This year my apartment is on the back side of the NEST building. It is a bit quieter. I have a balcony off each of the three spaces: the bedroom; the living room and the kitchen. My favorite balcony is the kitchen one as it has a table and chairs. I have enjoyed breakfast and evening relaxation here before the rains started. See photo with breakfast!It is ironic that I have a view of a newer apartment building from the apartment. When I first visited the NEST in 2006, this building was under construction. I remember "fondly" the jackhammers at 6 a.m. my first morning in Beirut! Now it is a building full of residents. This year the construction is for a new building across from the front of the NEST. One thing I've learned about Beirut... it is a city in a constant state of building and re-building.
The final photo shows the front view of the NEST building. The NEST moved to this building in 1971. It holds the administrative offices, classrooms, a large and small chapel on the main level, a dining room, student lounge, the library with rare book room, Christian Education resource center, student housing, faculty housing, a gymnasium, an auditorium and parking garage, along with other offices. As many students say, the NEST truly is a NEST... holding and nurturing many emerging treasures.
