and irresistible results. For flawless, fabulous lashes that resist any climate, however hot and humid, this mascara will stand up to all your summer action. Cils d’Enfer defines and intensifies eyes with a genius formula whose secret is a combination of waterproof volumizing and styling waxes. These work together to add dramatic volume and curl to the entire lash line, all in a single stroke. Water, heat, humidity – nothing is too much for this new mascara.
NEW ERA
MIRROR, MIRROR
ONE FOR ALL ALL FOR ONE REVITALIZING SUPREME WITH ESTÉE LAUDER
The new Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging CC Cream SPF 10 is the industry’s newest and most intuitive CC Crème. A multi-action CC Crème which, in addition to color-correcting, offers anti-aging benefits and deep skin nourishment. Containing the collection’s IntuiGen Technology™ this breakthrough CC Creme boosts and revitalizes skin’s natural resistance to the multiple signs of aging by actively slowing down the natural aging process of the skin and heightening the skin’s capacity to repair itself. The breakthrough formula features innovative tint release pigments that break upon contact with skin, releasing a sheer tint of color that blends to skin’s natural tone. The pigments are auto-adjusting, so the one universal shade adapts to give just the right amount of tint that balances virtually every woman’s skin tone. Ingenious!
50 YEARS OF BRILLIANCE LA MER LIFTING AND FIRMING MASK
When your eyes clap on the word La Mer you know it comes with a heart wrenching price tag, but is it worth it? Our verdict is a resounding “yes!” La Mer brings 50 years of innovation and craftsmanship to its new Lifting and Firming Mask. Everything about this mask is concentrated and carefully chosen to give the ultimate Lifting and Firming performance. This luxurious, serum-strength sculpting mask helps accelerate the skin’s ability to recapture its youthful resilience by supporting natural collagen production. Enriched with the legendary healing energies of La Mer’s Concentrated Miracle Broth™ and the potency of the new Concentrated Lifting Ferment it visibly tightens, firms and refines the face and neck. Absolutely brilliant!
MAY 2014
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MIRROR, MIRROR
ESTÉE LAUDER INTRODUCES THE METALLICS Estée Lauder introduces an incredible combination of the highest reflective shine and intensely desirable colors to make eyes, lips and nails smolder with their new collection: The Metallics. This NEW Pure Color Collection is a surprisingly versatile assortment of metallic finish that transforms like never before, with liquid-like shadows that saturate eyes, vinyl finishes that lacquer lips and hyper-chromatics that accessorize nails. Whether soft and pretty or bold and sexy, The Metallics uses a variety of unique reflective finish to bring a new level of sophistication to multi-dimensional color.
METALLICALLY MAGNIFIED EYES
Play in a new dimension of amplified color with NEW Pure Color Instant Intense Eye Shadow Trios. Like molten metal, the liquid-like texture melts onto the eyelids for a high-definition chromatic color impact. A creamy, silk-like formula glides on effortlessly releasing pure, brilliant color that stays true for 10 hours without creasing or fading.
LIQUID MOLTEN LIPS NEW Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquer drenches lips in an array of seductively rich lacquered hues, from sultry nudes to daring wines. Combining the creamy coverage of a lipstick and the high-shine of a gloss, this opulently pigmented lacquer creates a lusciously brilliant and glass-like finish. Estée Lauder’s True Vision™ Technology provides the ultimate color payoff, while multi-functional polymers seal in moisture and form a color stay barrier to keep brilliant color and impeccable shine looking fresh, supple and vibrant for a long-lasting 6 hour wear.
CHROMATICALLY HUED NAILS The evolution of heavy metal reaches nails in a unique brushed, reflective finish with the NEW Limited Edition Pure Color Vivid Shine Nail Lacquer. Born out of a fusion of refined pearls and aluminum platelets, this new highimpact finish saturates nails in a flash richly pigmented chromatic color.
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NEW ERA
MAY 2014
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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
NEW ERA
DRESS IT LIKE IT IS PHOTOGRAPHY AND CREATIVE DIRECTION BY RABEE YOUNES | DRESSED BY AZADEA | STYLING BY JONY MATTA MAKEUP BY IVANNA BOU SALEME | HAIR BY ROGER GABRIEL
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NEW ERA
DRESS: ZARA SHOES: ZARA BRACELET: MANGO
MAY 2014
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YELLOW SKIRT: ZARA NECKLACE: UTERQUE
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NEW ERA
PINK SUIT: ZARA NECKLACE: UTERQUE
MAY 2014
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PANTS: ZARA
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NEW ERA
DRESS: ZARA
MAY 2014
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SKIRT: ZARA BAG: MAXMARA SHIRT: ZARA SHOES: ZARA
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NEW ERA
DRESS: MAXMARA SHOES: ZARA
MAY 2014
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DRESS: MARELLA BAG: MARELLA SHOES: MARELLA
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NEW ERA
SHOES: MAXMARA SUIT: MAXMARA
MAY 2014
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JACKET: MASSIMO DUTTI SHORTS: MASSIMO DUTTI
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NEW ERA
JACKET: MASSIMO DUTTI SHORTS: MASSIMO DUTTI
MAY 2014
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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
BAG IT! RAGMAG’S PICKS FOR
SUMMER 2014 OUR FAVOURITE HOLD-ALLS
01. CELINE
luggage handbag multicolor smooth calfskin sunflower
02. MARC BY MAR C JACOBS
olive leather-trimmed printed pvc tote
03. GUCCI
soho denim shoulder bag
04. RALPH LAUREN
CLUTCHES 05. PRADA
flap bag
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06. LOUIS VUITTON
GIVENCHY
obsedia clutch in printed leather
STELLA MCCARTNEY
falabella tassel cross bodybag
NEW ERA
MARC BY MARC JACOBS too hot to handle small leather shoulder bag
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN the de manta printed satin clutch
CROSS BAGS GUCCI
soho leather disco bag
LOUIS VUITTON
DOLCE & GABBANA
gold-tone coin shoulder bag
TAMARA MELLON
RAGMAG’S PICK
CHANEL’S ART SCHOOL BAG PACK
We hear Chanel, we see class, sophistication and luxury. SS2014 will witness an explosion of Chanel’s inner wildness with the introduction of the Graffiti printed canvas backpack. The interesting combination of casual vs chic - daring colors, multicolored ropes – is impressing. Chanel is aiming to explore a new side of fashion. The gorgeous backpack fits perfectly for any occasion during the day or a casual funky night out.
leather shoulder bag
MAY 2014
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5
HAIRSTYLES TO TURN HEADS From Pantene Anti Hair Fall Your go-to hairstyle may go well with your face and skin tone, but nothing feels better than a fresh new style to get you ready for any occasion. Here’s your guide from Pantene to get you the trendiest looks of the season, and how to do them yourself.
irst, be sure to commit to a full regimen for your hair, because healthy hair is at the base of a headturning hair style. Use the Pantene Anti Hair Fall shampoo and conditioner with every wash, and don’t forget to protect your hair between washes with Pantene’s Oil Replacement. All you have to do is apply it on your wet hair tips without rinsing it off, to get moisturized hair. Use Pantene’s greatest Anti Hair Fall formula yet, to get visibly healthier hair in just 14 days and commit to the regimen for longer term results.
F 1
The glamorous blow-dry is completely timeless and the very essence of an Arab woman. Use a big roller brush to tong some curls through your side-parted locks and gently brush out – not in- before setting with a light-hold hairspray.
2
The sleek ponytail is often underestimated and goes very well with a long neck. Don’t get the look wrong and end up with a low ponytail. To do it right, straighten your ly at the topmost back of your head.
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3
The messy big curls you often see on the red carpet are not very do is just take out the extra water from your hair after the shower with a soft towel, then use a hairdryer to blow out your strands in all directions. Then let your hair cool in large Velcro rollers for an hour.
4
Frame your face with bangs, whether you chose to let them line against your forehead, or if you pull them to the side. Either way, use a large roller brush and secure your fringe away from your eyes with hairspray.
5
Don’t shy away from accessories as they can give a big statement to your otherwise daily do. Big bands are in, especially if you wear them across your forehead. Go for a shiny headband if you’re going out at night, but keep your accessories simple and subtle for a daytime outing.
