Mundane? Yes, Please!

Cars covered by blue sheets and the white forensic tent on the bomb site.

Sometimes we want to run from the mundane. Boredom is the enemy, we need excitement! Well, living in Lebanon I have to say I rarely feel that. Even in “peaceful” times life seldom gets boring. Just driving can give you an adrenalin rush a minute…

The other morning, the day after the most recent bombing that killed a highly ranked member of the ISF, we left to drive down from our home in Mansourieh to school in Manara. At that time, 6:45, it’s usually a 20 minute journey. So, just like every day, we take the short-cut through the factory; the road that Gebran Tueini was assassinated on. Getting to the bottom of the valley our regular road is barred by large concrete blocks. Apparently, the torrential rain of the previous 24 hours had dislodged some boulders and they were now precariously balanced, ready to flatten an unsuspecting car at any moment. OK, no problem. We go to the highway that leads to Hazmieh. We want to take the road that goes down to Furn el Chebbak. NO. Not today. That road is closed because it is part of the bomb site. No problem! Next choice, go further up into Hazmieh and join the highway. At last, we get onto the highway we should have been happily motoring along about 10 minutes ago.

What’s that? Just up ahead the road is practically blocked by a large white sheet flapping angrily in the strong wind. That “sheet” was actually the forensic tent that had been set up over the bomb area and had been blown away itself by the continuing storm.

At this point I turn to Charles and remark, “Well, that’s enough excitement for one morning, can we just get to school now?” You see, in Lebanon we ache for the mundane. So, next time you’re wishing life just had that extra something, don’t be too ready to overlook the beauty of the ordinary!