[ad_1]
When the plane begins to descend to approach the ground, the first thing you see is green. Endless green. Then all of a sudden small sparks resembling water droplets appear on the dewy grass after a light, refreshing rain. The extended green continues “as far as the eye can see”.
The plane continues to descend, and you will see houses scattered or gathered, with their different colors and shapes, among the trees and green spaces as well. Getting closer and discovering that those sparks were nothing but the windows of colorful cars lined up along the intersecting streets.
This is Monreale seen from above.
I traveled anticipating travel concerns due to complex health and administrative measures at airports due to the well-mentioned Covid. But the flight, reception and organization were comfortable at all airports. Maybe more than normal time travel. Maybe they got used to the Covid procedures and made them more organized and efficient. In addition to the coincidence that there is no congestion at the airports. And maybe luck.
Like every time I arrive in Montreal, I feel safe inside my head everywhere in my being. In Montreal, you can be sure that you are not being bullied or underperforming at work. There you will have your rights as a human being under the auspices of a just law and a judiciary that is free from threats like Wafiq Safa (Hezbollah’s security official). And in the hands of friendly employees who know that their job is to welcome you and facilitate your stay.
It’s time. Here, I won’t live worrying about waiting for tomorrow and what it will bring us, or cutting off the electricity and gasoline in the car, or the newsletters and ringing of a phone that brings you a bad surprise. You will plan your days as you wish and you will carry out your programs without a hitch.
I waited until Montreal seemed more affected by the Covid pandemic. The stores were closed due to the stonewall caused by the pandemic and the resulting bankruptcies. And I expected less traffic on the streets. Of course, many stores have closed, but it seems that new ones have started to appear in their place, as well as an active building movement.
Monreal seemed to have regained his breath and his physical form. Sainte-Catherine Street, the main avenue that crosses Montreal and crosses downtown, is very lively and bustling with life by day and especially at night. Its part, which crosses the city center every year, is closed to cars and turns into a pedestrian area from May to the end of September. It spreads out groups of people doing a variety of activities along its length. Art galleries in certain corners for various professionals or art lovers. groups play for free and sometimes the municipality pays for a few evening shows in a square near the Berry-Occam metro station; Or films and exhibitions of drawing and various arts. Playing, dancing and singing are on the menu, especially at night, in the Place des arts district, where there is a museum and a theater. It is an area characterized by theatrical performances and works of art, bookstores, cafes, restaurants and shopping centers. Near Galerie La Baie, a miniature of the famous Galerie Lafayette, there are also various activities, in addition to stalls selling various types of goods day and night.
This year I attended some of the jazz festival concerts that were delayed due to the pandemic. It was held annually between June and July, but its organizers made sure to hold it from September 15 to 19, even at a minimum. Maybe as a rehearsal in preparation for next year. The last festival two years ago featured 400 international jazz groups from all over the world, making it the largest jazz festival. Preventive measures this year have hampered the reception and crowding of the usual large crowds.
This vitality and joy in the Canadian streets makes me sad and sorry for the enormity of what has happened in Beirut in particular and other places in Lebanon. From Hamra Street, which turned against itself and became a stranger, to Mar Mikhael, which was destroyed by the explosion of August 4, to Jounieh, Kaslik, Al-Zouk, Jbeil, Batroun, Tripoli, Baalbek, Beiteddine, Tire and all the other places full of festivals and joy that affected the villages scattered in other regions.
All have been wiped out by a pandemic from an authority that has committed crimes against its people and its country. Lebanon, which was the center of cultural and artistic activities with its own capabilities, despite the lack of state sponsorship or absence. It has become a cemetery of talents and activities of all kinds and forms. Despite the insistence of some to do the impossible to save certain activities of the heart of darkness into which they have plunged us.
Their latest achievement after the formation of the new government, whose only apparent function so far seems to be to stop the incursion into the Corridors of Hell; The House of Representatives confidence session was delayed by 40 minutes due to the power outage !! Until a tank arrives which has been honored by the company “Amanah”, to which the Iranian side has entrusted the task of selling Iranian oil, with the aim of possibly saving its divine part from bankruptcy !! The owners of the tank were keen to document the Al-Karm Al-Hatemi incident in a video, confirming the violation of sovereignty. Like a video of the nuns of an orphanage in the Bekaa, in which they thank the master and his party for their generosity, an affirmation of submission. The only development here is that the subject of praise has become fuel oil instead of the sacred shoe.
Thus made eastern Switzerland a ball thrown by the feet of the proud Persians.
The ruling party has manipulated the citizens, their interests and their feelings, with acrobatics that have overtaken the most powerful regimes which have used lies and propaganda and diverted people from their scandalous practices. They smuggle our oil, which has depleted the treasury, to trade illegally smuggled Iranian oil, to sell it at a slightly lower price !! A great promotion, and as the saying goes: “He who anoints him is little!”
The exploits of our powers have no limits. Instead of being ashamed of themselves and supporting basic institutions like hospitals, retirement homes and generators, which they have established by law as an alternative to Lebanon’s electricity, or public transport cars, they allowed themselves to buy diesel “exceptionally” at a price of 8,000 pounds to the dollar !! For the following institutions: the Presidential Palace, the Council of Ministers, the House of Representatives, in addition to the water institutions in Lebanon, the Ogero Authority and the companies Alfa and Touch.
And if it is understandable to support water institutions, Ogero and mobile phone companies; What is the justification for excluding ourselves from the hell they have led us to? Do the official palaces that they have turned into homes for themselves, their families and supporters, deserve the support of hospitals, for example?
You move away from your country, but you take it with you. Every time I walk through the streets of Montreal, which are dotted with tables and chairs in various squares, and children’s gardens filled with all kinds of games; I think of the Lebanese child deprived of
School, where toys, chocolate bars and even milk are beyond her reach.
The latest achievement of the Municipality of Montreal is the distribution of clean water machines, like those in hospitals, in different parts of the streets. Which reminded me of what was called in the old golden age: “the way”. Do you remember the drinking water taps placed on street corners to quench the thirst of passers-by on the roads?
It’s from the Ottoman era !!
But by then, the Minister of Social Affairs keeps us away. His plan is to take us back to the time of barter.
May God have mercy on Al-Za’ni and his word: May God grant you, O Beirut and O Tran Beirut …
Source link
