Posted on 07/13/2006 1:00:45 PM PDT by NonValueAdded
Get real. Bombing the airport was a wake-up call to the Lebanese for letting Hezbollah run loose in the country and, especially, in South Beirut around the airport. I doubt that Hezbollah was going to parade Israeli prisoners through Beirut International airport on a flight to Iran.
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How on earth are you able to use the internet with all this going on? The electricity must still be intact. Or does your hotel have WI-FI?
Radio Shack is closed for the day.
Loose lips sink ships.
I know I am sounding paranoid......I know.
What's going on outside your window, Reb?
I'm sorry you found yourself in this situation. I was in your shoes for 15 years during the civil war in Lebanon, so I know what you're going through. In this situation a good attitude is the best thing. Don't think about your job, or where you'd rather be. You are where you are and some day this will make a great story to tell the kids and grandkids. You may want to record what is happening and what are your thoughts otherwise you'll forget everything days after you come back. If things get really hairy the Lebanese are very hospitable people and will help you as much as possible. In terms of getting out, there usually are 3 main ways: the airport (it's closed), the road to Damascus (it's being bombarded), and a ship to Cyprus (blockade?). Best of luck and just think that there are worse places to be stuck than in a 5 star hotel in beautiful Lebanon.
Can you get to the US Embassy?...I suggest you do so...
When everyone is trying to kill you, paranoia is just good sense.
You have FReepmail
No, but I did get a Turkey sub at Subway for dinner. There is a Subway, McD's, BK and even a Hardee's just down the street. Of course Kabob-ji (the local favorite for Lebanese kebabs) is much better.
The embassy is not omniscient, they know as much (and as little) as anyone else. No higher knowledge there.
If they've rented a place of refuge, that might be worth checking. The consular facilities are NOT the place to go because (a) a target of the baddies and (b) not enough room or facilities for evacuees.
If they think they need to evac, make sure you're on the list (if you can telephone, and if you're not already) or contact a warden if you can.
Every country in the world with a US embassy has one or more preplanned evac points, refuge points, and an evac plan.
But remember, the embassy staffers are stuck there just like you at the moment. You and they have an equal view of the situation on the ground (heck, your may even be better than the embassy's). Scary, huh?
good advice...
All of the nice hotels are now south of the old "green line."
In my experience trapped in an Arab country during a terrorist seige several years ago, the airport was shutdown and the international phone lines were cut. The outside world had no idea there was a problem for a couple of days - until the BBC started reporting on it and giving instructions from the F.O.
Our friend in Beirut does have working communications today. But if the phone lines are cut, a shortwave radio may be the only way to obtain information about evacuation.
Be cool. He's in the middle of a conflagration. It has to alter a person's mental state.
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