http://backinbeirut.blogspot.com/
interesting pieces on Lebanon and whole Near and Central East area..

"Take Gemmazieh street (the official name is Rue Gouraud). To drive the one kilometer long, one way street that runs from the edge of Martyrs' Square to the Electricite du Liban building, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour as people search for a parking space or hand over keys to a valet. For an essentially straight and flat street, close to areas with parking space, like downtown and Charles Helou Station, such a log jam would seem a major urban planning oversight.

But in Gemmazieh's case, an area of 'traditional character' as the sign posts tell us, the street turned into a nightlife hub haphazardly, bar by bar, restaurant by restaurant. The one kilometer long traffic jam is also not solely down to a lack of planning. A big contributer is the Lebanese penchant for valet car parking, a combination of unwillingness to walk and, two, to show off. "