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Reading all these articles in the Lebanese media slamming Saad Hariri for replying by mistake to a “good morning” tweet by the Israeli ministry of defense spokesperson Avichay Adraee was quite normal. It just proved that some Lebanese journalists have really nothing to do sometimes other than “philosophizing” a two words tweet!

But has anyone found it weird how it’s very acceptable in Israel for a high ranking official to initiate a conversation with a Lebanese person? Don’t they consider us their enemies?  I just tried searching for an article in Israel criticizing Avichay Adraee for his tweet to Saad Hariri and failed to find any!

Even if you check his twitter account now, you’ll see that Adraee went on and simply apologized to Saad Hariri for disturbing him!

Oh and did you notice how whoever took the screenshot above, supposedly to criticize Hariri for that tweet, is following Avichay Adraee? Hypocricy much?

Who comes up with such ideas?! I guess having your morning coffee in one of these mugs would be more like french kissing the politician on it!

Two days ago I went to the newly opened Beirut Souks, Beirut’s new largest shopping area, which was rebuilt by Solidere according to the original grid plan and location of the old souks that were destructed during the civil war while maintaining the landmarks and street names.

To my disappointment, the new Beirut Souks look nothing similar to the image I have in my mind for the old Beirut, and I’m pretty sure the new image defies the memories that old people who knew the old souks have in their mind.

Souk El Tawileh (via yabeyrouth.com)

In my opinion Solidere did a horrible job at preserving our heritage there as the new souks no longer reflect the real identity of Beirut, in fact the new souks have no identity at all! Nothing inside that big mall makes you feel like you’re in Beirut except for the “decorative” street plates of course. Be the judge yourself by looking at the photos I took below, it can be Dubai, Paris, or whatever other city!

Add to that the fact that the old souks were a destination to almost all society classes prior to the civil, while right now Beirut Souks is another destination for the snobbish people in Lebanon, I really cannot imagine a low income individual being able to spend a day there. Once again, Solidere probably had the Arab tourists in mind when they designed this place! Just like what they did when they were rebuilding the other parts of the central district.

To me, the Hamra street is a much more authentic Beiruti street than the new Souks of Beirut, though it is full of new restaurants and outlet stores but it has at least maintained its spirit throughout the years.

At the end, I will leave you with this comparative video between the old souks of Beirut and the new ones.

On the road to any area in Lebanon you will notice dozens of billboards promoting the different parties or candidates running for the election. And on my way to Saida yesterday I saw the following ones.

That’s Nabih Berri on the left. Barri is trying to be original and is NOT imitating Barack Obama’s photos. Anyway, Nabih Berri is promoting unity between the muslims and the christians. 3a aseis ino noss Haraket Amal hinneh masi7iyyeh I’ll take hat as Berri being funny.

I dunno who that guy is, but the slogan is strong. Minimum ykoun shababouna la youstahan bihi! They did great in May 7th last year, and just today they killed 4 army soldiers.

The Future Movement is reminding us once again that they have not forgot their loss. Nothing new here, they’ve been making their followers live in an ongoing funeral for 4 years now! Min wein baddon yinso??

… aw Orange Orange!

Ok I’m convinced, and the Lebanese Forces followers are all civilized, I’ll keep it in my mind!

Last but not least, Haraket Amal is presenting to us the upcoming generation who will soon be roaming the streets with their motorcycles hinneh w 2eibbina. The ones who are currently “3am y2ibbouwa” will eventually become “kaweidir haraket amal”.