The winding cliff road seemed to stretch endlessly before us, the city lights of Beirut slowly dissolving into the darkness behind. His silence weighed heavily on me, amplifying the unease that had settled in since the previous night.
To break the strain he suggested we visit his university. Curious to see the place where he had studied, I agreed, and we set off toward Jounieh. Its wisdom resonated through weddings, funerals, and those quiet moments in between. I love her too.
He continues, "Reminds me of something Dr. He mentioned it so casually, as if it were just another part of his life. I turned to him, staring in disbelief, trying to wrap my mind around how he could drop such a monumental detail so effortlessly, as if it were just another part of his day. Joseph had been handpicked by casting directors—or more likely, the State Department—to be part of this grand experiment, a TV show designed to bridge the chasm between East and West.
The goal was simple: immerse them in different cultures, have them meet people from all walks of life, visit iconic American landmarks, and film every reaction, every moment of cultural exchange. The show aired both in the Middle East and the USA, a carefully crafted diplomatic effort masquerading as a Documentary.
Joseph was chosen out of 50, applicants—one of only four to receive that coveted spot on the show. It was his golden ticket, his Willy Wonka moment. It allowed him to leave the confines of the refugee camp in Lebanon and step into a world few in his position could ever dream of.
