beiruti stairwells

I love Beirut, I think it's the most beautiful city that I've ever been to (after chicago of course). One thing that really attracts me to it is the architecture. The older buildings are so beautiful. Most have very high ceilings, simple pale colors, and the stairwells, I don't know but I love the stairwells. In my building the light in the stairwell has been broken, so we have to walk up using our cellphones to light the way. Friends tell me that during the civil war (before there were cell phones if you can imagine!) people used to walk in the stairwells with lighters flicking them on constantly - if you've ever tried walking with a lighter you'd know that it doesn't work since the flame will get blown and burn your hand. Most stairwells don't allow in much light making them pitch black at night and during the day very dramatic and beautiful. This is at a friend's place.