Laundry and Independence

Happy Lebanese Independence Day, everyone! I'll confess up front that I slept right through this morning's ceremony downtown. It sounds like it was very much a military celebration: lots of troops in formation, tanks driving around, and important officials and dignitaries in the audience. One interesting thing, though, is that this is the first time in three years that Beirut has had a public outdoor independence celebration--years past have been too unstable to risk it. 
 
So far I have observed Independence Day by not speaking French (since it was from the French protectorate that Lebanon emerged as an independent country in 1943) and doing laundry. Near the laundromat there is a little bakery that makes and sells those purse-shaped loaves of bread with handles on them and thyme inside. The bakery actually has a vertical conveyor belt in the front window that rotates the bread down into a heating area and then back up into the window for display. It's the neatest thing. The photo doesn't do it justice, but might give you an idea.
 
I also spotted this very odd "toilets" sign right outside the laundromat. I'm guessing that it might have something to do with the Beirut Marathon which will be held next weekend, but I'm not sure. Sadly, there are to my knowledge no public bathrooms anywhere near the sign. Go figure.
 
This coming week will bring student elections here on campus. They should be interesting to watch--I'll keep you posted! Happy Independence Day and Happy Thanksgiving to all!