Archive for December 19th, 2014
How to Separate waring factions? And how Green can this Line of separation be?
Posted on: December 19, 2014
Separating waring factions
When people talk about Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil wars, you’ll often hear references to the Green Line.
I’ve never really questioned the term. Maybe that makes me ignorant, maybe it doesn’t. Blue Line, Green Line, Maginot Line, Metaxas Line.
At some point, these things aren’t about etymology, they’re about tragedy.
But exhausted by ambient tragedy, today I wanted to find out about etymology.
I found that as Beirut retreated into Christian East and Muslim West, the no man’s land that slid into the cracks in between them became so hostile to human life that the streets and alleyways were overtaken by a dense ecology of plants, seed-carrying birds, and pollinating insects that settled into the fissure made by humans.
Into the void left by warring humans, nature crept back in.
And for probably the last time ever, in the absence of men and their filth, a sliver of Beirut was allowed to be green.
Pictures like you to stay, and others want you to leave Lebanon
If you look past the annoying traffic, corrupt bribery, weak economy, and prestigious celebrity wannabes, you’ll realize there’s more to Lebanon than meets the eye. (How bribery facilitate life?)
Check out 7 pictures that will make you want to grab your passport, toothbrush and Samsonite, and make a break for it; and then seven more we hope will immediately change your mind.
After all, it’s a rotten country, but it’s what we call home. (Fatherland? Where you were born? Where you are not that welcomed overseas or feel normal again?)
This shot was taken merely seconds before a car bomb went off killing 16-year-old Mohammad al-Chaar, who was just passing time with his friends in downtown Beirut. (Image via Daily Mail Online)
Haret Hreik after the war in 2006. Israel erased a 10-block quarter in the last day of war, in pure spite. (Image via SOUAR)
Taken by Steve McCurry during the civil war, the Lebanese will always find a way to survive.
Here’s a (Parliament that extended its tenure for an entire term) full of empty-headed fools. (Image via Lebanese Examiner)
“Hey, what if a lawmaker actually punched a female employee in the neck because she refused to help him first?” Deputy Nicholas Fattouch. This family is intending to build a cement factory in city of Zahle against the will of the people and sent its militia to harass and threaten TV coverage. (Image via Daily Star)
Syrian refugees in Lebanon are forced to live in makeshift camps with little access to resources. Over 1.5 million reside in Lebanon (40% of the population) with modicum aid from the international community. (Image via Ya Libnan)
Nearly a year ago, Sukleen (a Hariri waste collecting business that has been extending its term for ever) bins around Beirut were overflowing with garbage due to the inaccessibility of the landfill in Naame. If you look closely, you may even be able to see the natural color of the bins buried under all that garbage.
Yesterday, a cleaning worker found a decomposing prematurely born dead child in the garbage. (Image via Blog Baladi)
Drop that suitcase! In an attempt to help needy children this Christmas, Joue Club and Live Love Beirut teamed up to gives kids in Lebanon the Christmas they’ve always dreamed of. (Image via Instagram)
Legends diva Sabbou7a never die! (Image via Daily Star)
Last Independence Day we showed the world we are united. ( A President for the Republic has not been elected after 5 month, a no official celebration was performed and the military cadet graduates cannot enjoy an official graduation ceremony) (Image via Naharnet)
There’s art on every corner, literally. The municipality of Beirut has plans to demolish these stairs for a parking lot
The city never sleeps! Just another ordinary night at Sky Bar. (Image via Instagram)
The view from just about anywhere is absolutely breathtaking. (Image via Live Love Beirut)
Need I say more? (Image via Live Love Beirut)
(Yes you need to say far much more. No pictures proved the need to stay in Lebanon)
Adonis Diaries 