Thursday, January 15, 2015

Traveling on Lebanon's mountain roads

I have been for the last few days spending my time (4 to 8 hours a day) on the road trying to reach the Bekaa valley. 
Though I visit the country often, I usually live in the confines of Beirut. So it was an interesting though tiring experience.
What I discovered is a mixture of emotions, memories and disappointments.
The country has a definite charm as to scenery. Mont Lebanon under snow is lovely.
One cannot also be except amazed by the number of micro-climates you experience in Lebanon within a distance of less than 100 kilometers. 
It is a blessing of nature that can be a golden mine for tourism.
Looking closer one sees the levels of pollution personified by the black that smears the snow not only by the side road as everywhere in the world, but up to tens of meters from the road which is dismaying.
While sitting in the car in a traffic jam that one rarely experiences in cities not to talk about internaitonal roads, one cannot except wonder why is the infrastrure so decrepit. The roads were perfect for the 1970s of the twentiest century. They are insufficient for today in view of the number of cars and the traffic levels. In addition they are badly maintained and badly policed.
And where is the railroad network that would solve many of transport and traffic problem?!!
I started dreaming of sitting in a wagon and reaching the Bekaa in less than an hour....
Yet the problem also lies in the Lebanese culture of refusing to stay in line. On a road of two lanes, drivers insist on overtaking thus blocking the road for car coming the other way. 
The result is a jumble and blockage that takes hours to resolve....
Conclusion: Lebanon is a beautiful country where the people elect incompetent government.
The country is plunging into underdevelopment and its citizens still live in the haze of the "Switzerland of the Middle East".
A total state of delusion.
I love this country but I have to say that it is unlivable. 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Happy birthday my love

On this day in 1952 a shooting star was born. It soared to the skies touching each and every person lucky to walk its path. Its shine was too intense to remain. Lucky was every person who bathed in its light. I was the luckiest of all. The ninth of January remains the day that made my happiness and bliss a reality. My star still guides me, soothing the pain of separation. Happy birthday my love!