A city heading towards the future

It's been an interesting day in Beirut. It is really hot and humid here this time of year. Today we've orientated to the city, where you can really see the huge difference between different parts of the city. The central Beirut was destroyed in war so that part has been fully built anew, so it's very Western and fancy. Everywhere else you can see destroyed buildings with all the holes on the walls of the houses of once so beautiful city.Now the city is really a one huge reconstruction site.

The military presense is seen everywhere. It reminds me of Israel. Almost in every street corner there are soldiers or police standing very visibly with their guns (which is a great help is you get lost since they are friendly and speak god English). Today we actualy got taken into a military check point since we were obviously taking pictures on a wrong place (not of forbidden things)since the soldiers got worried that we had taken a video of they actions. In the end it was a bit funny when thay looked at our holiday pictures and laughed a bit (!) on us since the pics weren't really that thretening at all.

And it's hard to decide whom to worship in this city since there are pics of Rafic Hariri, one year ago assassinated prime minister ALL OVER the city, on every wall, street corner, even on cars. We went to see a rememorial site of him yesterday evening. In many places you also see posters with one word in two languages: TRUTH. I think it refers to international investigation on the murder. The public opinion is that it was done by Syrians but nothing is proved this far, although it's already more that a year ago.

Other thing you can see everywhere are the Brasilian flags. Not sure on that either, guess it refers to fotball.

Anyway, we've got to see a lot. The seaside is absolutely beautiful. The atmosphere is very much more open and international than in Istanbul. We visited American university of Beirut campus, that is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world with view on the sea and an amazing garden around the old pictoresque buildings. Maybe I could study a bit more...

Planning to do some day trips to Tyre, Byblos and Baalbek. Trying to keep you updated.