"Bathing in Lurpak"

I used this quote - "Bathing in Lurpak" - yesterday from another blogger, because I thought it was funny, but it turned out he was right on the mark. I cannot tell you how many people I have spoken today in Beirut who are making it a point to buy something Danish in the supermarket . 'The only way to show my utter disgust with these people', a friend of mine said. 'These people' being the demonstrators. I do agree; they do not make a pretty picture. I shouldn't be too harsh though, it was clear from the TV images that several clerics made a concerted effort to keep the mob from destroying property, and Hezbollah apparently pulled out its people when they noticed things were getting nasty. Goes to their credit. I don't think it is fair to shove all what is Muslim in the direction of an irate group of hard-liners. And sometimes Christians in this country are a little paranoid. I've always lived very happily in the Western part of town. I did one short 8 month stint in Ashrafiya, but was glad when I found an apartment in Hamra, and could move back again. I'm quite dedicated to this part of town.

This is the story my paper printed (my article on the right). I thought the picture on the left was a very nice one, and several readers commented on the fact that it had something 'Medieval', and in a way, it does. It reminds me of a painter, but cannot quite remember who. Anyone any suggestions on this scene? Talking about the ultimate shot (and medieval times); Check this one out! FANTASTIC! He reminds me of this guy Catweazle, the main character of a wizard series in the 70's. This guy lived in a water tower with a toad, and was warped back from the Middle Ages into modern times. Here he is; Catweazle!

Anyway, buying Danish products seems to be the silent protest.

I guess that's just about the opposite as what the demonstrators tried to accomplish. But then again, it seems there were - very appropriately in a country where there are actually two Lebanons - actually two groups of demonstrators. One group of pious believers who were seriously insulted by the cartoons, and one group who was out there to throw a riot, upset people, insult each other and somehow create a rift between the Lebanese Muslims and Christians. All in the name of Syria, it seems. I don't think they've quite succeeded on this last issue, although the Christians I spoke with today are extremely upset with 'les troupeaux barbu' (hope I spelled that one right) in a manner of 'You see, you see? Didn't I tell you'?

Well, we'll see where all this is leading to.