what is next?

Popularity in Beirut is ephemeral, one day it is extremely popular to eat, drink, shop, party in one area and the next thing you know, a war brakes out, or the government suddenly decides to ban alcohol and loud music in this particular area, or a political party decides to invade the space with tents and squat indefinitely. Your favourite hang out in town is now banned. You need to find an alternative place to have fun. The city lives in cycles. And the people move with its rotation.

“Downtown Beirut” used to be the place to be and get seen. Shopping, strolling, watching people, and playing safely with the little ones (no cars) were possible in DT Beirut. But one sad day, settlers invaded the space, placed hundreds of tents and declared war to the government. Some of us thought that come winter, they would be fleeing to their comfortable homes. But alas, that was underestimating their stamina and who they actually are. People whom have fought the enemy with every once of blood and tears would not be frightened by a bit of cold rain and stormy weathers.

So, people have moved on to other parts of Beirut for their daily fix of entertainment. Gemayzeh became the next best thing. The street of Gemayzeh used to be a ghost street, filled with mines, shattered buildings, and scary neighbours. Today this street is hip. I would like to live next to it (should have thought about that 5 years ago, when the meter price was semi affordable, now up to 3500 usd per sqm). Each night, its fancy and funky bars are filled with a happy crowd. Unfortunately few days ago, its residents being fed up with the late night commotions created by the loud party animals went down to the streets demonstrating in their pajamas! Subsequently, the government chose to shut down the lovely, newly established and full of life bars of Gemayzeh.

Shutting down another part of the city to those who are seeking an island of fun is depressing. Lebanon is entering yet another delirious stage and is slowly becoming a ghost country. I am sure the Lebanese will create a new hob for entertainment, but what bugs me is how easy it is to shut down bars and make people unemployed compared to achieve a political settlement and move on from this muddy periods.