Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Life in Lebanon

I'm currently in Paris, France en-route to my next assignment in Vancouver, Canada. I've spent the last eight days in Lebanon--in and out of various cities and villages. I went to Lebanon on various assignments--one of which was to train young photographers on how to work in hostile environments. But in a world of contradictions, Lebanon is both beautiful and fragile, yet full of adventure at every turn of the corner. Men dressed in full military fatigue and in the rural parts of the country, M-16 machine guns guard every intersection--but as you'll see below, it's life as normal in one of the most beautiful cities in the Middle East. Instead of showing you the stereotypical image you're used to seeing from a country that has suffered through twenty years of cival war, I'd like to show you the opposite. People here are happy, they live normal lives, and everyday is a new day for them.


Life has been hectic as of late. I haven't had much time to sleep, eat, nor organize my life. I'll be in Vancouver for five days to film the arrival of the Olympic Flame on Canadian soil as they prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Hopefully, I'll be able to post again soon. In the meantime, I hope all is well. Please take care of yourselves...and each other.

8 comments:

The Rambler said...

Great pics Ron! I loved the pics with the guy with the cookie? on his head smiling and the other guy with his thumb up and his tomatoes!

Alway great.

Be safe.

Manju said...

the second one is such a funny little pic :)

Wander to the Wayside said...

What strikes me about the photos is the color - it's so bright and cheerful! Maybe that's what keeps their spirits going! And at some point I would think you'd just have to be so grateful and joyful to have lived to see a new day and want to make the most of it?

I'm curious...how do you train young photographers on how to work in hostile environments? What kind of things do you tell them?

canadasue said...

I hope to visit Lebanon some day!

Vanna said...

I love the pictures bro! Keep up the the great work.

Deboshree said...

Beautiful pictures Ron!!
Hope your venture in Lebanon was fruitful.
Have a safe journey my friend.

Love
Deboshree

TheChicGeek said...

Love the guy with the pitas on his head :) Great photos!

It's amazing how strong the human spirit is. Even when living in war-torn areas, they rise above. I think when you said, "everyday is a new day for them," that really says it all, doesn't it.
Live in gratitude and appreciation for the moment you are in.

Stay Safe 007 :D
xxO
Kelly

John said...

I'm glad you made the right choice, bro.

We can either choose to paint a beautiful picture of life, or paint the ugly side of life.

And you chose the better one :)