More War Diaries :

The turth is that I was not writing my diaries when I was in Lebanon. I am writing now what I remember. I am sure I will never forget those days just as I cannot forget the war memories I recall since I was born.

It is Monday.

Monday July 17th 2006

Monday. The first day in the week was another day in this non-ending week. We did not go to Beirut for work or university. I needed to start getting myself ready. I suggested that we go to a nearby village to get myself a new pair of eyeglasses. It was a good idea to break the routine. After all, the road to Jib-Janneen was safe. Or was it?

We arrived safely to the shop. I chose a pair of eyeglasses and we sat in the shop chatting with the woman who works there. She said there were many refugees now in the village school.
At the optician's shop an old friend of Dad's came in. I did not know the guy but he said salam to Daddy and his wife kissed mummy and shook hands with me. Dad asked him about his family and how is everybody. The guy said they were all fine. Ahmad went to Beirut to get his family's passports and he's coming back.
Beirut! That's where all my stuff is! Dad call this man please.

And so it was...
May, my oldest sister, packed what she could identify as my necessary belongings and sent the bag (and my tennis racket) with Dr. Ahmad -whom I recalled by then. He teaches at AUB and my sisters know him well.

Of course I was thankful for rescuing anything from the city of ghosts. But of course some of my things are still stuck there till this very moment.

To Be Continued - - -