“
Get visibly healthier hair in just 14 days and commit to the regimen for longer term results.
”
NEW ERA
SUNGLASSES R E V FE Time to upgrade your shades! Sunglasses this spring are funky, trendy and tottaly dope! Check out the 3 hottest trends in shades to amp up your personal style.
ROUND AND ROUND WE GO LE SPECS
+ Craig & Karl
roundabout round-frame acetate sunglasses
ROLAND MOURET max round-frame acetate and metal mirrored sunglasses
HOUSE OF HOLLAND
peggy striped roundframe acetate sunglasses
THE ROW round-frame acetate sunglasses
THE CAT-EYE ILLESTEVA leonard round-frame acetate sunglasses
CUTLER AND GROSS round-frame acetate and metal mirrored sunglasses
THE IMMORTAL AVIATOR VICTORIA BECKHAM classic aviator metal mirrored sunglasses
MAY 2014
HOUSE OF HOLLAND
lipstick cat eye acetate mirrored sunglasses
GUCCI aviator metal sunglasses
ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON
isola ella cat eye acetate sunglasses
LINDA FARROW cat eye gold-plated and acetate sunglasses
PRADA cat eye acetatete sunglasses
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preen by thornton bregazzi ss 2014
COPYCAT MIX N’ MATCH REAL RUNWAY ragmag shows you how to replicate that runway trend! see our takes on how to make the ready to wear, actually wearable
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NEW ERA
BRINGING
GOLD RUSH
virzi+de luca’s gold plated necklace
SEXY BACK
milly cropped printed neoprene top
dsquared ss 2014
dolce & gabbana boned lace and stretch-mesh bustier
maiyet butterfly gold-plated ring
dolce & gabbana flora-print cotton-blend poplin bustier
“AND IT WAS CALLED YELLOW”
stella mccartney armand wool and silk-blend tapered pants
STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
alexander mcqueen embossed stretchjersey pencil skirt
stella mccartney grace metallic faux leather shoulder bag
punt roma giambattista valli ss 2014 givenchy small medallion necklace
ALL ABOUT EVE
jimmy choo
alexander mcqueen leather and swarovski crystal wrap bracelet
MAY 2014
PUMP UP THE VOLUME
gianvito rossi leather pumps
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carven ss 2014
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NEW ERA
CLEAN CUT maria black let’s dance goldplated earrings
CHECK
MATE
cutlerand gross round-frame acetate mirrored sunglasses
versace printed silk-crepe mini dress
moschino ss 2014
carven gingham cotton and silblend cropped top
charlotte olympia pandora squared perspex clutch
lanvin satin wrap pencil skirt
EMBRACE IT
kenneth jay lane
derek lam ss 2014
BE SQUARED marni woven leather ans raffia tote
linda farrow + nicholas kirkwood leather and watersnake sandals MAY 2014
valentino aries gold-tone necklace
holly dyment 18-karat gold, enamel and diamond ring
IN-PRINT mcq alexander mcqueen printed stretchcotton jersey skirt tod’s
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marques almeida ss 2014
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NEW ERA
FUNKED UP DENIM
givenchy purple lacquered metal and orange magnet cone earrings
rosantica himalaya agate wrap bracelet
DRESS IT DOWN
stella mccartney dark blue textured denm tunic top
balmain ss 2014
paul & joe ss 2014
SEXY AND SWEET chan luu leather and bead five wrap bracelet
balmain denim mini dress
acne studios wave frayed denim shirt
TRUE LOVE olympia le-tan love story embroided clutch acne einstein laptop case
maria black alladin rose goldplated earrings
elie tahari lanie handbag
tory burch sophia webster nicole leather and printed canvas sandals louboutin
MAY 2014
emilio pucci embellished mid-rise boyfriend jeans
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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN
BOTTEGA VENETA
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SS 2014
NEW ERA
RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN
ATELIER VERSACE SS 2014
MAY 2014
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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN
VERSACE SS 2014
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NEW ERA
RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN
RALPH LAUREN SS 2014
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EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES
RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR MEN
ICEBERG SS 2014
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NEW ERA
RAGING RUNWAY TOP CATWALK CHOICES FOR WOMEN
AIGNER SS 2014
MAY 2014
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NEW + NOW
FIVE DECADES OF MUSTANG Legendary Mustang Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Middle East Enthusiasts in a massive event in Dubai. From the race track to the silver screen, the legendary Ford Mustang has captured the hearts of muscle car lovers for 50 years. As global celebrations kicked off to mark the legendary car’s golden anniversary, Ford Middle East commemorated Mustang’s 50th anniversary in true muscle car spirit. From the very start, Mustang’s unique combination of style, performance and affordability established an entirely new class of sporty cars that has inspired numerous competitors. Mustang has come to evoke a variety of emotions in customers and fans – freedom, independence and being true to one’s self – just to name a few. To delight Mustang fans around the world Ford recently revealed a Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition car created to honor five decades of Mustang heritage. Only 1,964 units of the 50 Year Limited Edition will ever be built when it goes on sale this fall. Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang GT fastback with performance pack, the 50 Year Limited Edition is designed to provide customers with outstanding performance and a unique appearance that will be instantly recognizable on the road.
GEAR IT UP Samsung Expands Industry-Leading Wearable Line with Samsung Gear Fit New device blends style, fitness and convenience to provide ultimate connectivity for the active mobile consumer. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has introduced the Samsung Gear Fit, the industry’s first curved, Super AMOLED wearable device for the active consumer. The sleek new Samsung Gear Fit provides the superior connectivity benefits of Samsung wearable technology with a custom, real time fitness coach to provide unique, personalized advice and workout recommendations. Whether used as a standalone or companion device, the Samsung Gear Fit puts people in charge of their personal and active lives while staying connected so they never miss a moment. Designed to comfortably contour the consumers’ wrists while offering a vivid Super AMOLED display it also provides consumers with up to date instant notifications from Galaxy smart phones such as incoming calls, emails, SMS, alarm, S-planner, 3rd party apps while on the move so they can stay connected.
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NEW ERA
NEW + NOW
NOTHING BUT LAVENDER Pandora spring 2014 uplifting lavender. Pandora introduces luscious lavender jewels. Echoing the catwalk colours of the season, lavender puts a fresh new spin on classic jewelry styles this spring. Combining PANDORA’s signature femininity with unlimited possibilities to create and combine a personal look, new lavender-coloured drop earrings, dangle charms and fabric-string bracelets add a breath of fresh air to spring’s sophisticated style. A delicate filigree butterfly atop faceted lavender Murano glass charm is a graceful and glamorous addition to your bracelet. Accentuate your softer side with dazzling purple-hued featured glass drop earrings on sterling silver hooks. Or add a spring splash of colour to your arms with a lavender multi-string fabric bracelet to show off the season’s sparkling charms.
CLOUD 9 Get ready to enter this creative, and energetic new beauty institute which debuted in autumn and has now made its way to Beirut. Cloud 9, boasts a lofty and airy architecture while giving off an ambience of lux, chic sophistication that encompasses you on arrival. The sleek, modern look of Cloud 9 provides the perfect setting for the clientele looking for the exceptional in beauty treatments where luxury, pampering and style abound. It’s the ultimate oasis for your mind, body and spirit.
MAY 2014
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SOUNDCHECK
SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL
BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN
Shakira Shakira Shakira has been shaking things up, taking on her role as a coach on the American version of The Voice for the second time, switching labels from Epic to RCA and hitting back at the music market with a brand new English album after releasing her last album of Spanish songs back in 2010 in the form of “Sale El Sole”. When a self-titled album is released, it usually means that a new direction is being taken by the artist; seeking new explorations or a reinvention of themselves, but that is not really the case here with Shakira. The only noticeable difference from her last album (other than the Spanish aspect) is that while “Sale El Sole” was
intended mainly for the Latin market, “Shakira” was obviously conceived with the international market in mind, specifically the U.S. one, covering a wide range of musical genres that all exhale with the trademark Shakira characteristics. Whether dabbling in Reggae on “Cut Me Deep”, in conjunction with Canadian hit makers Magic!, or creating a faux New Country/Pop feeling with Blake Shelton on “Medicine” or even hitting it hard with Rihanna on the colossal hit single “Can’t Remember To Forget You” you cannot help but grasp at the fact that Shakira still has a fantastic sense of good song crafting. Fans will love it.
