Summer has arrived in Beirut.

And in summer, Beirutis like to socialise.

Eliza caught up with a new bookclub and held her first dinner party, nine months after arriving in Beirut.

That's a long time between jalapeno-infused cocktails and glasses of Rose on the balcony. But setup in a new city takes a while.

The dinner party was a huge success, despite her dessert being a flop.

The event made her reflect on the different approaches to making friends at home and abroad on postings.

Geraldine conducted an interesting interview with French thinker Bernard Henri-Levy.

The women finish by wondering if we might be witnessing the long, slow decline of Benjamin Netanyahu's rule in Israel.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

'Becoming' - Michelle Obama

A European of French Origin: Bernard Henri-Levy on ABC Saturday Extra

New Elections in Israel - Saturday Extra ABC RN

Lebanon Faces Economic Collapse