Summer 09 : Fireworks and Gunshots

As the Beiruti summer winds to a close from the initial sunrise of beachtime in May to the wild clubscene firework displays, the Lebanese have shown the world and CNN for that matter that Beirut knows how to party. Party Capital 09, is somewhat of an ironic title for 'the city known to never surrender". During the bleakest of days in its troublesome past, this city of 5000 years has had its share of ups, downs and revivals. Once a terrorist haven of the 80's, its now been labeled a first class tourist haven boasting a 6 month summer long 24/7 party atmosphere compared with world reknown destinations such as Marbella, and Ibiza Spain. With an endless stretch of trendy beach resorts, hotels and streetside cafes, complimented by night with restaurants, rooftop clubs and International festivals, the city has something and everything for even the most seasoned of travellers.

Yet the other side of the picture portrays a more familiar Beirut we have come to know through media's past, kept in hiding during the summer months with the official end of summer. The sound of fireworks are to be replaced by the sound of gunshots, blaring dance music by those of loud political bickering and the revisited talk of an 'Israeli threat' on thy beloved Lebanon. Welcome in Hizbullah and their revised defense strategy and threats to bomb Tel Aviv if and only if or when Beirut is targeted. Seasonal Power sharing as it has come to be known, is the status quo of Lebanon post 2009. A calm summer, could or would be followed by a havoc fall season if and only if Israel decided on prolonging the loud thumps and beats blaring out of the beiruti skyline clubs, only this time from the turrets of their merkava tanks.

Come September, as Lebanese expats and tourists board their planes westbound to the americas, africa, europe, and elsewhere time will tell how long the silence of the summers end will pass only to be disrupted aloud with the uncertainties of war.