Exploring Beirut: The Beauty and Sorrow of Lebanon

Before stepping into Beirut, you may have had some misconceptions about Lebanon, thinking it was full of danger. However, in reality, this coastal city shows its bustling and peaceful side during the day. Although some buildings in the city are still damaged by war, some have been rebuilt, and some still retain historical traces and bullet holes, Beirut still exudes a unique charm. Walking on the streets of Beirut, we did not encounter any danger. Except for a small episode - because we accidentally took pictures of residential buildings and were mistaken for spies, after a false alarm, everything seemed so ordinary. That day, we were also lucky to swim at Pigeon Rock and watch the sunset in the sea, the scenery was intoxicating. At present, southern Lebanon and the area near the Baalbek Temple have indeed been affected by the war, but life in other areas is still normal. However, the problems facing this country cannot be ignored. High prices, low wages, government bankruptcy, and even the roads and tunnels in the city lack basic lighting facilities, and people have to bear high electricity bills. In such an environment, the social division in Lebanon is becoming more and more obvious: some people are living in a dream, enjoying the quiet time in cafes; while others are leaving their homes, smoking on the streets to seek a moment of comfort. During our days in Beirut, we heard two touching stories. One is about Chad's loss of $30,000 in the 2019 Lebanese bank bankruptcy; the other is a local from the south, who fell into despair because his son died in the war, bought a bottle of whiskey with the little money he had left, came to the seaside to watch the sunset, and shared his sadness with us. Beirut, a city that carries beauty and sorrow, is quietly telling the story of Lebanon. It has both beautiful scenery that makes people linger and suffering that makes people feel sympathy. I hope that in the future, Lebanon can get out of the predicament and usher in a more peaceful and prosperous tomorrow.