Having been back for several days now after being in Syria, I must say I do enjoy the comfort and amenities of Lebanon and the ability to skip of to Beirut for the weekend. Alas both cities, i.e. Damascus and Beirut are very different, with Damascus being the traditional ‘oriental’ city with a claim of around 7000 years of existence; Beirut is the modern, snappy and hip capital of the eastern Levant.

I like both of them for different reasons, and was sad to see that Damascus has some bad days ahead of it and if you want, past it already. Only yesterday and days before, the Sheraton Hotel was hit by mortar or similar, a sign that even that place is not safe, also it kind of felt like that only three weeks ago. This is another indication how dangerous perceptions in such situations can be, since in conflicts like these there is no safe. So how about Beirut, can we really say it is safe? Honestly, it is a dangerous perception as well, and as only the weekend of 17 March showed, it can turn on a dime in minutes. After an attack on two religious persons the mood turned like in no time, and the situation became so serious that even the security establishment said that not much more would have been needed to push the city/country over the brink into the abyss. Then last weekend, again the calm on the surface, nice sunshine, people in coffee shops sipping their coffee and smoking their water pipes, all in all an everyday peaceful morning scene from Beirut. Even the Beirut Harley Club had a big meeting in Hamra, preparing for one of their many weekend rides.

However the city felt emptier, even in the mall later, until after lunch it was more or less empty? Coincidences, people still trying to go skiing in Faraya, go to the beach in Batroun or the south, not sure, maybe something else.

The weather has been up and down to, one day over 36 degrees already, hot wind blowing from the south, including transporting some locust from Egypt to Lebanese shores, the next day barely 19 degrees and cool. What never changes is the Lebanese traffic, which, to put it politely, is mad at any time, any weather or temperature. I wonder if people if they drive in other countries, especially the northern hemisphere are able to obey the rules, try not to cut off other cars, misuse the red lights or drive against the traffic. Just wondering, as here it seems to be a long way from anything close to be driving according to even the Lebanese traffic rules. Sometimes it adds to the flair of the city but more then often it is just annoying.

Today the first swallows/swifts arrived in the south, a sign that spring can not be to far. Like every year, they come from one day to the next, not just one or a few but whole swarms. At the end of the summer it is the same, from one day to the next they are gone, and then autumn is far away either.

Sunday morning view of my balcony after waking up :) !

This weekend is the Easter Holiday, so HAPPY EASTER to everyone.

What else is happening, well, Gun's n Roses are playing at the Forum in Beirut and our southern neighbour is getting ready, again, for moving north, or at least so the press reports. We will see if it this happens.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful spring, until the next time, bye for now.