Michael J. Totten: Postcards from the North

January 18, 2007

Postcards from the North

While I’m working on my next article, about the devastated suburbs south of Beirut, here are some postcards from Nothern Lebanon where things are a little more peaceful.

Lebanon isn’t all-war-all-the-time. If it were, I would not want to spend so much of my time there.

Cedars of Lebanon

Bcherre, Mount Lebanon, birthplace of Khalil Gibran

Winter sun rays over Mount Lebanon

Top of the Qadisha Valley

Woman carved into the side of a cedar tree

Jesus carved into the side of a cedar tree

The Qadisha Valley at twilight

The coastline from Byblos looking south toward Beirut

Previous Lebanon photo galleries here and here.

All photos copyright Michael J. Totten

Posted by Michael J. Totten at January 18, 2007 01:39 PM

Comments

Gorgeous.

Posted by: Nate at January 18, 2007 01:42 PM

i have to say that these are some of the most beautiful pictures i've seen of lebanon and im a regular visitor to the country, and somehow i don't get the chance to see everything. thanks for reminding me of what a beautiful land my ancestors come from (even though i know and love it, but the pictures speak volumes).

Posted by: buckeye at January 18, 2007 02:34 PM

Thanks, Buckeye.

I think these previous Lebanon photo galleries here and here are better. These pictures are more recent, though.

Posted by: Michael J. Totten at January 18, 2007 02:40 PM

I can't tell if that's the woman's face or shoulder in that picture. Perhaps a close up or higher contrast would make it clearer.

Posted by: Josh Scholar at January 18, 2007 02:59 PM

That's her back, shoulder, and back of her head.

Posted by: Michael J. Totten at January 18, 2007 03:14 PM

Thanks for these pics. With all the violence, I never realized this was a country I would want to visit. Gorgeous!

Posted by: J-P at January 18, 2007 04:20 PM

As beautiful as Israel.

Posted by: leo at January 18, 2007 09:28 PM

yes, i looked at the other pics that you linked to in your comments. very beautiful. i have a few questions though.....how do you split your time between beirut and the states? and i was surprised to see your mom went with you to lebanon, what is her impression? and finally, what sparked your interest in lebanon as opposed say....an african nation or something like that? it seems like whenever i have the tv on, the celebrity "it" place is africa (which is fine to go and help), but it seems like it is fashionable.
just curious.
again, great pics...just wonder if we are worthy of such land.

Posted by: buckey at January 19, 2007 12:01 AM

Michael,

It is not only the North of Lebanon that was unaffected in the war. The hills surrouding Beirut, the Maten and Chouf areas were also unaffected, all the way from Mansourieh to Jezzine. I have some beautiful pics I can send you if you would like.

Actually the Chouf WAS affected, but not by Israeli bombs, but by HA refugees fleeing the South in July, fighters were hiding among the women and children, but that was not what upset me.

What was really outrageous was that the refugees, instead of carrying white flags so as they could be easily identified as non-hostile by both Israeli planes and Lebanese reg army, were carrying HA flags as they marched through the Chouf, essesntially painting bullseye on the homes of residents who welcomed them into their homes for sanctuary! it was ridiculously insane!

Posted by: Ryan at January 19, 2007 07:06 AM

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