mardi, janvier 23, 2007

I don’t know, you should ask the Hajj!!

After a hard day of work (actual work), I went back to my friend’s place. It turned out that, in the morning, she drove all the way fom Hamra to Grand Lycée Achrafieh to drop her son there. The effective of students was less than required, therefore classes were cancelled. On their way back home, she got stuck with her car in Gemmayzeh because all roads back to Hamra were closed. She had no other to choice other than parking her car and walking back to Hamra. So I volunteered to accompany her to Gemmayzeh by foot of course since all the roads were closed and no cab driver would accept to take us. So we walk all the way. First, we found the first barricade next to Murr Tower where, not only tires were burnt, but also garbage and even the big Sukleen garbage disposals. I don’t know why exactly, maybe they wanted to do something useful and contribute to the recycling process. Anyhow, after we crossed this first barrier, we crossed tent city where we ask the Indibat guys for directions for our target destination. After a walk of 30 minutes, we reached Gemmayzeh and found the car intact. We were very pleased that we found the car, thinking that all our problems are solved. We went from Gemmayzeh to Sayfi in order to take the sea road back to Hamra. We found another barricade, backed with concretes and many soldiers. We ask the soldiers whether we can pass or not. We were more than surprised to hear their answer, which was: “We don’t know, you should ask the Hajj.” Astonished, we cruised towards the Hajj to ask for a pass. As expected, he didn’t allow us a pass. The road is closed. Then my friend said: You can open the road just like you closed it”. Then start our long struggle to cross the demarcation line that all Lebanese thought that this was an image from the past that won’t reemerge. We were moving from one barricade to another, asking the Hajj in charge of the barricade for permission to pass but fruitlessly. Then an idea came across my mind. Since the country has been transformed to a jungle, where no rules apply other than the rules of the jungle. So, we decided to follow our instinct. We crossed from Achrafiyeh, Sodeco, Ras el Nabeh, Barbir, Corniche el Mazraa, Verdun and Hamra. And here comes the end of a long journey where I discovered that I’m ashamed of living in a country where the legal authorities have no more authority, where I have to ask the Hajj for a pass in MY own country, to go back to MY home. I’m ashamed of living in a country where blocking the roads, closing the airport, destroying the economy is considered as peaceful and democratic. I’m ashamed of living in a country where the opposition deal with the country more than the declared enemy would do.

10 commentaires:

Anonyme a dit…

Very well said ... this is exactly how I feel ... or possibly a bit more ashamed because when people asked me about what's happening in my country today, I actually denied any knowledge saying that I was too busy to check. Honestly, I didn't want to deal with the humiliation so I pretended ignorance. What is there to tell them? Really, what?

Zizou From Djerba a dit…

azizi Nabil ! my thoughts are with you! take care and be patient !!

healthcare.consultant a dit…

I feel exactly the same!!! Such a pity that we live in this bloody country where we struggle everyday to make it through the day!!!

I think our bank of patience is getting bankrupt ........

take care of yourself and stay alive!!!

nobilis tobilis a dit…

am,
maybe pretending ignorance and indifference is the best way to deal with the current situation.
But I believe that Lebanese living abroad are even more concerned of what's happening here

zizou,
thanks for the support! We are waiting for you in Lebanon.

stb,
all our banks reached bankruptcy (especially the bank of sanity)
Btw, don't forget the meeting on thursday :)

Anonyme a dit…

well, in Dubai the situation was calmer,
hey guys why don't you come over here!!!
i work daily from 8:00 Am to 6:00 pm without worrying what will happen tomorow.

Anonyme a dit…

Yeah as vlado said,come to Paris where you wait till 10pm to take a peak at the internet to see what's happening in your country....
Am not ashamed but tired of always being asked "Mais alors qu'est ce qui se passe chez vous?",,,yesterday I did just like AM, pretended I have no clue although I was being updated by sms every once in a while...being abroad and watching what's happening is more stressful than being at the "scene".

The best or the worst is yet to come?????????

nobilis tobilis a dit…

Hey Krys,
Yeah I noticed that u were away these days.
I wish I could go back to Paris

Anyway, about what's yet to come, do you think Michel Hayek could help us?

Anonyme a dit…

Update:
Morning conversation:
A: We got a special price for the ticket.
K: Yeah it was a really special price man!
Moi (joining the conversation): Ticket to where?
K: To Beirut haha
A: Tickets to Beirut are free of charge now haha
Moi (looking obviously very uncomfortable): sigh
And yes, I'm having a bad day!

Anonyme a dit…

NT, chou bedak bel raj3a 3a paris, it's freezing here....alerte orange, il a neige aujourd'hui!

nobilis tobilis a dit…

am,
i find it really frustrating like when you watch a Holliwood movie, they always mention Beirut as the example of destruction and conflicts. It's a real shame.
Some people are showing to the world a completely different image of our country.

krys,
believe me it's still better than here. And btw, i'm allergic to dust and smoke and still suffering till now. :)