On the Damascus Road
Whoever wants to enter or exit the mountain must use this road. Its importance and symbolism was such that it actually became a no-man's land that divided the country and capital during the war.
No one could have imagined what was happening inside a big villa situated on the road that goes down to Beirut, a little bit after the town of Aley. People say a sculptress who passed away during the war, with no children or heirs to take over the house used to live there. It was ultimately taken over by a militia and used as an interrogation center. On the inside walls, large inscriptions are painted in red:
(provide blood in war)
(exaltation through physical effort)
(the example to follow)
(hope)
Just as incredible is the life around the building. Billboards advertise Kentucky Fried Chicken, furniture stores, and soft drinks. There's a constant flow of cars going up and down the hillside.
On an outdoor staircase, the Syrian and Palestinian flags are painted side by side. The Palestinian has been crossed out. All you need to do to understand the alliances and misalliances at any given time in the recent history of this country is look at the walls. |
