2:15pm: Will the strikes continue? Kitchen says yes.

The sheikha sent me an SMS, the streets are closed in her area and people can only move by use of their own feet. She and her family remain in her house for now and hopefully I'll be able see her tomorrow...

Hamra still needs quiet and things are open. From my balcony, I can see people going in and out of the local coffee shop or saj joint. I am still in my room, logging footage, making use of this day off I suppose but as I exited out of the kitchen after I made a mean leftover+maggi noodle lunch, I was struck by a scary thought...either the girls next door somehow secretly know me and have read my blog or the strikes may continue. Why? They started to clean the kitchen!!! Strike = no maid service so...are the anticipating that they'll have to keep the place clean for the next week? Or, is it a way of coping with the boredom of staying indoors?

People are out and about in this solidly pro-government area but I think most peoples' concerns are if things escalate they don't want to be caught outside holding a sandwich from a shop that didn't abide by the strike (or so to speak). Although I can't see this happening here and frankly if you read the news reports it looks like any squirmishes were in the Christian areas (Byblos) - Aounees against Lebanese Forces I assume.

I'm going to go out later and at least get a saj sandwich, I've been staring at the shop all day after all. But, for now, I'm huddled back in my room, astonished by the cleaning outside my door.