The italian warship in which was used for evacuation. The italians were very gentle and tried at best to make the trip pleasant, yet their ship was full of flies, they distributed pizzas and juices: cheese, potatoe, and thyme i assume. and the dessert: a small piece of cioccolato fondente (Dark Chocolate). I have to admit it was good.

The ship included people with European and Non-European identities: Italians, Lebanese/Italians, Lebanese with an Italian permanent resident, French, Canadian, American (I think i was the only one, and maybe 2 canadians)..

You would either be packed inside with families and children enjoying the airconditioning and the Italian Television, or stay outside on the deck ignoring the humidity while enjoying the wind and sea. There is where we sat on chairs or rested on blankets on the floor.
Looking around, it was definitely not a happy atmosphere, yet one full of grief.
" It was unexpected, and I can't believe this is happening at this time to Lebanon, it is not fair." is what people repeated, and ofcourse the Arabic phrase with a headshake: "Haram Hal Balad." (Sorry-pity for the country). People were sad having to leave familes and friends behind, others were disappointed having to end their vacation in the beautiful Lebanon, and some were just relieved to leave the warzone and go to a safe place.

The children were running around, coloring, finishing there summer homeworks, or sleeping, the youth were playing cards, drinking beer (yes the italians were selling beer), trying to sneak into different places on the ship, and exchanging conversations, and the older people were reading newspapers and telling war stories of how they played run and hide back in 1982, here we go again!!!

Arriving in Cyprus we were divided into European and non-European nationalities.
The Europeans were taken by bus directly to the airport to hop on a plane to Rome. The non-europeans waited to be taken to customs, and then caught a later flight to Rome. UN representatives for each country were present upon arrival to cyprus to help. Yet we all went to Italy and took different paths, hoping that matters in Lebanon will be resolved soon so we can go back.

jeej