A few thoughts from Lebanon:

Traveling alone has both pros and cons. For instance, a major pro is you can move at your own pace, which for me, means quickly. There is no waiting around for someone to admire something you find boring (I am specifically thinking of the endless hours I’ve spent waiting for my mother in art galleries). You can also spend extra time where you want too. Meals and nights are major cons though. I’ve re-enacted this scene from Forgetting Sarah Marshall (more or less) on numerous occasions:

Waiter: [confused] You're just by yourself?
Peter: Yeah.
Waiter: Sucks. Okay, so just one. Here's your wine list, your menu, come on. You want, like, a magazine or something? It's gonna be boring if you're just sitting by yourself.
Peter: No, I'll be alright. Thank you

There must be a law in Lebanon that says you have to honk your horn every block or you’ll get a ticket. I’ve never heard so much honking in my life.

Driving in the Middle East in general is an experience. I’ve become pretty comfortable in the back of tiny taxis zipping around at 100+ at times. There are traffic laws but they are loosely followed and from what I can tell, not enforced at all. A Beirut cab driver told me it’s ok to drink while driving, just as long as you aren’t drunk. It makes an NYC cab ride feel about as dangerous as taking a nap.

In Beirut there were guys on scooter everywhere and they were nuts - just zipping in and out of traffic without a care.

My parents were right: I should have focused more on learning other languages. The failure to do so is currently my biggest regret from my academic career (for the record: they were wrong about everything else we argued about).

Huge plus about Beirut: an abundance of fruits and vegetables. My diet in Saudi lacks both

My last day in Beirut I went to the National Museum; which was heavy on artifacts but light on explanations as to their relevance. Lots of really, really old stuff…and tough security…

I then went to a late lunch at one of the best Lebanese places in the city. It was well worth it. I had the best humus I've ever tasted.

I kind of wish I’d taken a ride out of town to see one of the historical sites outside of Beirut. Next time I guess…

Most of our consultants that live in the Middle East full time reside either in Beirut or Dubai…it would be a tough call, but I’d lean toward Beirut, I think. The city would take some getting used too, but it’s authentic, worn and livable. It’s truly one of the oldest cities in the world (5000+ years old). Dubai would feel more like home, but it’s kind of impersonal.