Mitch Messmore

Founder, Art Night Schenectady

Where the streets have no names.


It has been a wonderful experience living in Beirut, Lebanon for the past few months. Every day is an adventure and presents a new challenge, but the one obstacle I have had the most trouble overcoming is the lack of street signs, and more over, street names.

At one time in Lebanon’s history all the streets had names and the buildings had addresses, but today if you don’t know your local landmarks you are completely lost. More than half the residents don’t know what the old street names were, and when you tell them they look at you cross eyed like you fell from another planet.

Neighborhood names, building names and landmarks are your only hope for giving and getting directions.

I ordered a pizza the other day and it took me longer to explain where the pizza was to be delivered than it took them to make the pizza. I can only assume the directions I supplied we correct because my pie arrived in 20 minutes nice and hot.

Mitch Messmore