It's 2017 ... and yes, power outages are still a thing in Lebanon. Daily outages in the country depend on where you reside, reaching up to 12 hours in some villages in Southern Lebanon.
Average Beirut power cut = 3 hours
Beirut, the city's capital, gets three hours per day on average. Here's what you could do in those hours of no kahraba.
1. Travel to Cyprus
Plan a trip to Cyprus for 4 days, take only a handbag (to make check-in easier) and get on the next flight out.
Getting from Beirut to Cyprus should take approximately 46 minutes, so with check-in (assuming you get to the airport 2 hours in advance) ... it should take you just as much as an average 3 hour power outage in Beirut.
If you take this recommendation seriously, here's what you should see while you're there.
2. Give birth
If you're lucky enough to give birth within three hours of labor contractions, then just make sure to time it well with the power outages of your area.
Hospitals have 24/7 electricity (generators upon generators) ... so take advantage of that.
3. Do a series binge
A clue! Charge your laptop when the electricity is available, so you can use it when its not.
Now that you're set, you could basically watch your favorite series. A personal favorite is Sherlock Holmes.
4. Run the Beirut Marathon
If you're a runner, then make sure to set a new personal record when running the 42K marathon in November.
If you're not in the right shape to run the full marathon, consider making use of your time by running half a marathon or even the 10K run.
5. Convince your mom that she needs to stop making dust rags out of old t-shirts
It may work, it may not. You gotta try your luck. You've got three hours to do so.
6. Walk from Jiyeh to Saida
If you're feeling up to the challenge, this is a good one for the spring/summer.
You could soak up some sun at the beach in Jiyeh (amazing sandy beaches) and then hitch-hike your way to Saida.
It will take you approximately 3 hours.
7. Watch The Godfather
OK, you may be wondering how you're going to watch a movie if you don't have electricity. Buy the DVD for 1,000 LL and make sure your laptop is fully charged and get the movie going.
Part 1 runs for 175 minutes which means you will only have to suffer through 5 more minutes of no electricity after the movie is over.
8. Make koussa and wara2 enab
If you get someone to stuff your koussa and wara2 enab ... then the entire process should take you less than 3 hours.
The cooking time for such a dish is approximately an hour, sometimes a bit more, depending on the quantity.
9. Play a round of Risk
If you love hosting game nights, then RISK should definitely be on your list when there's a power outage.
The dark sets the mood straight for such a boardgame ... and it will take you 3 hours (on average) to finish -- sometimes more, sometimes less.
10. Volunteer at the St. Jude Cancer Center
It's not a show-up-and-volunteer procedure, but if you've signed up for the volunteering program, then a session of volunteering will take you 2 hours, twice per week.
11. Start your roadtrip in Jbeil and drive to Tyre
It will take you approximately 2 hours (probably more with the traffic jams) ... and maybe with a few stops on your way?
Bouzet Bachir, ZWZ, Kababji, Pain d'Or ... are only a few options you'll see on your way.
12. Watch Haifa Wehbe's Boos El Wawa 60 times
That's three hours of your time you'll never get back.