Posted on 07/22/2006 1:52:19 PM PDT by rebel_yell2
Freerepublic Exclusive: Photo Diary
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In port prior to boarding --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scenes from the muster point where evacuees check in and board buses to the Orient Queen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glimpse of Safety --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the bus --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In port prior to boarding --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buses arrive at Beirut port, Orient Queen is in the background.
British helicopters arrive, land, take on evacuees from buses, and then depart.
Lebanese soldier providing port security lights up a cigarette.
Lebanese navy (both ships!) highlighted against the newly rebuilt downtown (old green line).
Unidentified warship escort races after Swedish-chartered ferry
Swedish-chartered ferry leaves Beirut port for Cyprus.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safely embarked on our "cruise" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unidentified warship waits to escort another ferry to Cyprus.
Smoke rises from an Israeli attack against South Beirut target as Orient Queen leaves port.
Chinook turns above an unidentified warship.
Two Chinook Helicopters evacuate foreigners against the Beirut skyline.
USS Gonzales escorts the Orient Queen to safety.
In photo "Chinook hovers above an unidentified warship" the background city looks as if it is built into hillside, while in other photos it is looking as if on flat ground. Did you make that "hover" photo from another helicopter or maybe high deck of a ship?
Sounds more like this.
http://www.26nc.org/History/RebelYell/main.htm
WOW....thanks rebel....we all feel apart of this, thanks for sharing with us...glad you are home..
Yes, no more than a mile or two from the port. I said to someone onboard that is was a slap in the face and they responded it was more a slap on the fanny. Giddyup and get outta here!
I just went back and read your posts over the past few days. Thanks for the added perspective on the situation.
I've been arguing with a fellow conservative that suggested that since many Lebanese supported Hezbollah, then the Americans there probably did to and the US shouldn't go to great lengths to extract them (more of a collateral damage argument for "accepting" that other locals are openly engaged in terrorist plotting/activities).
I suspect a lot of people with these opinions are frustrated by past situations where being concerned about civilian casualties meant not doing anything at all.
Anyways, thanks for the first hand reporting.
Glad you are safe. Good pics!
LOL, I bet everyone was just a little giddy.
Were you worried about your safety anytime (before boarding the ship)?
You're not referring to the Lebanese "Americans," are you? ;-D
Ya know, when I posted that I thought, "leadpenny, you've been around here long enought to know someone will critique your idea of a Rebel Yell."
lol
I was not "visiting."
I was not "vacationing."
This was my fifth trip to Beirut and what happened was stunning to everyone with whom I work, both in Washington, DC and Beirut, contrary to what some Freepers would have you believe.
Beirut sits on a mini-peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean, with most of the city facing north out over the water. Looking south from the ship it is fairly flat. Looking east from the ship, there is a mountain range rising just behind the city. The two photos have different backgrounds, but both were shot from the Orient Queen as it sailed west towards Cyprus.
bookmark
jeze wouldn't want to miss your homecoming.
I believe she wants to start a RY2 fan club.
Shot with an Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom 4-megapixel digital camera. The 10X optical zoom let me "reach out and touch" some of the subjects.
LOL! Don't take it as a critique. Think of it as a learning experience!
We were mostly worried about YOU.
Glad you are out.
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