Damon Albarn Everyday Robots Could this be an auto-biographical album of Damon Albarn or is it a statement of how modern technology sometimes renders us into lonely robots that are lost at bay? It would be fair to say that it is a combination of both, depicting a personal journey of a man who was credited as one of the rejuvenators of Brit Pop in the early 90’s. Meditating on the current technological state we’re in versus the past that keeps hanging on to us endlessly; the mood is dark and cold, the tempo is slow and determined, the album gives us a feeling of light melancholia bathed in a warm blanket of psychedelic bliss while embracing this modern technology that is
slowly isolating us into a desolated state and turning us into, and I quote “everyday robots who press play when they’re lonely”. A grim outlook by the man who revolutionized music whether as a member of Blur, or in his world music projects or even in his new Electronic/ Hip Hop approach as one of the brains behind the genre-bending Gorillaz. Albarn uses impromptu acoustic pieces, spoken parts and other tools to make the listener take part in this journey in order to give a sense of what Everyday Robots would feel in a barren world controlled by a technology that keeps them confused and stagnated. Not for the faint-hearted.
Pharrell Williams GIRL Every period in modern musical history has had its fair share of Hit-Maker/Producer extraordinaire. Dr. Dre was the person to go to at some point if you wanted to have a hit on the charts, Timbaland left his mark on every charted song at another time and now Pharrell seems to be the one enjoying that grand status. He won a Grammy for his work on Frank Ocean’s album, collaborated with Daft Punk on “Get Lucky” and helped Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” album sell millions worldwide, that is without mentioning the numerous work he has done for both Jay Z and Beyonce and that’s just to name a few. As a solo artist, his accomplishments aren’t anything less than astonishing were we to track down his releases
over the years. His latest hit song “Happy”, which was first released on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, made a turn around the planet faster than any Soyouz rocket ever could, appearing on every international chart worldwide, while the rest of the album, “GIRL”, is full of subsequent songs that keep up the energy and upbeat rhythms all the way to the top. “Brand New” sees pal Justin Timberlake lending his vocal talents, “Who You Are” keeps it real with Alicia Keys and further appearances by Miley Cyrus and others can be spotted here and there all over the album. Whether you like him or not, you’ve got to admit that the man is a force to be reckoned with.
The Afghan Whigs Do To The Beast Sixteen years after their last album entitled “1965”, back in 1998, and after the drastic changes the Independent /Alternative scene has undergone, the question remains whether the world really needs another Afghan Whigs album in 2014? The answer, funnily enough, is yes. From the first notes of the opening track “Parked Outside”, you are immediately submerged in the Whigs world of exploring the deep spaces of self-loathing and the dark human psyche in general, something that is, perhaps, much needed to be expressed in this world of care-free pop that is predominantly concerned with partying and the
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superficial aspects of life. Although vocalist Greg Dulli’s harsh voice, which is one of the trademarks of the band and the genre as a whole, is sometimes buried deep in the mix, the songs still come out strong with walls of guitars building and crafting the songs and chaotic yet comprehensive sounds that envelop the withered lyrics capturing tales about the human condition. One listen to “Matamoros” or “These Sticks” will give you a sense of what I am trying to describe to you and Do To The Beast, as a whole, will only amaze you with its honest sincerity. An album to help you get your feet back on the ground.
NEW ERA
as in ge ark ae hit op en gle but se
rst urn uld, he hat he his eys be ke be
WATCHOUT
SPEAK, SEE, HEAR NO EVIL
BY JACQUES TCHABARIAN
BRICK MANSIONS Paul Walker, David Belle, RZA
| 90 mins | Action Crime
If you are looking for a generic, care-free action flick to fritter away your time with, then by all means grab your popcorn and soda and go see Brick Mansions. A remake of the French Action movie entitled District B13 that was produced by non-other than Mr. Luc Besson himself, Brick Mansions also sees Besson taking the job of producer and writer this time around, while the directorial task is given to newcomer Camille Delamare, who is a first time feature director. Damien Collier, played by Paul Walker, is an undercover cop whose sole purpose is to bring to justice a brutal drug
lord known as Tremaine and who is responsible for the murder of his father. He teams up with Lino (David Belle) who is also looking for Tremaine and who has kidnapped his girlfriend, to make things worse, news comes out that the drug lord is now in possession of a Neutron Bomb that will detonate in 10 hours. What follows is an abundance of your standard action scenes, some of them bordering on the ridiculous to the point where you’ll probably laugh instead of hanging on to the edge of your seat as originally intended. Hang on to your popcorn.
Rio 2
| 101 mins | Animated Adventure Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx
Everyone’s favorite endangered jungle parrot is back. Hollywood, in its infinite love affair with sequels, has deemed worthy of making a follow up to the adventures of Blu and company, and even though I clinched my teeth at the thought, as a lot of good movies are butchered in their sequels, Rio 2 has all the good qualities of the first installment to make it work and even surpass its predecessor in some aspects. At the beginning of the story, we find that Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) has become accustomed to living outside the jungle and feels very at home with humans while the fiery Jewel (Anne Hathaway) is more nostalgic for
the Brazilian rain forest and a simpler life. Things are stirred up however when a report comes out about a flock of Blue Macaws being spotted in the Amazon, making Jewel all fired up to go find members of her own species. Although Blu is reluctant at first, he is soon convinced of joining his mate and the two embark on a wild journey full of excitement and funny situations. The movie is well directed, the pace of the scenes are neither too slow nor frantic giving you time to let everything sink in and enjoy all the gimmicks and comedy tinted sections to the fullest. Perfect to take the kids out and have fun yourself at the same time.
WALK OF SHAME |
95 mins | Comedy Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden I always liked Elizabeth Banks. From her numerous roles in television series to a wide variety of movies like The Hunger Games, Our Idiot Brother or her voiceover in The Lego Movie, she always finds an amusing approach to portray her humor in a way that audiences seem to respond rather well to. The way she tackles the issue of ‘the walk of shame’, although maximized here to the extreme, is exceedingly amusing with her characteristically clumsy nature being at the top of its game. Meghan (Banks) is an aspiring reporter who meets Gordon (James Marsden) on a night out with the girls in Los Angeles and the two hit it off exceptionally
well ending up in Gordon’s apartment for a night of recklessness. She wakes up, hung over, the next morning and thus commences her walk of shame as a series of unusual events take place. Having to rush to work without her car (which had been towed), no wallet, which had been left in said car and no phone to call for help she finds that she is totally lost; add to that her suggestive dress, which is quite salacious, she is continuously mistaken for a hooker by cops, cabbies and drug dealers. I will leave it to your imagination to find out how she is able to overcome all these circumstances. Or better yet, go see the movie, you will be entertained.
Oculus | 105 mins | Supernatural Horror Brenton Thwaites, Karen Gillan Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the fairest horror movie of them all? It is safe to say that it isn’t Oculus. Even though a mirror inhabited by an evil spirit is not a topic covered widely in the horror genre as opposed to inhabiting humans, the actors and director give enough credibility to mildly enjoy the movie for 105 mins. Tim and Kaylie had a rough childhood. Their mother was tortured and killed, their father was shot in the head and their deaths were falsely blamed on Tim who was sentenced into protective custody; while Kaylie spent every waking hour in search of the Lasser Glass, an antique mirror she and her brother believe was
MAY 2014
responsible for their family’s demise. Needless to say that as soon as Tim is released from custody and the mirror has been located, brother and sister join forces to confront it and try to destroy it in order to release the curse. Things start slowly at first but the second half of the movie is where some good sequences take place. The special effects that are used to portray the mental mind games the Lasser Glass puts the poor teenagers through is somewhat enjoyable, but again, average acting and directing make the scenes less pleasant. A one-time viewing affair if you want to change from your romantic comedies for a bit.
