During the ride back from the airport on our first night, we were stopped at a security checkpoint. Surrounded by cement barriers and beaming flashlights, two men in dark colored camouflage approached the vehicle, carrying M16s. My cousin Patrick panicked and told us to put on our seat belts. There is no seat belt law in Lebanon but he said they can use any reason to give us a hard time. They asked for my cousins identification and why were driving into the city at 3 AM. My cousin explained to them we were returning from the airport and that I was from America. One of the men then asked for my passport, he gave it an extended look. I doubt he had seen many American passports before, but the pictures matched up so he gave it back. Before letting us leave the soldier had to get in a quick jab. He stuck his hand in the car and pointed to the cross Patrick had hanging from his mirror, “Your cross is too big,” he said while snickering to himself. A reminder of how real the religious differences are here.