Posted on 07/13/2006 1:00:45 PM PDT by NonValueAdded
From Tourists Streaming into Syria from Lebanon, post 47:
To: cinives
You all might find this damn funny, but my sorry ass is marooned in Beirut, where I have been working for the IMF. If anybody has any helpful suggestions on how I can get out of this war zone, I would be most grateful. Right now, the road to Syria is the only way out of Lebanon for anyone, including U.S. citizens, and the Israelis are bombing that road. I am NOT happy with the Israelis right now. I understand their concerns about their kidnapped soldiers but bombing the Beirut Airport was not going to help them in any way.
47 posted on 07/13/2006 3:47:47 PM EDT by rebel_yell2
I'm well. Hubby is doing well. Thanks for asking. I'm currently between jobs right now and frantically looking for a new opportunity. (I do executive assistant work.)
There are rumors (only rumors) that the hub may go back to Iraq again. He's a frontline "Combat MP" and, personally, I think that if things continue to escalate with Israel-Lebanon-Syria-Iran, etc., he'll be called up. Not necessarily for Iraq, but maybe somewhere in the middleast.
No matter. There is no indication that an evacuation is being organized, and most Americans living there probably wouldn't evacuate anyway. Good luck to you.
Steady as she goes.
The new thing is that air raids are a few hundred meters from the Syrian border. S-E of Rayack airfield which can be senn on most maps.
Some of us might be able to relate a little. ;-)
Prayers up for your safety.
Yeah, because none of us have ever lived/traveled abroad. Stay safe, but your response to well wishes is sad and ungrateful. You have no idea what others here have done and experienced, and what we can only dream of. Sheesh. Thanks for sharing, and grab a bottle of humility while you're at it.
Yikes, that's about 30 miles east of Beirut? Thank you for the update. Stay safe!
Tell reb yell to keep his head down and stay safe.... and find solid objects to hid behind....
Hey Chica,
I'm off to bed now (it's 0030 here).
Catch you later and stay safe!
We just heard from someone in Beirut. They're saying it's calm there right now.
...surrender to the Israelis and ask to be taken to Jerusalem?
Hunkering down in a Muslim country doesn't sound to me like a particularly safe option. For that matter, spending time working in a Muslim country sounds hazardous to one's health as well.
Plan A: Ferry to (Greek corner of) Cyprus, connection to Crete, connection to Santorini, buy wine, watch sunsets.
Plan B: Ferry to Turkey, bus to Ephesus, ferry to Samos, buy Ouzo, watch sunsets.
Plan C: Listen to EVERYTHING the State Dept. guys say, trust our government officials and know that they are really concerned about your safety. While you're at it, learn why religion is such a popular sport there in God's Monkey House.
(Dude, find a boat.)
Go north through Syria and then on to Turkey.
UPDATE: It is just after noon here in Beirut. The scene is surreal. Traffic is light but people are still going about their business. I am trying to keep a low profile. The Israelis have continued to target infrastructure throughout the country, including the main road to Damascus. The Israeli navy continues to blockade sea lanes. So there is no safe way out and I wait. The State Department is working on something for us. I hope to be out of here soon, as an Israeli invasion of Lebanon looks imminent. Thanks for your support and prayers.
I hope you're out soon, too. Prayers continue.
Aw, you just don't know how much fun you're missing!
;-)
In Lebanon, 40% of the population is Christian, and it was designed as the Christian country in the Arab region. So, it´s definitely better than being in Syria.
"most Americans living there probably wouldn't evacuate anyway."
Ironically, evacs don't happen until the worst is long over.
" Plan B: Ferry to Turkey, bus to Ephesus, ferry to Samos, buy Ouzo, watch sunsets."
Not a good idea. Sit tight. Wait it out.
"Plan C: Listen to EVERYTHING the State Dept. guys say, trust our government officials"
Also not a good idea. With the exception of evac plans and place of refuge, they have no better information than anyone else. In fact my experience is that they can be (are, and have been) 180 degrees wrong. Local knowledge from people who have been through this before is 10x more useful.
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