Fashion victims confined in Zahle

spikes...

... and needles.

 2012 was the year of the Spike in Lebanon.

Have you visited Aley Lately?

Aley used to be The Summer Destination of the lebanese, and the people coming for a breeze of fresh air, from the Gulf, before the Lebanese civil war.
After the war, the city regained some of its past glories but, sadly, the last two years have been pretty slow for its residents who depend on tourists. It is as if it is no more fashionable to go to Aley anymore, tourists prefer staying in Beirut, where the malls are plenty, or going to Broumana and Faraya, judged as trendier places nowadays. I pass by Aley often as I cross it to get to my home village, Rejmeh. It is only 35 minutes away from Beirut and other then the loud cafés and restaurants playing arabic music, the scenery and village are pretty nice.

Hotel Aley El Kabir

Hotel Aley Al Kabir - another angle.

Street views of Aley

Street views of Aley

Street views of Aley

interesting & beautiful abandoned house

An old house in the center of Aley main street

Newer (any idea of architect? time built?) interesting facades 

FAUCHON in Beirut

Posh French Fauchon in Gemmayzé (image source)

Fauchon, French gourmet food company, opened in Beirut, at the beginning of Gemmayzé street... But guess what, there is also Fauchon [فوشون] in Geitawi since the 70s

Small neighborhood Lebanese Fauchon. Beautiful calligraphy - arabic old hand written signage

Tayyouneh Roundabout - Hope inspiring Colors...

Sunlight reflecting on war-torn building and open sky at Tayyouneh Roundabout

Hope inspiring Sky and Peaceful Sunset Colors or War Nostagia effect? 

Also on the green line, Beirut is set to have a war museum at Sodeco, The Barakat building or Beit Beirut is being restored to house the Museum and a cultural center.