By Rana Zalghout | Staff Writer
Nostalgia is defined as the desire to return to a previous era and a specific particular period. It could allude to a place or other things from your past that you miss. Nostalgia is not merely reminiscing about a wonderful memory from the past, it is a yearning for the past—a deep wish to be in another time.
While some people describe this sensation as uplifting, others describe it as excruciatingly painful. Nostalgia can be harmful for a variety of reasons. It is a reminder of how things could have been or what they used to be, it has a habit of only reminding you of the nice things in life that you no longer have, often brushing aside any unpleasant or painful memories. This process leads us to subconsciously conclude that the “good days” in our lives are finished or that things will never be the same again. This is a difficult thought to reconcile for anyone, and it may frequently lead to deeper feelings of depression, intensifying sentiments of nostalgia into something heavier and darker.
Living in Lebanon and witnessing both Lebanese eras, pre-crisis era when the dollar’s rate was around 1500 L.L., and the crisis era whereby the dollar rate keeps on fluctuating in the black market. Those two eras are crucially distinguished in that the crisis has taken its toll on the Lebanese financial, economic, social and wellbeing aspects. So, what memories do Lebanese people reminisce the most? And what emotions does this nostalgia make them feel?
Whenever I ride a service taxi to go to my classes, the taxi driver starts a conversation by complaining about the country’s situation, and how much it’s costing him nowadays to buy gas. As he’s talking about how much he’s stressed and anxious, and how the “good old days” before the crisis have passed as he was making good amounts of money, I get surprised by the fact that 3 years ago, a ride in Beirut used to cost 2,000 L.L. only. Indeed, I remember the fact that whenever a taxi driver requested 3,000 L.L. instead of 2,000, we considered it pricey and asked for another cab. What’s more painful is that organizing a trip inside Lebanon was so easy and cheaper since gas prices were stable and accessible. In fact, a road trip from Beirut to the north cost less than 50,000 L.L. Nowadays, a service taxi to a nearby area costs 100,000 L.L. per person.
Moreover, it was a famous meme in Lebanon that the pyramid-shaped Bonjus’ price will always be 250 L.L. no matter what happens. Many Lebanese’ childhood highlights eating a zaatar man’oushe that costed 500 L.L. with a pyramid Bonjus. The combination was very tasty and pocket friendly, it didn’t belong to a certain social class in Lebanon. However, due to inflation, many residents who are struggling with poverty can’t afford to eat this significant part of the Lebanese cuisine.
What’s more is that the government’s electricity was available 12 hours per day. We barely had to worry about staying in the dark at home. Besides, Beirut was lit, especially Zaituna Bay that reflects a modern/western part of Beirut in which the skyscrapers were bright and lit. Another breathtaking view that barely exists is the city lights’ view from mountains in Lebanon. Unfortunately, this scene has changed now, and it is rare to see the whole view bright because of limited electricity.
Additionally, I remember how easy it was for Lebanese people to save up money in the banks and easily exchange the local currency to U.S. dollars in order to travel abroad. Little did people have to worry about getting their money stuck in the banks, nor did they consider the “daily price” of the dollar in the black market. Also, prices were much cheaper than nowadays, especially the imported goods. Indeed, Lebanese used to buy new outfits on different occasions without getting overwhelmed by inflation.
Lastly, I miss the Lebanon that had our families gathered in one place. It was easier for Lebanese to work and settle in Lebanon instead of moving abroad to live a better life. I still remember how many of my university friends aspired to stay in Lebanon after graduation; however, because of the crisis, they all can’t wait to graduate now and leave.
As I’m writing this article and reminiscing about those memories before the crisis, it makes it difficult to accept the fact that this was our reality only 3 years ago. So much drastically changed in such an overwhelming way that the Lebanese situation pre-crisis feels like decades ago. Remembering the “good old days” hurts because there is a high probability with the existing political structure that Lebanon will never be the same; however, we should never give up and still have some hope for this country. It might never go back to the way it was, but this doesn’t mean that it won’t get better!