al jnub (the south) of lebanon is very beautiful.  but it’s also high security, because of it’s proximity to israel, and a relatively strong hezbollah presence.

basketball.  lebanese style.  we met an american couple up in the mountains of the south.  it was a welcomed break after the long drive from beirut.

the american couple’s kids were great.  and this little guy was official.  he had just been with his dad to renew his visa, and i guess he had a little fun with the rubber stamp.

the south has a very strong hezbollah presence.  these three flags, lebanese, palestine, and hezbollah, are on the southern border of israel.  a strong statement, though the majority of the lebanese are anti-syrian and angry with hezbollah for firing at israel.  hezbollah receives almost all of it’s funding from syria and iran.  they have no allegiance to lebanon, and as a result, the lebanese people are beginning to withdraw any support they may have given in the past.

mount hermon and israel in a haze.

the village of marjeyoun, where my family is from, looked tired from war and violence.  i hope to spend more time there before i leave.  i only passed through this time.

mount hermon.  

israel straight ahead.  but the border is insanely secure with lebanese forces and droves of un tanks and soldiers.  on the other side, 24 hours a day, israeli soldiers fiercely guard their borders.

a giant un complex near the lebanese/ israeli border.

lebanon is know for it’s wonderful crops.  this is the biggest lemon i have ever seen.

all images © andrew r. slaton | photographer 2009