I am supposed to go to Beirut August 29-Sept. 1, but it seems the security situation is rapidly deteriorating at the Syrian conflict spills over the border. The other day and Air France flight diverted to DAMASCUS! because of concerns over landing at BEY. Several gulf states have pulled all their citizens, and the state department seems to be warning heavily against visiting the region.
I am booked to stay at Le Gray and would be going to work on an article and party with some friends. Is it a bad time to go? Another concern is that I have a tight connection schedule, so if the airport road is closed by protests again and I miss my flight, even one day off the schedule would be a huge problem.
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Originally Posted by BEYFlyer
Come on over and party...
That's my plan. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
GetSetJetSet, in my opinion, worth whatever you think it is, there is clearly some significant risk in visiting Beirut right now. But then again, there is some significant risk in driving a car, riding a bike and swimming. There is also a significant risk of missing out on great life experiences you might have had in your finite time in this world.
It all comes down to how much you think you would enjoy this trip, and how willing you are to risk being caught in a nasty situation.
I have very tight connections to get onwards to Cairo, then to S.America and back to NYC. Couldn't chance an airport closure messing up my itinerary. Will be back next summer.
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Was in BEY last week ago and the situation was fine. Just don't go to Tripoli and the North (or South for that matter). If you stay in the BEY area or suburbs, you should be fine. The road to the airport was blocked by protesters the day after I left but they re-opened it a few hours after.
Why is that? You think this Syrian conflict is going to spill over/drag on for a while?
As sammyindc pointed out, the "conflict" in Syria has been going on for some time now. And if you are going to be put off by a road closure, then there is no chance you will be visiting anytime soon The airport road has been closed over a dozen times this year alone to protest everything from rising fuel costs to chronic electricity shortages. It's more of an inconvenience than a real threat.
Relative to what's been going on in the region since the start of the "Arab Spring" last year, Lebanon has been pretty safe. But given the area we are in and the proximity to some other countries, there will always be a question mark over this country and incidents around us will always have a ripple effect and cause some reaction over here.
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Originally Posted by BEYFlyer
As sammyindc pointed out, the "conflict" in Syria has been going on for some time now. And if you are going to be put off by a road closure, then there is no chance you will be visiting anytime soon The airport road has been closed over a dozen times this year alone to protest everything from rising fuel costs to chronic electricity shortages. It's more of an inconvenience than a real threat.
Relative to what's been going on in the region since the start of the "Arab Spring" last year, Lebanon has been pretty safe. But given the area we are in and the proximity to some other countries, there will always be a question mark over this country and incidents around us will always have a ripple effect and cause some reaction over here.
Great summation. I think a lot of the fear about visiting Beirut for some is that certain kinds of threats to life and limb are more horrifying to think about than others. Drowning in a backyard pool or a hot tub might be a tragic death, but being killed by a shark attack is what so many people think about (even though the former happens frequently while the latter is a very rare occurrence).
My view is that dead is dead and maimed is maimed. It can happen any time you're in a car or riding a bike. Or when you walk down the street.
I'm going to Beirut to run the marathon in November and I plan on having a blast (the non-lethal kind). I'm even planning on engaging Lebanese in conversation. I'm a thrill-seeker, you see.
dhuey, I salute you; the marathon is no walk in the park
I just dropped off my American friends at the airport. They were here for a week. Yes, they were a bit "apprehensive" about their visit initially, but last night they told me they wish they could have extended their stay. I know they will be back soon and I am glad they came out to visit.
PS. If there is anything I can help you with, please do let me know.
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Originally Posted by BEYFlyer
dhuey, I salute you; the marathon is no walk in the park
I just dropped off my American friends at the airport. They were here for a week. Yes, they were a bit "apprehensive" about their visit initially, but last night they told me they wish they could have extended their stay. I know they will be back soon and I am glad they came out to visit.
PS. If there is anything I can help you with, please do let me know.
Thanks so much. I'm a little apprehensive about the race, as I'm badly undertrained. No apprehension about Beirut. I can't wait to go. I just got Samir Rassir's Beirut.
As I mentioned, it was more fear of an airport closure than fear of death, since, this was part of a UA award ticket, which connected (with less than 12 hr window) to an SQ award, connecting to two separate revenue tickets, finally to a BA award. So....given the nature of my travel, an airport closure for even one day (if it was the wrong day) would have completely maimed my travel plans. Wasn't worth chancing it. I'll just come next summer on a more flexible itinerary, looking forward to it. In Egypt now, which I also feel has been oversold as "dangerous" by the western media, while it is in fact perfectly safe.
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My sympathies to the people of Beirut. Today's disgusting car bombing is a harsh reminder of the past. Still, the Lebanese are strong, and I hope very much that they can show the world how despite the presence of many callous extremists within the country, those of very different ethnicities, faiths and political affiliations can live together in peace.
I will be there in a few weeks to run the Beirut Marathon. The hell with the pricks who do this sort of thing.
The airport road has been closed over a dozen times this year alone to protest everything from rising fuel costs to chronic electricity shortages. It's more of an inconvenience than a real threat.
