why does the outside of oscars hotel look like beirut

onlyme


Joined: 28/01/2008
Posts: 86

Message Posted:
28/10/2009 20:47

after 13 years of living here oscars aproach road still looks like beirut ,i wonder what tourists think to themselves when they see it for the first time

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
28/10/2009 20:59

I remember when I first saw the approach road to Oscars, some 20 years ago, and remember thinking "Thank God we're not staying here". Shame, 'cos it still seems a reasonably popular hotel but would agree it does strongly resemble Beirut.



J

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
28/10/2009 21:39

Funny thing, I said exactly that a few years ago when we had a drive round that area.

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
28/10/2009 22:50

My exact first thought back in 1991.

notthereyet


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 00:01

We stayed there two yrs ago and were warned by hotel reviews of what to expect, but nothing prepared us for the actual sight that greeted us and it was with very heavy heart that we got closer and the dread levels grew with each pot hole. Glad to say the Hotel was smashing, clean and well maintained and the balcony view during breakfast was to die for. A real treasure in a bomb site.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 00:17

When I first came here I phoned my son with these words. I Have Laned in downtown bagdad, but hey we are still here xxxxxxxxx

bigmomma


Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 09:17

Let me just clarify why it looks like Beirut.

It is because all the buildings are owned by the greeks and they dont want to do anything to them, but as you say the hotel is lovely and it is a shame on what you are faced with when you arrive.

cassius


Joined: 20/03/2009
Posts: 110

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 09:32

Are you sure that it is Oscars approach that looks like Beirut and not that Beirut is designed upon Oscars appraoch????



Here; you have to think outside the box. But nobody can tell me how far outside I have to be!

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 12:07

bigmomma

Dont understand about the greek property.

Whats the difference in that area and any other ex greek properties.Is not most of the property in Girne ex greek.

Or is it that the property round there has been bought by greeks in the south via northen estate agents as a future investment?



Cassius

Saw a Lebanese diplomat on the news ages ago saying that the Israeli invasion and civil war in the past had the effect of leaving Beirut looking almost as bad as round Oscars in Girne.When Lebanese voters kicked up , he had to apoligise for slandering Beirut with such a gross exaggeration.

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 12:47

Hi...Not 100% but I believe the Blocks of apartments or rather what was the SHELL of the apartments were "Council" owned, these are then given to poorer locals, who then finish them when they are able to do so.



A bit like living on a half built council estate, from which, some of us have come from.



Note Oscars have offered to buy out the area, but not successful, where else would you put these people..a bit like...any where, but near us!



Bit like Bierut?....when were you last in Bierut?

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 15:06

"Bit like Bierut?....when were you last in Bierut?"



Me 1974 ,Daughter several times 2008-2009. It has been rebuilt . Apart from the southern districts, its" pure dead brilliant " I am informed,

1.5 million visitors!. Plus voted by readers of The New York Times as their No 1 destination in the World 2009.



I think Oscars and North and South Cyprus would love to have Beiruts 'problem'





But I dont think anyone was being literal.



Bit like saying cold as the arctic,

Looks like Berlin 1945.

As hot as death valley.

As bad as the famine in Ethiopia.

When were you last in--

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 15:59

"A bit like living on a half built council estate, from which, some of us have come from"



Why do they only half build council estates?

raki117


Joined: 29/07/2009
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 20:12

I worked and lived in Beirut and BEİRUT looks better

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 20:48

Have you been to Beirut recently? I have. It is a beautiful city. And they are making a damn fine job of rebuilding it.



It does make me smile when I hear people compare anything that looks tumbledown to Beiruit!

raki117


Joined: 29/07/2009
Posts: 43

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 21:04

Oleander



I think the expression stuck from the early 80s if I am not wrong ?

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
29/10/2009 23:27

raki1117



Think you are right,from '75-95' civil war wrecked the place .It lasted that long and so many reporters had been there that I think it is them who coined the phrase .When they moved on to other places they automatically used the phrase so the audience ,who had come to see Beirut on the news frequently ,would have something to relate to.

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
30/10/2009 11:30

People live where they live because of choice and cost...what right have we to question and degrade those who are alot less fortunate than ourselves..by using phrases such as "bomb site"..whilst to others..it is "home"

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
30/10/2009 12:12

Stewart



Are you not trying to show your PC credentials by having an argument where one doesnt exist.

Who was degraded?Who was questioned?

but should not the state of the site be questioned? Oscars can live with it.





I know someone who "lived " in Tondo in Philippines, beside Smoky Mountain.Believe me you are degrading no one by saying its a hell hole.The people have been degraded already. The last thing these people want, the Philippine Govt excepted,is for PC people like ourselves to walk on glass when describing where they live.



How we describe places such as that can never do justice to the reality.