I woke up today and took a walk toward downtown Beirut. Today is off in Lebanon. Another Easter to celebrate. The orthodox (Eastern) Easter that comes one week later. Is not amazing to work in a country with so many religions, each with its particular celebration dates? Talking about tolerance, coexistence, and trade-offs, Lebanon has a number of lessons to give to the rest of the world in this respect. Not because I enjoyed these off-days, but simply because every one celebrates every one's else day. In Lebanon, you are lost between those who could be seen as Christians and those who could be seen as Muslims. Every one is equally happy to wish you good health and prosperity on your celebration days. Lebanese disagree on a number of political issues, but when it comes to tolerate each one's beliefs, there are not many countries I can compare Lebanon with.
Today it was not the best weather for a walk on the Corniche, but I could not resist the call of the Mediterranean sea, dressed with a black coat of bad days. If you think about large, voluble, and profound object on the earth, the sea is such an object. It is not the greatest, but it gives you an idea of what is big but flexible; what is beautiful but dangerous; and what is profound but specially polluted by human activities. From my apartment I have a partial view of the Pigeon Rocks, the symbol of Beirut. From my window, on sunny days, I can enjoy the view of the sea dazzling, waves dancing in the air, the sun coloring the space, and the blue merging with waves.
I have been a while in Beirut, Corniche longing the seaside and Charles De Gaulle avenue, is the promenade with most of my footprints. Corniche is a long promenade of 4.8 kilometers, and has never been beautiful since its trajectory has been prolonged toward the sea at the Zaitouna Bay.
I would start my walk from KFC and turn North. The first corner is an amazing spot as it reveals the south part of Beirut. You can see, if lucky, an aircraft about to land. You have a clear view of the Pigeon Rock. I usually spend 2 - 3 minutes here. I will then continue my walk down to the military beach. The promenade gets larger from the Riyadi sport centers on the other side of Chales De Gaulle Avenue.
From the first end of the military compound to the lighthouse, the promenade is not as crowded with people as at the corner nearby the lighthouse. There is a restaurant just about the seaside.
From the lighthouse, the promenade is open to the sea and the mountains. From here you start sensing why there are so many people visiting the promenade Corniche every day. There is a great sense of freedom at the Corniche where all kinds of activities take place. People run, walk, stand by, take selfie, and ride. Every one enjoys a superb view of the blue-sky melting into the sea.
Corniche reveals also a city full of contrast. On one side the sea inviting every one to enjoy and to share, on another side skyscrapers distinguishing the very few. Strange enough these apartments with a breathtaking sea view are rarely occupied. You don't see people sitting on the large balconies. Maybe they lock themselves behind tinted glasses. But I really wonder why pay so much for so little use. There must be a rational explanation.
Corniche is not equally occupied. There are spots where you see people standing, sitting or taking their breaths, but there are spots where every one is in move. Joggers are better off running from the first end of the military compound to AUB. Beyond packs of people move slowly.
Today it was not the best weather for a walk on the Corniche, but I could not resist the call of the Mediterranean sea, dressed with a black coat of bad days. If you think about large, voluble, and profound object on the earth, the sea is such an object. It is not the greatest, but it gives you an idea of what is big but flexible; what is beautiful but dangerous; and what is profound but specially polluted by human activities. From my apartment I have a partial view of the Pigeon Rocks, the symbol of Beirut. From my window, on sunny days, I can enjoy the view of the sea dazzling, waves dancing in the air, the sun coloring the space, and the blue merging with waves.
I have been a while in Beirut, Corniche longing the seaside and Charles De Gaulle avenue, is the promenade with most of my footprints. Corniche is a long promenade of 4.8 kilometers, and has never been beautiful since its trajectory has been prolonged toward the sea at the Zaitouna Bay.
I would start my walk from KFC and turn North. The first corner is an amazing spot as it reveals the south part of Beirut. You can see, if lucky, an aircraft about to land. You have a clear view of the Pigeon Rock. I usually spend 2 - 3 minutes here. I will then continue my walk down to the military beach. The promenade gets larger from the Riyadi sport centers on the other side of Chales De Gaulle Avenue.
From the first end of the military compound to the lighthouse, the promenade is not as crowded with people as at the corner nearby the lighthouse. There is a restaurant just about the seaside.
From the lighthouse, the promenade is open to the sea and the mountains. From here you start sensing why there are so many people visiting the promenade Corniche every day. There is a great sense of freedom at the Corniche where all kinds of activities take place. People run, walk, stand by, take selfie, and ride. Every one enjoys a superb view of the blue-sky melting into the sea.
Corniche reveals also a city full of contrast. On one side the sea inviting every one to enjoy and to share, on another side skyscrapers distinguishing the very few. Strange enough these apartments with a breathtaking sea view are rarely occupied. You don't see people sitting on the large balconies. Maybe they lock themselves behind tinted glasses. But I really wonder why pay so much for so little use. There must be a rational explanation.
Corniche is not equally occupied. There are spots where you see people standing, sitting or taking their breaths, but there are spots where every one is in move. Joggers are better off running from the first end of the military compound to AUB. Beyond packs of people move slowly.
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