14.2.11

Two Palaces

Not every block in Beirut has a meticulously maintained Ottoman-era home. The ones that do are lucky to have them. And when you find a block in Beirut that has more than one, like this one in Clemenceau, you can't help feeling that it's something special.

Today is the sixth anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri. Back when it happened, in 2005, friends of ours lived on the top floor of the yellow house in the foreground. The shock-wave from the explosion that killed him blew out all of their windows.

A lot of windows were blown out that day, and obviously far worse things happened too.  Our friends were understandably terrified but they weren't hurt, thankfully. If only everyone had been so lucky.
Posted by at

8 comments:

  1. margaret14 February, 2011 14:04

    Very beautiful.

    And I am glad for your friends.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marillionlb14 February, 2011 14:30

    In the hope that the days of car bombing are well behind us.
    Beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Leif Hagen14 February, 2011 14:59

    Some scrumptious architectural details! Must be an expensive neighborhood, non?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary Ann14 February, 2011 21:21

    It's getting pricier every day. It's a neighborhood in transition, where older homes are being replaced by luxury high-rises that are far too expensive for locals. It's forcing them out, which is terrible for many reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pam Lane15 February, 2011 09:03

    Wow, so impressive! I hope these don't get replaced...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous15 February, 2011 12:26

    Beautiful! wow!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Joan Elizabeth15 February, 2011 23:02

    I had no idea about the type of buildings to be found in your city until I began following your blog. it is wonderful to see a city revealed in detail.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dina17 February, 2011 16:41

    Wonderful house.
    But a terrible murder.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)