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BRAINFOOD ROUND #1
ROUND #2
Entertainment
ROUND #4
Science + Technology
ROUND #3
History + Geography
General Knowledge
1. In which country was “The King
1. What do the letters M.P. stand for
1. What was the former
1. What is the first sign of the
2. Which of the Seven Dwarfs wore
2. Which temperature is the
2. Who was the first woman
2. Which grows faster, the finger
3. In the Batman films what was
3. What is the square root of 3025?
3. Which famous ship sank
& I” set?
name of Iran?
in MP3 player?
coldest? -5C or -5F
glasses?
Robin’s real name?
5. How many children were there in
5. What colour is the Black Box
the Von Trapp family?
found in aircraft?
6. In which town did Superman
4. What is the 6th Lettter of the
5. Which European country
5. What English song is the most
the Terminator films?
same for both Fahrenheit and Centigrade?
the film “The Fly”?
10. In which Shakespeare play does
7. In what city was Terry Waite
7. What is the only bird that can
8. What was the name of
8. What paper does Peter Parker
9. What was the name of the
9. What spice gives curry its colour?
swim but can’t fly?
(Spider-Man) work for?
Napoleon’s first wife?
9. The thickness of nylon is
the character Portia appear?
was found dead in his home in 2010?
taken hostage?
8. What temperature is the
9. Who played the leading role in
6. Which English fashion designer
finds the largest pyramid?
“Americium” can be found in what common household safety device?
8. What was the name of the boy in
frequently sung?
6. In which country would you
7. The radio active isotope called
“Jungle Book”?
Greek alphabet?
designed and developed the bayonet?
temperature?
7. What is the name of the tiger in
English?
In which country was the 4. designer Yves St. Laurent born?
6. What metal is liquid at room
grow up?
In French it is called cheval-
3. vapeur. What is it known as in
on 15th April 1912?
known as A0. What is the area (Sq. Meters) of A0?
Chitty Bang Bang”?
nails or the toenails?
to fly across the Atlantic?
4. You have all heard of a paper size
4. Who wrote the book “Chitty
Zodiac?
measured in what?
volcano that destroyed Pompeii?
10. The name “Yet Another
10. New York city stands at the
Hierarchical Officius Oracle” is better known as what?
10. If you were born on November
5th, what star sign would you be?
mouth of which river?
EASY
5 9 4 3 9 2 4 4 1 5 1 3 6 3 2 6 7
ROUND#1 ROUND#2 ROUND#3 ROUND#4
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1. Siam 2. Doc 3. Dick Grayson 4. Ian Fleming 5. Seven 6. Smallville 7. Shere Khan 8. John Connor 9. Geff Goldblum 10. Merchant of Venice 1. Moving Picture 2. Minus 5 Fahrenheit 3. Fifty-five 4. One square metre 5. Orange 6. Mercury 7. Fire Detector 8. Minus 40 9. Denier 10. Yahoo 1. Persia 2. Amelia Earhart 3. The Titanic 4. Algeria 5. France 6. Mexico 7. Beirut 8. Josephine 9. Vesuvius 10. The Hudson 1. Aries 2. Finger nails 3. Horsepower 4. Zeta 5. Happy Birthday 6. Alexander McQueen 7. Penguin 8. Daily Bugle 9. Tumeric 10. Scorpio
5 8 4 9 7 3 2 1 6
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4 2 1 8 6 5 7 3 9
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5 2 6 9 8 3 4 1 7
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7 8 3 4 1 2 5 9 6 NEW ERA
DOWN 2
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someone is talking. 16. More than you want.. 17. Go this way 19. Very flat. 21. Poison taken by many daily. 23. Place one with the waiter 28. Looking for answers. 29. A designer or a car? 30. Adam’s ale! 32. I’ve not been drinking! 35. Very keen to try! 37. It’s finally finished 38. The turn of a wheel 39. Not wearing any 42. Get to your destination 44. God is known as this. 47. A golf shot. 48. Do Christmas bells do this? 51. Not up
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TIME 2 COVER AGENT WISH
be this.
51
52
TAKE A BREAK DURING THE GAME?
PUT KG
GIRLS DO NOT LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.
AG
IS THIS JAMES BOND?
DOES YOUR DREAM COME TRUE?
ECNALG NOT A NICE LOOK!!
PLANS PLASN PLSNA PALSN
JOHN WAS HE A FAMOUS PIRATE?
nafish nafish
USUALLY FOUND IN CANS.
FEET FEET FEET FEET FEET
just
YOU CAN PLAY A DOUBLE SIX WITH THESE.
GG
WE WILL ALL GET HERE SOMEDAY.
ALMOST CORRECT!!
P
P
THE CHINESE ARE GOOD AT THIS GAME.
HALF TIME - PUT ON WEIGHT - TUNA FISH - UNDERCOVER AGENT - LONG JOHN SILVER - SIX FEET UNDERGROUND WISH UPON A STAR - DOMINOES - JUST RIGHT - BACKWARD GLANCE - A CHANGE OF PLANS - PING PONG MAY 2014
20. Is this MC? 22. Look for similarities 24. Baby cat 25. Be thankful for 26. Which way up is it? 27. Ask for a song! 31. Two days before tomorrow! 33. Not American Express 34. Is he on trial? 36. Not acute 38. Fight against authority 40. Between black and white 41. A heavy element or gas? 43. Used for word processing? 45. An assassin 46. Is this the colour of Royal Blood? 49. A French song bird? 50. Is it using your money wisely? 52. Not far away 53. Not going forwards
GROUND FEET
oooDOMooo
LET’S TRY A DIFFERENT WAY!!
ACROSS 3. Was unsuccessful 9. A small part at the start of a river 11. French mother? 12. Try 13. Earth is part of this 15. On behalf of a company 18. Betty, on television, is said to
44
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1. An agreement to stop fighting 2. Do this before an exam? 3. Careful, it can easily break. 4. Taken after a main course? 5. It’s not yours! 6. Not a foreigner! 7. In the past 8. Not much colour! 10. Your knee or a piece of meat? 14. It’s rude to do this when
1.TREATY - 2.STUDY - 3.FAILED - 4.DESSERT - 5.MINE - 6.LOCAL 7.HISTORY - 8.PALE - 9.TRIBUTARY - 10.JOINT - 11.MAMAN - 12.ATTEMPT - 13.UNIVERSE - 14.INTERRUPT 15.REPRESENTATIVE - 16.EXTRA - 17.VIA - 18.UGLY - 19.LEVEL - 20.HAMMER - 21.NICOTINE 22.COMPARE - 23.ORDER - 24.KITTEN - 25.GRATEFUL - 26.UPSIDE 27.REQUEST - 28.QUESTIONING - 29.SAAB - 30.WATER 31.YESTERDAY - 32.SOBER - 33.VISA - 34.DEFENDANT - 35.EAGER - 36.OBTUSE - 37.ENDED - 38.REBEL - 39.CLOTHES - 40.GREY - 41.XENON - 42.ARRIVE - 43.COMPUTER 44.CREATOR - 45.KILLER - 46.BLUE - 47.PUTT - 48.JINGLE - 49.ALLUETTE - 50.INVESTING - 51.DOWN - 52.NEAR - 53.BACKWARDS
1
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e m o H
e m o h m o r f y a aw BY SABINE
HAVE YOU GOT THE TRAVEL BUG? ARE YOU ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHEAP DESTINATIONS TO QUENCH THAT THIRST? THE PLACE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR COULD BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. FORGET AIRFARES AND EXHAUSTING ITINERARIES, ALL YOU NEED IS A CAR AND AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT.
If you can stay for a few days, there are lovely villages surrounding Jezzine. In the midst of fruit tree orchards you can visit, Kfarhuna, Rihan, Aramta, Lwayze as well as explore the southern part of Lebanon, Sidon, Tyre, Qana, the Chouf mountains and Beiteddine. ACCOMMODATION PICK: L’ETOILE DU LOUP
JEZZINE The most famous summer and touristic area of South Lebanon, Jezzine is surrounded with pine forests and is known for its lush landscape. Some of the attractions to visit include the St. Antoine Convent dating back to 1774, the Serail since 1898 and the Farid Serhal Palace where an impressive collection of antiquities can be seen. You definitely won’t leave Jezzine empty handed… the town is known for its traditional cutlery and daggers.
