in my name

Summer has come and all noisy life is out in force with the sole mission of disturbing my repose. I am of a generation that once considered itself cool, today the kids call me '3amo', an Arabic word meaning uncle. Well, at least its not grandfather! Sitting on my ancient veranda in Mount Lebanon, I look out on to the dusty, hazy air hanging over Beirut and I thank God I don't have to be down there. Breathing is important, so is what we breathe, it is a good thing we don't actually see the air we breathe, well, most of the time we don't see the air we breathe. So, its always a good idea to avoid going anywhere the atmosphere has form and a colour coupled with a distinct odour, probably the first lesson soldiers are taught in case of chemical attack, 'move away from the yellowish/beige cloud of poison gas'! And yet, most Lebanese have no option but to visit this city for their work. I always wondered why so many businesses are located in Beirut. I und