Security Zone: Beirut
Australia,
Did you know that you can’t take pictures in Beirut? The reason is that Lebanon is a high-security area. If you try to take a picture of a building that has an ex-minister in it, the cops will come and attempt to confiscate the camera. If you try to take a picture of garbage on the streets, the people who threw the garbage will chase you. If you try to take a picture of a tree, the dogs that piss on it will attempt to bite you.
I am talking first-hand experience, world. First-hand.
Yesterday night I was taking a picture of a mosque next to the Interior Ministry. I was actually focusing on the fluorescent yellow light on the green bush outside the mosque. No sooner had I kneeled down to take the picture than a cop whistled to me (yes, whistled like a street urchin). When I turned around, he called me over.
Being the law-abiding citizen that I am, I approached the cop who immediately asked for my camera. I told him I hadn’t taken a picture and he said, “You can’t take pictures here. It’s a security area.” In Lebanon, every neighborhood is a Manteka Amniya — a security zone.
When I told him I was only interested in taking a picture of the plant, the nice cop suggested he call his superiors and secure permission for me to take the photo. I said, “No tree is worth that kind of hassle,” and walked off.
It’s not the first time such things happen.
Beirut is a country ruled by cowards. Anyone with any kind of authority is afraid to get killed. Clerics, politicians, hookers, drug dealers, former politicians, lawyers, imams, belly-dancers, CEOs…anyone who thinks they have any high social status whatsoever…all these idiots have protection. And worse; wherever these idiots live automatically becomes Manteka Amniya — no photos please.
Let’s not forget that government’s buildings and homes of high-ranking officials and non-officials are off-limits to amateur photographers such as my self.
Fortunately, the worst type of damage I can cause to anyone or any building is by taking an ugly picture of it.
For many politicians, it’s not such a hard thing to do.
Did you know that you can’t take pictures in Beirut? The reason is that Lebanon is a high-security area. If you try to take a picture of a building that has an ex-minister in it, the cops will come and attempt to confiscate the camera. If you try to take a picture of garbage on the streets, the people who threw the garbage will chase you. If you try to take a picture of a tree, the dogs that piss on it will attempt to bite you.
I am talking first-hand experience, world. First-hand.
Yesterday night I was taking a picture of a mosque next to the Interior Ministry. I was actually focusing on the fluorescent yellow light on the green bush outside the mosque. No sooner had I kneeled down to take the picture than a cop whistled to me (yes, whistled like a street urchin). When I turned around, he called me over.
Being the law-abiding citizen that I am, I approached the cop who immediately asked for my camera. I told him I hadn’t taken a picture and he said, “You can’t take pictures here. It’s a security area.” In Lebanon, every neighborhood is a Manteka Amniya — a security zone.
When I told him I was only interested in taking a picture of the plant, the nice cop suggested he call his superiors and secure permission for me to take the photo. I said, “No tree is worth that kind of hassle,” and walked off.
It’s not the first time such things happen.
Beirut is a country ruled by cowards. Anyone with any kind of authority is afraid to get killed. Clerics, politicians, hookers, drug dealers, former politicians, lawyers, imams, belly-dancers, CEOs…anyone who thinks they have any high social status whatsoever…all these idiots have protection. And worse; wherever these idiots live automatically becomes Manteka Amniya — no photos please.
Let’s not forget that government’s buildings and homes of high-ranking officials and non-officials are off-limits to amateur photographers such as my self.
Fortunately, the worst type of damage I can cause to anyone or any building is by taking an ugly picture of it.
For many politicians, it’s not such a hard thing to do.
