shocking news

I have been on the road for the last month. First for a school trip to Argentina, followed by holidays on a european tour to Italy, Austria, and Ireland. The month of traveling meant I was not only out of Internet access, but also extremely short on news about the world, and about my classmates. That is until I came back to Lausanne last night. More on my trip later, but first, I want to write about one of my fellow classmates, Mohamad. Mohamad is from Lebanon, and is one of my brightest and charismatic classmates here at IMD.

Once, during dinner with two friends and me, Mohamad described how his childhood was filled with fear of war, bombs falling around him, and bullets woozing by him. I was shocked. He talked about how their family had to go into hiding, fleeing into the mountains. It wasn't the first time I heard about war: A good friend, Tamra, is from Sarajevo. But it was the first time I felt that way: I couldn't even relate, I couldn't even imagine how life was, days after days of living in a war zone, year after year. Just how fortunate am I to grow up in Taiwan. Even with the constant threat of a Chinese invasion, life was relatively calm. It's nothing comparing to what Mohamad grew up with.

Well, the news of what is happening in Isreal and Lebanon is no "news" any more. It's been around for days. What was shocking to me upon my return to Lausanne is that Mohamad has been back in Lebanon with his family. Nothing has been said about whether Mohamad will return in time for school, but the airport in Damascus has been bombed by Isreal. How will he get out?

Enough of me blabbering about. Here is a real dose of reality from an email Mohamad sent a few days ago.

"The situation is really terrifying... it is just waiting where the next bomb will hit! I am still glad that I am around, otherwise I would have gone crazy worrying about my family and friends in Lebanon from Lausanne. My city now is completely cut from all directions! I hope we can manage to get the basic supplies for children and elders! It is back to chaos and war! I can hear the planes and the machine guns around as I am writing! I hope it will be over soon and both Israel and Hizbollah get back to rationality and put an end to this catostrophy and blood shed. I also hope to see you soon!"