Beirut

[Dumpsterchair]

I recently returned from a trip to Beirut. I stayed at the US embassy for the duration of my visit but all of my business was downtown so I was able to spend a good amount of time seeing the city from the inside of the Suburban. We even drove down the Green Line for a bit.

It is a beautiful city and I think they have done a great job rebuilding the downtown section of the city since the war. It is also incredibly trendy which surprised me until someone reminded me it was once called the “Paris of the Middle East.”

I had some great opportunities to discuss the war with folks who lived through it both on the Christian side and the Muslim side. I heard some very cool stories. Apparently the only section of downtown that survived unscathed was the street with all of the banks because the banks were paying off both sides to steer clear of the banker’s section.

One thing I found very interesting- there are no US Marines at the embassy and apparently it is the only such US embassy with no Devil Dogs. Does anyone know the reason for this? I found this odd, especially considering the Marine’s history there.

[Sltwtr1]

Is the Sheraton Hotel still there...near the water...? I had heard it is not..? Or maybe got bought by another company?

Thanks.

Sltwtr1

OUT

[Dumpsterchair]

Sltwtr1-

I am not sure. We actually scouted a few hotels by the water in downtown, one of them was the Intercontinental and there was one across the stree that I cannot remember the name. That might have been it.

[BKK]

If your satellite TV only lets you see Fashion TV Middle East, you will be surprised at all the hot looking girls they show at their Beruit parties. Large breasts seems to be the common theme.

About 5 years ago, before their latest big war, Beruit was actually starting to get back to it's old partying self. It seemed relatively peaceful, and was becoming again the place to go check out, and have fun. They were doing a lot of tourist advertising...Ski in the morning, go to the beach in the afternoon.

[DSSRonin]

There are quite a few embassies (Sudan, Laos, Gabon, and Benin to name a few) that do not have Marines. Regarding Beruit, I don't know all the specifics but it's likely due to a combination of factors like housing and layout of the chancery. Plus the the MSG program is stretched pretty thin right now.

[Marina]

One thing I found very interesting- there are no US Marines at the embassy and apparently it is the only such US embassy with no Devil Dogs. Does anyone know the reason for this? I found this odd, especially considering the Marine’s history there.

IMHO, the light footprint is DoS consideration of Lebanese sensitivity to perceptions of USG influence / interference given history you mention. That, and the fact that the GOL includes representatives of Hizballah, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization. No need to throw gas on the fire.

Plus physical space / housing limits like DSSRonin said. Hotels require some security and background checks, especially if you are an American citizen.

[Dumpsterchair]

DSSRonin and Marina-

Thanks for the info. The claim that it was the only embassy sans Marines sounded dubious.

BKK- I was very surprised to see that the town was advertised as a major party city for youngsters and yes, I saw a lot of ads with large busomed Lebanese women. I saw a lot of very attractive women in the downtown area which was a refreshing change from the burqas I normally encounter in this part of the world.

[tangodown]

Beirut is a place of consent contradictions. One minute everyone is getting along the next all out war is raging in the streets. There is great wealth, which is evident when you are out on the town at night. For a place where law is so loosely enforced, it always amazes me on how everything works and everyone get’s things done.

Beirut was recently named the Hottest Night Club scene in the world. For a place of only 3+ Million it has something for everyone. There is some every interesting thing’s to see and there is a wealth of historical site to visit.

It is a bummer that you did not get to see it from a visitor standpoint; it is a much cooler place to see when not attached to the embassy.

I often tell people it is just like Beverly Hills and Southern California minus the 33,000,000 million people. It has the same weather and atmosphere as Cali and all the beautiful women you can even imagine.

It is a place where the Arab world lets down their hair. I have certainly enjoyed my past 9 years there.

D