UB
E CHALHO ALPHONS
KFARDEBIAN Whether it’s a winter wonderland you’re looking for or a sunny getaway, Kfardebian is the town of all seasons. A skier’s paradise in winter, all you need is your ski gear, a chalet to stay in and enough wood for your fireplace to last a few days. During the summer, it’s a great escape from the city heat and there are plenty of places to see.
The Faqra ruins lie on a small hill (1600 meters above sea level) overlooking a deep valley in which the el Laban and el Asal spring water flows. The site glows with a natural beauty, with magnificent rocks that rise like a forest of monuments among the ruins. The big tower, the Altar, The Shrine, the big temple, Atargatis Temple, and the tombs are a sight to behold and even though there’s not much evidence to prove how far back these ruins date, you can feel the history and a heritage threatened by destruction. ACCOMMODATION PICK: MZAAR INTERCONTINENTAL
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NEW ERA
OUT + ABOUT
CEDARS Simply known as the Cedars, this haven of beauty will lure you to visit again and again whether it’s covered in a blanket of snow or shimmering with golden rays. The most adventurous way to get to the Cedars is from Deir el Ahmar in the Bekaa valley. The roads wind through the bare mountains offering gorgeous views at every turn. But only plan this route during summer or fall as the roads are usually closed due to snow. The more traditional way to the Cedars is through the village of Bsharre, home of Gibran Khalil Gibran. Upon arrival, the street is lined with souvenir stands and small restaurants. The cedar forest itself is a gorgeously preserved area which is being turned into an open art museum with artist Rudy Rahme transforming dead cedar trees into artistic masterpieces. Many traditional villages are only a short drive away, so if you’re planning to spend a couple of days, there is plenty to see and do. ACCOMMODATION PICK: L’AUBERGE DES CEDRES
BEKAA The Bekaa valley is a sight for sore eyes with greenery and fruit orchards that run for as far as the eye can see. After a tiring day exploring the ruins at Baalbek, you can compare them to the ruins of Anjar the following day. Visit Zahle, Lebanon’s city of wine and poetry and enjoy a traditional meal by the Berdaouni River. Next, you can tour the Bekaa’s world-class wineries and sample a few of the many Lebanese wines available.
Walk along wide avenues and explore the remains of over 600 small shops, city walls and gates, temples, and baths. You can also go trekking, cycling or camping in the remote hills and mountains of the northern Bekaa. And for those of you who seek that adrenaline rush, a rafting or kayaking trip on the Nahr al-Assi River will definitely get your heart pounding... ACCOMMODATION PICK: WEST BEKAA COUNTRY CLUB
EHDEN Ehden is a summer night’s dream. A cool breeze brushes your cheeks while you enjoy a sahlab in al-Midan. It is a beautiful city renowned for its healthy environment, moderate dry climate and natural fresh water and is definitely one of the summer hotspots in Lebanon. Numerous quality restaurants line the streets in Ehden and they are known for their hospitality, high standard, pleasant food and generosity. Many tourists and visitors who come to Ehden ultimately visit Mar Gerges Cathedral, the coffin of Youssef Bey Karam and Saydet el Hosn church which boasts magnificent panoramic views. Concerts featuring Lebanese and Arab stars are held almost nightly and there is a wide array of hotels and resorts to stay in. For the nature lovers, Ehden is also home to a protected nature reserve with a variety of trees, plants, flowers, and rare animals as well as cottages for rent and hiking trips where the lucky visitor might spot an endangered Eastern Imperial Eagle or Bonelli’s Eagle, a Gray wolf, or a wildcat. ACCOMMODATION PICK: EHDEN HOTEL
MAY 2014
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TAKE ME WITH YOU
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NEW ERA
LARA DUNSTON | THE GARDIAN | THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE
THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS HOLIDAY ITINERARY
FROM DAZZLING TEMPLES AND NIGHT MARKETS, TO HILL TRIBE TREKS AND IDYLLIC ISLANDS, THIS ITINERARY TAKES IN THE CLASSIC SIGHTS AS WELL AS MORE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK EXPERIENCES AND DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING THAILAND’S COWBOY COUNTRY.
MAY 2014
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NEW ERA
THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS | HOLIDAY INTINERARY
TAKE ME WITH YOU OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: OLD TEMPLE IN AYUTTHAYA THAILAND. SKY TRAIN MOVING. YAOWARAT ROAD, THE MAIN STREET IN CHINATOWN, BANGKOK
TOP RIGHT TO BOTTOM LEFT: ANCIENT WAT CHIANG MAN TEMPLE, ONE OF THE LANDMARK IN CHIANG MAI. LANDSCAPE OF THAI’S KING PALACE WITH GOLDEN GUARD SHIP ON THE FRONT. LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL IN CHIANGMAI, WAT PHAN TAO TEMPLE.
FROM BANGKOK
Begin in Thailand’s capital, the chaotic nature of which provides a good excuse to retreat to the jungle and countryside to experience the country’s rural charms and to relax at the end with a few blissful beach days. Check out our guide to Where to stay in Bangkok, and our Bangkok in three days holiday itinerary. Once you’ve had your fill of the capital, hop on a train (100 minutes, every hour, 15 baht/£0.30) to Ayutthaya. For a more romantic journey, there’s a two-day river cruise on a teakwood boat with Manorha Cruises (from £530 for two, all inclusive).
OLD TOWNS AND TEMPLES AYUTTHAYA
A stop at Ayutthaya – the elegant former capital of the old Thai kingdom – on your trip north is compulsory. Store bags at the left luggage office (18p). A short walk from the station, the ruins of crumbling red brick temples scattered across sprawling lawns
around town easily evoke the grandeur of a glittering 15th-century heyday. Spend the day strolling the sights before settling into a sleeper on an overnight train to Chiang Mai (railway.co.th or seat61.com/Thailand. htm# – Bangkok to Chiang Mai, 12 hours, sleeper £18).
CHIANG MAI
Charming, arty Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most popular destinations and its second biggest city. Stuck in gridlocked traffic inhaling fumes it feels like it, too, but stroll tranquil temple grounds in the old city, such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang or Wat Chiang Man, and then linger in the leafy grounds of the Green O’Clock cafe and you’ll think you’re in a big country town. Local artist Mit Jai Inn’s boutique hotel Mo Rooms (doubles from £51), with wild rooms themed by Chinese zodiac signs epitomises the stylish new Chiang Mai. The city is peppered with contemporary galleries, vintage boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants (try pio-
CHARMING, ARTY CHIANG MAI IS ONE OF THAILAND’S MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS
BEGIN IN THAILAND’S CAPITAL, THE CHAOTIC NATURE OF WHICH PROVIDES A GOOD EXCUSE TO RETREAT TO THE JUNGLE AND COUNTRYSIDE MAY 2014
neer Pun Pun restaurant) and Café Mini (Soi 9, in increasingly hip Nimmahaemin), which serves small plates. Old-fashioned attractions still appeal: the night market, crafts shops, cooking classes, street food stalls, and affordable massages and spas, along with an abundance of activities around Chiang Mai. While you can easily spend a few days sightseeing and chilling out in town, in 20 minutes you’re in the stunning countryside, dominated by Doi Suthep mountain, Mae Sa valley, and countless elephant camps.
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THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS | HOLIDAY INTINERARY
TAKE ME WITH YOU TOP RIGHT TO BOTTOM LEFT: ANGKOR WAT ENTRANCE. BAYON TEMPLE OF ANGKOR THOM. PEOPLE ON THE ELEPHANT TREKKING IN KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK. THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IN PHANG NGA PROVINCE, THAILAND.
OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: BANGKOK CITY AT TWILIGHT. ANCIENT SANDSTONE SCULPTURE AT WAT MAHATHAT. AYUTTHAYA.
