1974 Hamra: Before the Civil War

Just a couple of months before the 1975 civil war, Beirut was the “Paris of the Middle East.” A modern and erudite city, the Beirut that once was has not of yet returned.

Just take a look at this photo, tweeted by @murray_omar, featuring a European-looking foreigner, a clean and seemingly modernized grocery store, and a bikini-clad advertisement on the wall. The Beirut of bygones is slowly returning to us, albeit in bits and pieces.

There’s something to be said when the 70’s seem better than 2012. But war often ruins the best of things.