Ashrafieh - Stairs from Fassouh to Azarieh

Ashrafieh

Stairs known as Azarieh Stairs - one of many Ashrafieh stairs

It's a Full Moon This Morning - Beirut

7 am in the morning. I am driving above Bourj Hammoud, on Yerevan Bridge. Suddenly, there is traffic jam, surprisingly it is not so bad. we are moving, but slowly.
The sky is blue with stunning cold autumn day colors and a full moon just in front me. I can feel the sun coming out from behind as it lights the clouds.
When I got close to the tunnel, the moon disappeared behind the hill, only to appear again, once I got to the end of Charles Helou Avenue; while crossing the Ring. Only this time, 10 minutes more into the day, the sun is shining, covering all the facades with its soft light. the moon standing there a bit shyer, romantically fading behind the Murr building.

3 months after the rePLACE Beirut workshop

 During the rePLACE Beirut project, I took some close-up portraits of the political candidates posters of Rmeil and Geitawi; the Blues Collection.
At the same time, I wanted to frame the faces for the public to "see" them because they are becoming unseen decor from the street - until they fade out completely. So I Framed, with tape, a series of portraits, a bit more then a couple of months later, this is the result.

Turkey says: Seize the moment (oh, and... forget the past!)

Poster pasted on a billboard advertising for Tourism in Turkey says: "Beware of Turkey, the new Ottoman face"

For some time now, we can travel to Turkey without a Visa, quite a privilege for the Lebanese passport owners. I went to Turkey back in 2003 when I needed to get a visa, but I know many who went to Turkey lately and enjoyed it, specifically because it is "convenient holidays" : no visa, close by, affordable. But, not everyone is happy about it. Indeed, yesterday I spotted a poster that says "Beware of Turkey, the new Ottoman face" posted on the Billboards.

The Lebanese emotions for this neighboring country vary between two poles : Anger from the Ottoman period and from the state not recognizing the (obvious) Armenian genocide and ...Delight watching the Turkish Stars of the soap opera shows.

I'd say take a holiday; turn off the TV.