IRONICALLY, FOR ONE OF THE AREA’S LEAST TOURISTY TOWNS, THE MOST POPULAR ACTIVITY IS AN OLD TOWN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE (ABOUT £5.50 AN HOUR) – BECAUSE IT WAS ONCE THE TOWN’S ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORT LAMPANG
For a responsible elephant experience visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (adults £3.75, kids £1.80), on the highway to delightful Lampang (just over an hour’s drive south-east by road), which is under Royal Patronage and cares for over 50 elephants, including the king’s white elephants, and is active in rehabilitation, conservation, breeding, and research. Lampang, which is home to gleaming pagodas and antique timber houses to rival Chiang Mai’s, is worth a detour. Burmese temple Wat Sri Rong Muang has embellished pillars and multi-tiered roofs, while atmospheric Ban Sao Nak (or House of Many Pillars), dating to 1895, has 116 pillars and antique-filled rooms. Ironically, for one of the area’s least touristy towns, the most popular activity is an old town horse-drawn carriage (about £5.50 an hour) – because it was once the town’s only form of transport.
TRIBE TREKKING
When you eventually drag yourself away from Chiang Mai it will probably be for a hill tribe trek, still one of northern Thailand’s must-do activities. It’s estimated that some 800,000 people from ethnic minorities live in around 3,500 mountain villages, so while the scenery you’ll savour as you hike over hills is spectacular, it’s the encounters with people along the way that is really special. Thousands of tour companies offer treks so it’s essential to determine what kind you want to do: from an easy overnighter to a more challenging three days … and do your research.
WHEN YOU EVENTUALLY DRAG YOURSELF AWAY FROM CHIANG MAI IT WILL PROBABLY BE FOR A HILL TRIBE TREK, STILL ONE OF NORTHERN THAILAND’S MUST-DO ACTIVITIES
COUNTRYSIDE AND KHMER RUINS North-eastern Isaan is Thailand’s largest, poorest and least developed region. It’s also the country’s most dramatic, delicious, bucolic, and quirkiest destination. This is cowboy country, Thailand’s rural heartland, beloved by locals for its folk music called Mor Iam, fiery cuisine, and farm stays. It’s also home to splendid Khmer Empire temples – like Cambodia’s, but without the tourists.
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TAKE ME WITH YOU
FROM UDON THANI: A CIRCULAR TOUR While distances are long, it’s possible to get a taste of the region in a few days. From Chiang Mai fly to Udon Thani airport with lowcost carrier Nok Air (1 hour 20 minutes, flights from £44), where you can collect a rental car (try Sixt, from £22 per day) or hire a car with a driver (from £65 per day). Buses run less frequently but are better for longer trips. Alternatively, do an organised tour by car, motorbike or bicycle with Thai tour companies Backyard Travel, Smiling Albino or Spice Roads. From Udon Thani, do a loop west over rolling green hills toward Loei and its colourful flower market-gardens, south-west to Dan Sai, for its ramshackle wooden houses and mask-makers (the masks are worn during the town’s rainmaking festival Phi Ta Kon in March-July), before driving south via Lom Sak and east along quiet roads covered by tree canopies to Khon Kaen. Friendly university city Khon Kaen is Isaan’s foodie capital, famous for spicy som tam salad and fiery curries, best sampled at its lakeside night market. Stay at family-owned Supanniga Home (from £74 per house), set in sprawling gardens just out of town, or in the centre at modern Piman Garden Hotel (from £15), close to the markets and lake Beung Kaen Nakhon, where locals exercise and eat.
VENTURE SOUTH, AND BACK TO BANGKOK Head south via the silk weaving village of Chonnabot, where you can watch weavers work in their homes when they’re not working their farms, to the walled town of Phimai for its elegant 11th-century Khmer empire temple complex Prasat Hin Phimai. Push on to Surin, home to an annual elephant round-up, as well as a laid-back Isaan vibe, and stay overnight at welcoming homestay, Pirim-Aree’s House (Soi Arunee, Thung Poh Road, +66 4451 3234). Rise before dawn for the 90-minute drive south-east, through emerald paddocks where cowboys herd cattle and lush rice paddies are dotted with water buffalo, to the
majestic 11th-century Khmer Empire mountain temple, Prasat Phanom Rung, home to the god Shiva and, nearby, enchanting Prasat Muang Tam, surrounded by a moat filled with lotus flowers. Backtrack to Surin and on to Nakhon Ratchasima (aka Khorat), a busy little Thai city with fantastic street food that rarely sees tourists. If there’s time, before returning your car, check out kooky Farm Chokchai, a favourite with Bangkok tourists for learning to ride tractors, milk cows, make ice-cream, and watch cowboys performing horseback stunts. To avoid driving into Bangkok, take a bus (£6, four hours) to its Northern Bus Terminal, near Mo Chit BTS , so you can make a beeline for the beach.
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THAILAND IN TWO WEEKS | HOLIDAY INTINERARY
OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: KHMER ARCHITECTURE IN PHIMAI. MAUNG TAM CASTLE
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: AMAZING FIRE SHOW AT NIGHT ON PHI PHI ISLAND. PHUKET ISLAND. PHUKET, STUDENT SCUBA DIVERS. RAILAY BEACH IN KRABI THAILAND
ISLANDS AND BEACHES ISLANDS AND BEACHES By now you deserve some time on the beach. Most travellers stay on southern Thailand’s most popular destinations – Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. They’re easy to reach, included in most packages, boast fine beaches, and Phuket’s old town has its charms; but on the downside, they get uncomfortably crowded and are very developed, hideously so in parts. Instead, spend a couple of days each at two low-key alternatives.
IN THE ANDAMAN SEA, NEAR BURMA’S SOUTHERN COAST, ARE TWO BLISSFUL ISLANDS Ko Yao Noi – equidistant from Phuket and Krabi, and easy to reach from both by boat – lies on the edge of striking Phang Nga Bay and is one of Thailand’s most laid-back islands. The beaches may not be breathtaking and swimming is best at high tide but the lack of development, unpretentious accom-
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modation, easygoing locals, pristine forests, birdlife, wildlife, and fishing make it infinitely more appealing than its neighbours. Did I mention the spectacular sunsets? In the Andaman Sea, near Burma’s southern coast, are two blissful islands, surprisingly accessible from Bangkok with Nok Air
to Ranong (95 minutes, from £40) and then transfers by boat. Koh Phayam is the sort of island where not long after checking into your beach bungalow and settling into your hammock to listen to the waves lap against the shore, you find yourself drafting a job resignation letter in your head. There are a dozen rustic places to stay, no ATMs, one supermarket and a few roads. When you tire of doing nothing, there’s diving, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, jungle treks and birdwatching. If that sounds like too much activity, then try Ko Chang Noi. A favourite of artists and musicians, this is an island for beach bums who want to get back to nature. Don’t expect room service, air conditioning, hot water, or even electricity for the entire day. Best pack a guitar or paintbrushes.
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MIND, BODY+SOUL
MIX IT +
FIX IT
TRIED AND TRUE, HERE ARE 6 MORE MIX IT AND FIX IT HOME REMEDIES TO GIVE A TRY!
YOGURT
CURES BAD BREATH If you suffer from halitosis (bad breath) it is probably from one of either 2 things: poor oral hygiene or gastrointestinal health. In the latter case you should seek medical advice otherwise you could be letting a little problem turn into a much bigger one. There are many natural cures for bad breath but the simplest cure is yogurt as it is the one thing we always have in our fridge! Yogurt, rich in good bacteria and contains probiotics such as acidophilus, can cure bad breath in a few seconds, but make sure you consume it every day. Researchers have found that eating 6 ounces of yogurt a day reduces levels of odor-causing compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, in the mouth while also fighting off plaque and gum disease.
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MIX IT + FIX IT
VODKA
FOR STINKY FEET!
Bacteria is usually the cause of odoriferous feet, it eats and lives off the sweat that your feet produces so if you’ve been feeling ashamed it might be time to hit the vodka bottle! Both Myth Busters and Dr.Oz tested out the vodka bath and claim that it works! By soaking your feet in a tub of vodka, its high alcohol content will act as an antiseptic. All you have to do is pour some vodka in a washbasin with a little bit of water, soak your feet for 5-10 minutes, and that’s it, bye bye smelly feet!
