Baalbek, Lebanon

In Eastern Lebanon, close to Syria, is the ancient Roman city of Baalbek. Surrealist Jean Cocteau travelled here during his eastern explorations in the early sixties. I wonder if these temples and rubble inspired him somehow. A few of his sketchings still hang in the halls of the old Palmyra Hotel, a spooky auberge close to the ruins that has never closed a day since its doors first opened in 1874. We only spent the afternoon here, but some places stay with you, even if you only experience them in passing. Baalbek is one of those places for me.