tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061665328242748532.post6103404291837232544..comments2024-03-24T05:21:44.666-04:00Comments on PinkTaxiBlogger: Reclaiming BeyrouthPinkTaxiBloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105826333680155633noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061665328242748532.post-86424796196523258362010-10-09T06:02:44.431-04:002010-10-09T06:02:44.431-04:00It takes you 24 hours to get accustomed to the way...It takes you 24 hours to get accustomed to the ways of Beiruti.You enter the grim grey new airport that replaced the lovely modern 50's old airport.You feel you are getting into a police state,when the ottoman-like custom officer asks you about your profession,after you have been looked at suspicioucly by the immigration officer.<br />You get out to be hit by the Beiruti breeze which is so particular of the polluted city.The road from the airport to the Solidere city,in the heart of our old Beyrouth,is coloured with pictures of turbines of all shapes,and smiles or smirks,promising you a worrisome stay.Forget about driving around,unless you are great al Luna Park driving,or at my grandson's PSP games.<br />Once you get to the coastal area,where the hotel district is,you are welcomed by the charred St George Hotel,whose owner refused to renovate spite Hariri's projects.It is so starnge that poor Hariri ended up being blown up in the same spot,where his smiling statue looks at you.Today as the blogger visits to discover herself and her ancestoral city,there is renewed talks about what the "Truth" of the Hariri murder,might uncover,to cause another mad round of verbal warefare,if not another sectarian conflict.<br />Beirut:you either love it or hate it!Nevertheless,your roots get shaken each time you try to sit under the majestic Ceders of Lebanon!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com