OLIVE OIL EASES ECZEMA
Crammed with antioxidants that can reduce the inflammation associated with eczema, olive oil is a base for many moisturizers. When used naturally, it lacks the chemical irritants you find in store-bought creams. As a bonus, olive oil’s antioxidants help prevent and repair damage that can lead to wrinkles and brown spots. Rub 1 teaspoon per square inch of skin, which creates a seal that prevents skin from drying out. For serious cases, cover oil-coated skin with plastic wrap overnight to seal moisture in.
BAKING SODA
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS UTI is a very common health problem which, if left untreated, can turn into a much more serious problem. Baking soda creates a more alkaline bladder environment which decreases the bacteria’s ability to multiply. It raises the acid-base balance of acidic urine giving you relief from the pain and, by neutralizing the acidity in the urine, will also help speed up recovery. Simply add one teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drink it once or twice a day. Continue this once a day until you can get a culture done at a doctor’s office and start antibiotics.
PAPAYA
SMOOTHER SKIN Papaya contains a protein-eating enzyme called papain which breaks up and dissolves the dead cells on the skins surface. Dead cells make your skin look jaded, rough and prone to breakouts. For softer, smoother and radiant looking skin use the following peel twice a month: Crush 2 tablespoons of washed and peeled papaya in a food processor and add 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal. Smooth the mixture onto clean face and leave for 10 minutes, then wipe off with a wet washcloth. This mask is especially ideal for those with sensitive skin as the enzymes in papaya are gentle.
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LEMON BALM TEA FOR COLD SORES
Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is packed with antiviral properties that can heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. A large study in Germany found that once treated with lemon balm, not a single cold sore reappearance occurred (though it did not improve other symptoms such as pain and scabbing). Prepare lemon balm tea by brewing 2 to 4 tablespoons of the herb per cup of boiling water, let it cool, then dot with a cotton ball on the cold sore several times a day. You can also purchase lemon balm cream which can help reduce the healing time of both oral and genital herpes.
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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY
LA PETITE MAISON from nice to beirut If you’ve not heard of La Petite Maison Beirut, then like me you have been missing out on a lot this past year. Little did I know that I could have experienced the magical food of La Petite Maison a lot sooner. It has been tucked away on the first floor of hotel Le Vendome Beirut for the past one year. It is one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world that has found itself in Lebanon and it is just waiting to show your taste buds what it’s all about.
Walking through the Lobby at the Vendome, I am not sure what I expected. I had to check that I was dressed appropriately for my meeting a couple of times, thinking that I was going to be frowned upon for being underdressed. The Lifts opened up to this brightly lit, modern creation restaurant, where I was greeted with a warm welcome by smiling staff. On the way to my table, and for the next few minutes I couldn’t stop myself from grinning as I was looking forward to getting to know La Petite Maison, and it was beyond my expectations. La Petite Maison, has a similar concept to how we order our food in Lebanese Restaurants. I couldn’t grasp it at first, as it is a foreign concept in western cuisine. It is all about ordering different dishes to share and taking socializing to a whole new level. La Petite Maison caters for all types of occasions, from business meetings to casual gatherings. They do not have a dress code. Feel free to stop by and experience the wonderful world of La Petite Maison.
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DIRECTOR BOB RAMCHAND & CHEF PATRON RAPHAEL DUNTOYE
LA PETITE MAISON | FROM NICE TO BEIRUT
BEIRUT - it was a natural next step in terms of geographical location, after London and Dubai, for the Nice-born La Petite Maison to open up in Beirut. As a large dedicated community of Lebanese lives in the South of France; Beirut, the city, didn’t need much introduction, with its genetic loyalty. Bob Raymchand, director, states: “Beirut is my favourite place to sit down, to have lunch. It reminds me of Nice with its lights and the Mediterranean sea.”
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This French Mediterranean restaurant, set in a casual chic atmosphere, serves classic Nicoise cuisine with a modern twist, creating light, healthy and deliciously palatable dishes of the very best fresh raw materials. The concept is Mediterranean, especially inspired from Nice: Plates are served in the middle of the table to be shared and enjoyed by the guests. It is a great way for people to foster togetherness over a sensational meal. Prepared ‘a la minute’ – nothing is cooked or even cut ahead of time – this Nicoise Mediterranean cuisine with Ligurian Italy influences from across Nice is presented as of when ready to maximize the culinary experience. The tomato, the lemon and olive oil on the table is a good reminder of the flavours of the South of France. Food for thought is to slice the tomato, season and enjoy.
TOMATINI MADE FROM FRESH TOMATOES
“Food Should Be Like A Naked Body; You Should Never Hide Any Imperfection”
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EXPAND YOUR
PANTRY For her menu selection, check her out on the web http://www.bylara.me @laraariss
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bylara
laraariss
NEW ERA
EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY
AVOCADO + BANANA
SMOOTHIE
PREPARATION TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 4 LEVEL EASY
INGREDIENTS • 1 avocado • 1 banana • 118 ml plain yogurt • 350 ml fresh orange juice • 50 ml honey • 600 grams ice.
METHOD
• In a blender, combine avocado, banana, yogurt, orange juice, honey, and ice. • Blend until smooth. • As you blend, you • Serve
immediately.
ZUCCHINI BREAD PANCAKES PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 15 MINUTES LEVEL EASY YIELDS 12 PANCAKES
INGREDIENTS • 2 large eggs • 35 ml olive oil • 30 grams light brown sugar • 60 ml yogurt • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 480 grams shredded zucchini • 110 grams all-purpose flour • 1/4 teaspoon table salt • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg butter or oil, for coating skillet
METHOD
• In a large bowl, combine eggs, olive oil, sugar, buttermilk and vanilla until smooth. • Stir in zucchini shreds. • In a smaller
nutmeg. Stir dry ingredients into zucchini batter, mixing until just combined • Preheat oven to 90°C and place a tray. • Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Once hot, melt a pat of butter in pan and swirl it around until it sizzles. • Scoop serving spoonfuls of batter in the pan. Depending on the size of the pan, you can cook up to 3 or 4 pancakes at a time. • Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook another minute or two, until golden underneath. • Transfer pancakes to prepared pan to keep warm, as well as ensuring that they’re all cooked through when they’re served. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm.
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EAT, DRINK+BE MERRY
CARAMEL DATE CAKE PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES BAKING TIME 15 MINUTES COOKING TIME 15 MINUTES LEVEL EASY
METHOD FOR SPONGE
• Place the dates in a bowl and pour over the boiling water. Set aside to cool. • Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 23 cm round tin. • Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and •
mixture in three batches, alternating with the dates and water. Fold in the chopped pecans. • Pour the mixture into the • Leave the SPONGE INGREDIENTS • 175 grams chopped stoned (pitted) dates • 175 ml boiling water • 50 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature • 50 grams dark soft brown sugar • 50 grams granulated sugar • 1 egg • 165 grams all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon orange blossom • 1 teaspoon nutmeg • 75 grams chopped pecans. CARAMEL SAUCE INGREDIENTS • 160 grams granulated sugar • 65 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature • 100 ml whipping cream.
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METHOD FOR SAUCE
Caramel Sauce To prepare the sauce, put the butter and sugar in a thick-bottomed saucepan and stir constantly over a medium heat with a wooden spoon until it becomes a smooth, dark caramel. The butter and sugar will look as if they have split but just keep on stirring. Once the desired color is reached, carefully add the cream while stirring vigorously. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Serve as a separate accompaniment to the cake.
NEW ERA
TOMATO JAM
METHOD
• In a medium saucepot set over medium heat, heat olive oil,
PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME APPROXIMATELY 80 MINUTES LEVEL EASY
add garlic, ginger, and red onion, and sauté until translucent. • Add tomatoes, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. • Add vinegar, honey, brown sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise. • Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes
have dissolved and the liquid has evaporated, a period of 60 to 75 minutes. • Discard cinnamon sticks and star anise before serving. • This jam may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
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INGREDIENTS • 15 ml olive oil • 2 small cloves garlic, minced • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced • 1 small red onion, peeled and finely diced • 800 grams plum tomatoes • 118 grams cranberry juice • 60 ml honey • 50 grams firmly packed brown sugar • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • Pinch of ground cloves • 2 cinnamon sticks • 2 star anise.
