A million people in one place and no one got hurt. Wow. Isn't the Lebanese flag cool? Simple, elegant, outdoorsy. I like it.
School closed early on Monday so that families could attend the demonstration and afternoon busses could avoid the traffic. I took the opportunity to eat a leisurely lunch and watch the action on TV. Seriously, I know it's historic but CNN and Al Jazeera provided much better views and more thorough commentary than I would have gotten from squeezing myself through a throng of people. Everyone I know, American and Lebanese, walked downtown for it so I did feel a little left out, but when I look back all that will matter is that I actually lived in Lebanon when it happened.
So far the demonstrations have been tranquil. I don't expect that to change. The future looks bright and both sides agree on a unified, peaceful Lebanon. Now if we can hold some fair elections and convince people to risk their lives to run for office maybe the country can progress.
The divide seems pretty obvious to an outsider like me. Loud, religious zealots on one side who want everyone to be like them and articulate, well-adjusted citizens on the other who want their country back. Not unlike America. (Rim-shot, please) Fortunately, Beirut is full of well adjusted citizens. The religious zealots are found in the south and the fertile Bekka valley in the central part of the country. But the coastal urban area is home to the educated, tolerant folk. Not unlike America (another rim-shot).
Today, the day after the demonstration, kids still wore face paint.
Lebanese flags on their cheeks. Some wore banners over their shoulders.
Some wore pins and ribbons commemorating Hariri. Everyone is smiling and happy. I think showing their national pride brings out the best in the Lebanese. Most are optimistic. I can sense a shift in mood. Let's hope it lasts.