Beirut Warnings Or Dangers

never ever hire a car:)))
there are millions of cars on the way all time until night.. people drive as they r in F1..in istanbul we mention about huge traffic but from now i dont:)))
we took taxies to go somewhere.. u should bargain about how much to pay.. (no taximeter) and you must talk to someone about the average before bargain:)

Be careful of taking photographs thru out city of Beirut, especially where military are present, you may want to ask first. It is a wonderful place, but certain areas you want to refrain from photos, bombed areas, military present, etc.

We were in Beirut in March 2006 ---before the recent war.
Whilst walking along the Corniche (sea front promenade) I went to take a photo of the bay. A couple of soldiers were just in my shot.....they weren't happy! Beware!

For those males (kids, guys and men) who have heard so much about Lebanese girls, ladies and women....and those who have watched the beautiful singers, dancers and sex symbols on cable TV's world-wide. Yes, the Lebanese are a very hospitable people..generous, kind and helpful.

HOWEVER, if you would like to break a leg, limb or neck throughout your trip...DO come over with an attitude that you have come to a 'meet/meat' market...and you will get nothing but a WHOLE lot of disappointment and trouble.

In case you insist on this attitude, please check:
- Your embassy website - for immediate evacuation.
- My Warnings and Danger tip - for Hospital Numbers (just in case you're still alive)

OK..for those who are faint of heart DON'T Drive! Unless you've driven Cairo before :o)

For those who wish to live the Lebanese experience to the fullest...a few rules:

1) There are no rules lol..ok, so no, no it isn't THAT bad..but you have to understand that as a Lebanese ...each person has his/her OWN set of rules...so watch out :o)

2) Green does NOT necessarily mean go...Red does NOT necessarily means stop. Those traffic lights are mere suggestions. Before you go, check that your road is actually clear, and that you don't have a policeman standing in front of you calling out to the traffic on the other lane to go through.

3) Yes, you will see some people going two-way on a one-way street...and no, it does NOT mean that you win if you're going in the correct direction. If you're stuck in such a situation, please assess your opponent - Do they look subborn? aggressive? is it a taxi? If the answer is yes to any of the following...please, reverse your car and let them pass lol

4) Yes, people do talk on their mobiles while driving..its called multi-tasking. Of course, they can also be adjusting their mirror, make-up and radio..but we are a very advanced people so don't worry...just make sure you have insurance :o)

5) Do NOT under any circumstance try to BE Lebanese..it requires serious training, and you should NOT try this at home!

But seriously, new announcements about the application of driving rules and regulations have been announced recently (May 2006), and so, let's hope we live to see the day when driving will be safer in Lebanon.

On my 3.5 week, 3 country tour, I visited Beirut twice. It was my starting point and ending point. When I first arrived, the Solidere area was under heavy military presence and Place d'Etoile was completely shut down - no entry allowed.On my final day of my first visit I was told that all the government leaders were holding intense meetings, hence the closure and tight security. I think the day I moved on to Tripoli things may have opened back up. Two weeks later when I returned, the same closures had gone into effect. Apparently they were holding talks yet again. A lot of this has to do with Syria and the assassinations of government leaders since their departure of Lebanon. My guess is this might be something that will occur again, though it seems the government is trying to let things be open during the weekend.

In Beirut and the surrounding areas, modern medical care and medicines are widely available. Such facilities are not always available in outlying areas, although no location in the country is more than three hours from the capital. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services, and without such payment may deny service even in emergency cases.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Some Hospitals around Beirut:

BEIRUT:
American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC):
Address: Makdissi Street
Tel: 01-350000;1-340460;1-340740;1-374444;1-374374

Hotel Dieu Hospital:
Address: Adib Ishak Street, BVD. Alfred Naccache, Achrafieh, Beirut
Tel: 01-615300;01-615400

Saint George Hospital University medical center:
Address: Rmeil, Youssef Sursock street
Tel: 01-585700; 01-525700

Clinique Dr. Rizk Hospital:
Address: Zahar St., Achrafieh
Tel: 01-200800;01-328800

Makassed Hospital:
Address: Ouzai St., Tarik Al-Jadida
P.O. Box: 6301, Beirut
Tel: 01-646590/1/2/3/4/5/6

Najjar Hospital:
Address: Maamari Street, Ras Beirut
Tel: 01-340626; 03-669911

Sahel Hospital:
Address: Airport Ave., Dergham Street
Tel: 01-858333

Trad Hospital and Medical Center:
Address: Mexico Street, Fifth Floor, Clemenceau
Tel: 01-341740, 01-369494/5

Fuad Khoury Hospital:
Address: Maktabi Bldg., Abdelaziz Street, Hamra, Beirut
Tel: 01-742140/3/7, 01-348811

Barbir Hospital:
Address: Fuad The First Street, Barbir
Tel: 01-652915/6/7/8; 01-652955

Finding particular places can be daunting in Beirut. Streets are not clearly marked here. Even when marked, signs many times will simply note the sector and street number and not necessarily the precise street name. If you are looking for a particular place, you might want to give yourself a little extra time to wander, search, and hopefully find.