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ZODIAC FORECASTS FROM JONATHAN CAINER
May 2014 MAY LOOKS SET TO BE SPLENDID, NOT LEAST BECAUSE IT BRINGS THE END OF A RETROGRADE PHASE FOR MARS THAT BEGAN IN MARCH. EVER SINCE, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FEELING ODDLY LACKLUSTRE ABOUT PROJECTS AND PLANS. WHILE THIS HAS HAD ITS ADVANTAGES, IN THAT IT HAS ALLOWED TIME FOR SOME ARRANGEMENTS TO ‘SHAKE DOWN’, LIFE HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO JUST ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND CRACK ON. THIS MONTH, WITH VENUS ENTERING THE SMART, PRINCIPLED SIGN OF ARIES JUST AS THE ACTION PLANET CHANGES DIRECTION, IT WILL BE MORE THAN JUST SLEEVES THAT RISE AFRESH!
CANCER
© 2014 RICHGLARE.COM.
June 23 - July 23
GEMINI May 22 - June 22
Should you be more organised, more focused, more practical? Quite possibly. But only a bit more. People who put accomplishment before everything else end up with a lot to write home about, but risk having nowhere to address the letter! Nobody, back at home, can relate to them any more! By restructuring your schedule and re-evaluating your priorities, you can make a lot more happen now. That’s undoubtedly a good thing. It must not, though, be allowed to become the only thing that matters to you in May. FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
LEO
People often ask ‘what does it mean when my ruling planet is passing through my sign?’ I usually reply that this is encouraging but not a guarantee of a time of total success. Some other astrologers seem to make more of this than I do. It is not for me to say whether they are right or wrong, we must just agree to differ. And that is the very line to take in May when you find yourself dealing with someone whose world-view differs from your own. But you can at least be encouraged that this is a very good time to be reasonable.
July 24 - August 23 Why does something have to be very new or very old before it is considered desirable? If an item is clearly fresh from the factory, it is ‘good as new’. The moment the throwaway packaging is thrown away, it is ‘second hand’ and worthless. If it is so old that you can hardly even see what it once was, it becomes a priceless antique. You can do yourself a real favour this month by remembering that there is great value in things that few people value. Think differently and you will solve a problem with surprising ease.
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
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VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
August 24 - September 23 Imagine falling in love with a cartoon character. Imagine then rejecting all other offers of relationship because nobody lives up to your ideal. It is one thing to hold out for the very best. It is another thing to reject a near perfect proposition because you are in favour of an entirely unobtainable fantasy. So far, so wise, so obvious. The trouble is, we don’t always realise when we are chasing rainbows. If May starts to show you that your great dream can’t become a reality, fear not. It will also show you something even more inspiring.
September 24 - October 23 Sceptics are dismissive of ethereal beings from another realm. But aren’t we ourselves only partially present in this realm? Don’t we come from (and return to) some unknown place? And even while we are here, don’t we spend many hours flat on our backs with our minds in a different world? That effectively makes us fairy folk! What’s more, we have the power to grant people wishes. And when we do it for them, they do it for us! As Mars now changes direction in your sign, believe in the magic that you can work this month.
October 24 - November 22 Big problems bring out your best. Given a crisis to tackle, a fire to fight, or a major potential disaster to avert, you become almost superhuman. You race to the rescue of people in need - and you swiftly sort out your own difficulties, too. But when something comparatively small is irking you, there is a different reaction. You become apprehensive and defensive. Be glad of any aggravation you encounter in May. Mars changes direction, implying that your big ‘problem’ is not as big as you fear. Just be wise and kind.
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
November 23 - December 21 For some while you have been exploring an idea, entertaining a vision and telling yourself that this is all you are really doing. Just whiling away a little time. Yet you have also been setting in motion a series of processes that have the potential to make the whole thing happen - telling yourself, as you do, that you are under no obligation to take your opportunity, even if you do manage to create it. That’s true. You are not under any such obligation. But can you resist the chance that will come your way in May?
December 22 - January 20 Vinyl chairs, beds and sofas can be folded up so small that they fit in your pocket and then just filled with air when needed. Yet many people don’t take them down once they are up. They leave them lying around until they develop a leak and turn into a liability. We do much the same with our anxieties. We blow them up out of all proportion and then keep them inflated, even when they have lost all relevance. Pleasing developments in May will puncture one of your great concerns. Don’t reach for the repair kit!
January 21 - February 19 While you wait this month for a fairy with a magic wand to turn up, see how much magic of your own you can muster. There is now a situation you are exceedingly keen to improve. But the more you look at it, though, the more you can see only a long, hard road to travel down. No wonder you feel reluctant to make the journey and want to find a miraculous solution. But if you actually set off down it, you will find the path from here to happiness is easier and more enjoyable than you ever expected it to be.
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
PISCES
ARIES
TAURUS
February 20 - March 20 We soon learn that it isn’t wise to be oversensitive. We live in a world full of appalling, abhorrent aberrations. If we stopped long enough to be truly upset by each one, we would spend our whole life racked with agonised emotional empathy. It would be like stopping to admire the beauty of every single daisy, or the intricate perfection in every blade of grass... only in reverse, if you see what I mean. Sometimes, the broad view is the only view we can possibly take. Do what you can this month. You will have done enough.
March 21 - April 20 Your ruler, Mars, usually spends just a couple of months in each sign. It follows a different schedule in 2014. It has been in your opposite sign all year so far and is due to remain there for a while to come. The reason for the extended visit is a retrograde phase which comes to an end later in May. Hence the emphasis on all matters that involve contracts and agreements, business or personal, and hence too, your feeling of frustration at the slow progress here. But this month, things start moving in the right direction at last.
April 21 - May 21 Nobody would know from looking at you that you have grown a whole year older. But from talking and interacting with you, many must be noticing how much wiser and more mature you have become in your outlook. You are finding it much easier to cope with challenges and difficulties that might once have proved deeply problematic. This month will bring further tests of your resourcefulness and further rewards, too, for your patience. You will rise to your challenges brilliantly and will turn them all into opportunities.
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
FOR YOUR DAILY FORECAST AND MORE FROM JONATHAN, VISIT WWW.CAINER.COM
MAY 2014
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NEW + NOW
BALANCE OUT WITH HEIDI KLUM Model launches exclusive sportswear line for spring. Supermodel, fashion powerhouse and television host Heidi Klum joined forces with New Balance for an exclusive, ultra-feminine shoe and apparel collection that affords you an air of confidence and sex appeal with every workout. Doing double duty in the gym and on the street, the Heidi Klum for New Balance collection includes skirts
with built-in leggings, t-shirts with cutout backs, layered tanks, half-zipped hoodies, cropped tees, sports bras and fashionable, comfortable running shoes. Bold colors, edgy cuts and quality fabrics ensure that active women never have to sacrifice style. From the designers of Project Runway, the sportswear collection is now available at Aïzone stores across Lebanon.
MERCEDES-BENZ Mercedes-Benz celebrates the Dynamic New Luxury SUV Range Capability, Versatility, Luxury: Live the life Mercedes-Benz Middle East and Levant celebrated the success of its latest SUV range at the ‘Discover 2014’ event in Dubai. The event was designed to demonstrate the full capacity of the Mercedes-Benz luxury SUV range which caters to the wants and needs of the modern lifestyle and to discover the versatility, capability and luxury of its impressive fleet of off-road vehicles such as the legendary G-Class, versatile GLK-Class, powerful M-Class, and the unequalled flagship 7-seater GL-Class. The growing popularity of Mercedes-Benz SUVs in the Middle East has seen sales surge up to 450% in the last decade, more than double the worldwide growth-rate. With an off-road and four-wheel drive heritage of over 100 years, Mercedes-Benz now boasts an unrivalled SUV family designed to give reassuring luxury with each engagement and in every angle while delivering peerless performance, fascinating technology, space and refinement across any terrain.
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