There and Back.
Him: How was
Me: slow. Everything runs on slow-motion.
Him: Yeah I heard.
Me: it’s ridiculous. You couldn’t get anything done if you didn’t calculate at least two to three hours of your day.
Him: A lot of traffic?
Me: A lot of everything… and mostly, of nothing.
----
I used to think that the malaise that overtook me, every time I came back home was related to change. I, by default, did not like anything that has to do with change, and I hated the natural fact that nothing remained as I once knew it; hence my everlasting nostalgia.
I think I was missing the point. It actually appears that no matter how long you stayed away, everything in
My world, as I know it, comes to a total and sudden halt every time I fly back home.
I flatline...
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
And when I wake up, it is already time to go.
I have been in
I left
A lot of Green has been sprouting nonchalantly here and there all over the city, which is something I really appreciated.
more details will come...
Labels: Beirut, ramblings, the flaneur
posted by _z. @ 12:53 AM
15 Comments:
_z.,
everytime I went back to Lebanon, I felt things haven't changed. But this time I feel that things have changed, and so have I.
As soon as I got there, I started complaining about how chaotic things are and how in London things are better... London this, London that. But as a matter of fact, no matter how much I comlained, deep down inside of me I was thrilled to be back home...
I was very happy too. don't get me wrong. and I never complain about chaos.. I love chaos, I miss it so much sometimes...
it's just that slow motion was very evident this time.
I didn't do much anyway. most of my time was spent with dad at the hospital. so I stayed indoors most of the time.
We've been in this shitty situation since 2005 but this year with the presidential elections, it is the worst time ever. People are putting on hold EVERYTHING, literally EVEYTHING, and awaiting the savior!! I am not sure if this explains the slow motion you are talking about _z.
Hope your dad is feeling better.
The presidential elections among many other things leb girl. Politics, I think, is the catalyst. The tentacles extend long and deep.
it was very annoying this time.
dad is stable. thank you.
welcome back, glad you missed today's action :)
wlek ahla b ha taleh ahlaaaaaaa...
nawaret ya helou.
sad and gloomy !!!!!
really sorry to say this, but this exactly how i found beirut the last time i was there (2 month ago) and i got upset, because the nice, dreamy image i had in my head got confronted to the bitter reality !!!!
i wish i still have the old image
laila_
thanks... I am glad I did too.
nado_
merci.
nadyn_
unfortunately, the nice dreamy image exists only in your head!
nostalgic hallucination.
all the discomfort and impatience aside, wasn't it nice to just step out of the rat race and just breathe? or did the slow pace overwhelm.
good to hear your dad has stabalised : )
Oh it was fine.
But I mean you couldn't just relax and breathe when you're anxious and you wand to get things done. you're there for a few days and there are certain things that you need to do... time is limited.
_z.,
I came in here late so I just read about your dad. Glad to know he's better now :)
thank you posh... you're never too late... at least you are better than I am at keeping up...
thanx.
Awwal shi, wishing your dad a fast and healthy recovery.
Teneh shi, welcome back and thanks for posting. I missed you :)
Telit shi, shou wassalak la ta7t el camion? Was this picture taken in one of the traffic jams you found yourself stuck in?
Ba3den, is it because you wanted things to happen fast this time that you felt the slow motion? I mean, is the country not like this even when we're there for fun with no need to deal with time sensitive issues? Just wondering outloud. I guess I will find out for myself very soon.... bass mazbout, you did say that "This city freezes time".
It's all interesting though. We don't feel the long distances and fast-paced lifestyle that we live here (outside Lebanon) until we jump into something different :)
we are so much alike!
coco_
thanks, missed you too. Yes this picture was taken on one of those crazy raining days we had, and stuck in traffic...
I think the city was exceptionally slow this Christmas. at least this time it was very obvious.
mirvat_
I know we are... I have always said it.
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