ATVs stopped by Hezbollah in Jroud Zahle

I've just been told that Samir Geagea mentioned in today's press conference that some ATVs were stopped during a trip in Jroud Zahle. I've been meaning to post about this on this blog, but the personal life got in the way.

It is us that he was talking about. On Sunday 15 June 2008, I had a trip planned for my colleagues at work to go on ATV from Ouyoun el Simen to Zahleh through its deserted mountains, known as Jroud, have lunch in Zahle's Wadi Al Arayesh and come back. On our way, we were a convoy of about 10 ATVs, and in the middle of no where we were stopped by armed civil men, carrying AK47s. On the side there was a big white tent. On both sides, as far as 500 meters on each way, there was high deserted mountains. We were asked what we were doing there and where we were going. I gave the name of everyone with me, because I did not want them to stop every ATV and bother them. Luckily I gave them the right names, and all of them.
After they believed that we were only on an adventure trip and going to have lunch in Zahle, and been told never ever to pass by there again because it is a "military" region. They told us that we will not be bothered on our way back.

On our way back, we were stopped again, there was more armed men, and we can see them in far behind big rocks with their guns ready for any action. This time they wanted to search all males in the ATV convoy. The organizer of the trip insisted and persisted over and over again that we are a respected company and only here for adventure and he refused that any man amongst would be searched. After more than 20 minutes of negotiations, they told us that all males should show their IDs, and they compared it to the first list we had given them earlier that day. There was one missing name, but it was okay, because we told them that the guy stayed in Zahle. After they let us go, they were clear that this is a secure zone, a NO-ATV zone... and not to pass from there ever again.

We were just trying to have fun. That is the story.

Traffic Lights, Roads, Fuel.. this is just absurd

While driving today, I noticed how much Lebanese people do not look beyond their nose, it's an expression we use in here. Looking beyond their nose, meaning looking ahead in the future and not just taking decisions that would affect the current situation and current period.

However, the thing that doesn't make a lot of sense, is that Lebanese people are usually people who worry about the future a lot, because we do not have a lot of services offered to us by the government, retirement plans, security, hospitalization, free medication, etc... we do, but it isn't neither stable nor widespread. So we really have to rely on ourselves, when it comes to securing our future, the future of our family, the schools, the social security, the medication stuff, etc... In france for example, school tuitions are for free!

But no, when it comes to driving, if taking the left lane wins us two seconds while our direction is keep going straight, yet would block the road for those going to the left, knowing that the light for the straight direction is red, yet for those going to the left is green! But hey, we will win 2 seconds!

And finally, fuel prices are still flying... Shi bi tammin! I had this accident while not having enough money to fill my car's tank, because I was used to pay an amount, and now it is really much more... Funny day, I had to step down from my car and wash some cars, and fill gaz to other people! No, am kidding, I know the guy, and I brought him the rest of the money the next day.

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