Flags hang in the streets, but are also flown from cars and scooters as they zoom around town. Restaurants and pubs have started advertising that they'll broadcast the games. Don't have a flag to wave? No problem. They're sold on the streets or in the shops where you can buy bracelets, pins, wrist cuffs, key chains and so on . . . all to show support for your team.
11.5.10
Loyalty
All over town, flags are waving. Why? The World Cup.
Flags hang in the streets, but are also flown from cars and scooters as they zoom around town. Restaurants and pubs have started advertising that they'll broadcast the games. Don't have a flag to wave? No problem. They're sold on the streets or in the shops where you can buy bracelets, pins, wrist cuffs, key chains and so on . . . all to show support for your team.
Flags hang in the streets, but are also flown from cars and scooters as they zoom around town. Restaurants and pubs have started advertising that they'll broadcast the games. Don't have a flag to wave? No problem. They're sold on the streets or in the shops where you can buy bracelets, pins, wrist cuffs, key chains and so on . . . all to show support for your team.
10.5.10
No Parking
Sometimes, the temptation to anthropomorphize something is simply too great.
This sign, for example. The rusty crack looks like a frown on a big, moon shaped face. The diagonal shadow, like the slash through a 'no smoking' circle reinforces the sign's forbidding message. The redundant cross bar is like arms drawn by a child, with one side raised just enough to add a touch of menace, like a cocked fist.
This sign, for example. The rusty crack looks like a frown on a big, moon shaped face. The diagonal shadow, like the slash through a 'no smoking' circle reinforces the sign's forbidding message. The redundant cross bar is like arms drawn by a child, with one side raised just enough to add a touch of menace, like a cocked fist.
9.5.10
Kaak on the Beach
Here's a photo from our recent trip to the public beach. To drive there takes us only 10 minutes (it'd be less but for traffic), and although proximity is on our side, our visits are rare because there's an awful lot of preparation and clean up involved.
But it's good to know that we can strike "snacks" from the list of things to prepare. The man with that wonderful bicycle is selling Kaak, a circular bread with the hole in it. Makes a nice handle. The bread is hollow inside, so you can put stuff in it, normally Zaatar (an herb mix of thyme and sesame and I'm sure other stuff too). Later in the day we bought Kaak with cheese in it. Yummy, and they cost only about $1 each.
Bike-enabled commerce like this is common on the streets of Beirut, though now that I get to wondering about it, I can't say I've ever seen someone ride this kind of bike. I've only seen them pushed along by the owner, and on the beach that would be a must in any case. The sand was so soft.
But it's good to know that we can strike "snacks" from the list of things to prepare. The man with that wonderful bicycle is selling Kaak, a circular bread with the hole in it. Makes a nice handle. The bread is hollow inside, so you can put stuff in it, normally Zaatar (an herb mix of thyme and sesame and I'm sure other stuff too). Later in the day we bought Kaak with cheese in it. Yummy, and they cost only about $1 each. Bike-enabled commerce like this is common on the streets of Beirut, though now that I get to wondering about it, I can't say I've ever seen someone ride this kind of bike. I've only seen them pushed along by the owner, and on the beach that would be a must in any case. The sand was so soft.
8.5.10
Brace Yourself
Elsewhere, I've remarked on buildings going up in the city, noting that they're almost always faced in stone. I tried to describe the way these sheets of stone are attached to the concrete facade, and the metal fixture that makes it possible. I don't think I described it well.
Here's a picture of the metal bracing contraption that fixes the decorative stones to the facade. Several of these pins are inserted into holes drilled into each side of the stone, bracing it to the wall and to the stone adjacent to it.
Here's a picture of the metal bracing contraption that fixes the decorative stones to the facade. Several of these pins are inserted into holes drilled into each side of the stone, bracing it to the wall and to the stone adjacent to it.
7.5.10
6.5.10
The Builders
Another scene of work in progress.
What struck me this time was the element of teamwork involved here. I spend most of my time alone, doing things that are done easily (perhaps best) in solitude. Even back when I busied myself with heavy, hard work, I still was at it alone.
I've complained (perhaps that's too much. Reported?) that these guys have no protective gear, but they have each other and this picture almost makes me envy it.
