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.
2 comments:
Dejlige billeder Leila og dejlige betragtninger ;o).
Og ikke mindst dejligt at man kan komme med kommentarer til dig.
les gens comme nous peuvent-ils etre heureux ailleurs?
j'aime ce pays, mais c'est un pays de fous!
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