Home Sweet Hamra

We don't technically live in Hamra (we live in Ain Mreisseh, an adjacent neighborhood). But Hamra is where we spend most of our time - shopping, socializing, and passing through it on our daily walk to work. Here are some pictures to give you a taste of the neighborhood.

A plaque outside our apartment building. We have no idea what it says.

In addition to shiny new construction, there are a lot of buildings with great architectural details that have seen better days.

Note the web of cables/power lines.

Bullet holes left over from the civil war?

The banyan tree landmark near our apartment. To the right is a gate to the American University of Beirut. To the left is Rue John F. Kennedy. There is no Rue Barack Obama... yet.

Bliss Street, which runs along the edge of the AUB campus. It has a college feel, and really wakes up after 10 pm.

The King of Pop lives on in Hamra.

In a town that loves coffee, Cafe Younes is second to none. It's a favorite spot for students, professors, and expats.

There is a lot of security in Hamra, largely because it's where many politicians live. Here is a Lebanese soldier who we convinced to pose for a picture. Note the machine gun on the shoulder and the cell phone in hand. The cell phone gets a lot of use.

In May 2008, a group of militias including Hezbollah made a "show of force" in Hamra. It was basically a raid meant to send a message to the politicians residing here, resulting in gun fights in the streets. According to our colleagues, Hezbollah's discipline was impressive - kids like the one I'm shaking hands with didn't perform as well. Our school was closed for three weeks in the process.

The police station on Bliss Street. Not a place we want to spend any time...

Here's a blurry picture of the Hariri Palace. Megan had to sneak this while walking by. It's the residence of the prime minister elect and former home of the assassinated PM Rafik Hariri (the new guy's father).