What struck me this time was the element of teamwork involved here. I spend most of my time alone, doing things that are done easily (perhaps best) in solitude. Even back when I busied myself with heavy, hard work, I still was at it alone. I've complained (perhaps that's too much. Reported?) that these guys have no protective gear, but they have each other and this picture almost makes me envy it.
5.5.10
Lion Twins
For me, this blog is first and foremost, a great excuse to get out there with my camera, to create something to keep and share of a city that I love. It helps to be part of the City Daily Photo community. Y'alls comments mean the world to me.
City Daily Photo is world-wide. Anyone, anywhere can join and that openness allows us all a simpler view of the world, sometimes from very different points of view, one photo at a time. Without this community, I'm sure I never would have seen this picture taken in Jerusalem. Go ahead and click, and compare it to my photo below.
We have almost-matching lion buildings.
I don't know when Beirut's Assicurazioni Generali building went up but it is shockingly like the one in Jerusalem. Also, I'm not sure if the building still houses the Generali Group or not, but the ground floor is now an upscale cafe in one of the most squeaky-clean sections of town.
City Daily Photo is world-wide. Anyone, anywhere can join and that openness allows us all a simpler view of the world, sometimes from very different points of view, one photo at a time. Without this community, I'm sure I never would have seen this picture taken in Jerusalem. Go ahead and click, and compare it to my photo below.
We have almost-matching lion buildings. I don't know when Beirut's Assicurazioni Generali building went up but it is shockingly like the one in Jerusalem. Also, I'm not sure if the building still houses the Generali Group or not, but the ground floor is now an upscale cafe in one of the most squeaky-clean sections of town.
4.5.10
A&P
A&P in Hamra.
Standing on the street, you'd never guess. Tucked behind the rainbow striped canopy and down a half flight of stairs, you'll find a fantastic store filled with all kinds of household and culinary treasures. I was in there the other day and among other things, I found a real waffle iron, top quality utensils, cookware and bakeware. There were fancy trash cans with sensors that open the lid when you put your hand close to it, beautiful hardwood tea boxes and a great selection of glass canisters in all sizes. It's probably my new favorite place.
Standing on the street, you'd never guess. Tucked behind the rainbow striped canopy and down a half flight of stairs, you'll find a fantastic store filled with all kinds of household and culinary treasures. I was in there the other day and among other things, I found a real waffle iron, top quality utensils, cookware and bakeware. There were fancy trash cans with sensors that open the lid when you put your hand close to it, beautiful hardwood tea boxes and a great selection of glass canisters in all sizes. It's probably my new favorite place.
3.5.10
Half
Recently, while driving near the National Museum, I noticed half of a really nice building.
The other half? Very likely it was destroyed during the war. The National Museum was very nearly destroyed too, but it has been nicely restored since. If you visit the museum, be sure to watch the movie that they made of their efforts to preserve the collection. They encased larger items (statuary and sarcophagi) in concrete--think of them as tailor-made mini bunkers. Then, when the war ended, they carefully chiseled them out. I'm so glad it worked.
The other half? Very likely it was destroyed during the war. The National Museum was very nearly destroyed too, but it has been nicely restored since. If you visit the museum, be sure to watch the movie that they made of their efforts to preserve the collection. They encased larger items (statuary and sarcophagi) in concrete--think of them as tailor-made mini bunkers. Then, when the war ended, they carefully chiseled them out. I'm so glad it worked.
1.5.10
Statuary
It's a little bit shocking how much there is to see and do at Jeita Grotto. The sign I posted yesterday gave but a hint of all the on-site attractions. There's a little train that travels between the upper and lower caves and the parking area. There's also a cute little cable car that covers the same territory (there's a servicable pathway to walk if you choose--a nice option to avoid waiting in long lines). There are gift shops and restaurants and a fun little zoo with birds, turtles, rodents, monkeys and goats. And there's a sculpture garden. These statues stand at its entrance.
Across the path from it, the sculptor's workshop caught my eye.
I really liked the terra-cotta color of the wall, the beat up wheelbarrows and the slabs of unworked stone.
Today's post is part of the theme day 'statues' at City Daily Photo. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Across the path from it, the sculptor's workshop caught my eye. I really liked the terra-cotta color of the wall, the beat up wheelbarrows and the slabs of unworked stone.Today's post is part of the theme day 'statues' at City Daily Photo. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
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