no president?

Let’s imagine for a moment that we do find a president for Lebanon.
Let’s assume that he is democratic, decent, intelligent, strong-minded, just, and independent, with no criminal records and with a vision of the New Lebanon.

Then what?

Then we might need to wake up. And realize that such a person do not exist and remain alive on these borders. That Lebanon, despite its 64-year-old independency is not a unified, or stable country.
That maturity requires wisdom, patience, vision and trust. All values that are lacking in the current Lebanese political arena.

So?

We wait. We hope. We dream. We educate.
And we wait again for a new generation that might carry some of the values that are needed to create a democratic Lebanon.

Beirut gets a lifting

Urbanization and presidential elections (presumably this November) go hand in hand in Beirut. During the weeks prior, we noticed added value to the eclectic scenery of our city. The municipality is very busy; building sidewalks and thus replacing the thrill we once had when walking on the streets. They are creating beautiful and large sidewalks along the 3 km Corniche by the sea. Aluminum fences replace the shabby blue-painted rusty metal ones. Apparently they are sturdier should we encounter the long awaited tsunami, promised by National Geographic few months ago!

I also noticed this morning frantic workers setting up traffic lights on the very popular street of Mar Elias. Trying to make our roads more civilized and orderly makes me smile. The street of Mar Elias is ruled by chaos. Traffic lights will only add to chaos. Some of us (those who once lived in northern European countries where crossing the road at a red light practically got you a fine) will try to abide by the traffic lights. Others, Lebanese drivers who probably got their driving permit during the war by merely showing up at the police station, will deliberately ignore the lights, thus creating more chaos.

New president or not, parts of Beirut are getting a well deserved lifting. This is a bit refreshing and entertaining while we are waiting for revolutionary transformations.

Walking in the streets of Beirut is a wonderful thing.. You discover hidden places, magical alleys, forlorn doors and flowery windows.. all part of the scenery that I cross everyday by car but do not actually see. So I decided to stop the car and just walk and contemplate. Part of the architecture of Ashrafieh (east Beirut) is influenced by the French, which makes you forget where you are. Even the people in their little shop salute you with a Bonjour when you walk in.

A world apart.

Here is a picture taken few days ago.. these buildings tend to disappear and are replaced by gigantic and sometimes monstrous concrete buildings.