Outbreak of Peace (long)

[margo49]

It still seems so fragile - especially when you think of the diplomacy and logistics involved in organising and deploying an International Force of 15 000
assorted armed peace-keepers (if that is not a contradiction).

But it is *now* 38 hours and 10 minutes since the Ceasefire came into effect.

Everything is so quiet now. Instead of sirens, explosions, gunfire and aircraft overhead, we are at last hearing birdsong during the day and crickets chirping at night. They are unexpectedly loud. Perhaps because we have missed them. Perhaps because we just stop and listen now.

People are returning to their homes (or what is left of them) and soldiers are returning to their bases (although most are not yet actually demobilised)
The radio is playing regular music and news bulletins are shorter and noticeably absent are lists of names or times and locations of funerals.
Sadly however we are starting to see the extent of the environmental damage: dead fish and oil pollution on the coast and thousands of acres of forest reduced to ash. This is Mediterranean mixed forest - from tiny wild-flowers to caper bushes and olives; along with oaks, pines and the increasingly mythical cedars. And all the associated wildlife: mice,porcupines,mongoose,foxes and jackals ; and so many kinds of birds resident, visitors and and migrants. Estimated recovery time - 60 years. I will never see it and my children will be over 75 years old by then. Assuming we don't do any more damage.

The most poignant story was from a Forest Ranger, standing almost ankle deep in the grey ash. He drew the tv reporter's attention to the numerous jackal prints on the dead ground. I started to smile, thinking of animals returning to nests and holes and all manner of homes. But then the Ranger explained that far from being a pack of jackals these tracks were the aimless meanderings of a lone individual searching out once-familiar places in its now burnt-out territory.And you could see it so clearly - a line of tracks as it walked along , then a muddle of prints as it shifted from foot to foot presumably sniffing and poking to discover what had happened to whatever it had expected to see at that particular spot. Then a continuation of the walking tracks to another muddle of prints...

Can we imagine its confusion and distress? Now multiply that for every bird, animal and person in the region.
If we could imagine *that* surely we would not have done it.

38 hours 40 minutes and counting

[bikerchick68]

poignant and well written Margo... I'll be wishing for 40 hours 10 min.. then 45 hours... then 100... then years... be safe.

[mtkitchn]

I hope the cease fire holds for you Margo. It would be nice if someday there could be peace on earth (HA!).
War is so horrible to the environment. War is so horrible to everything. I'm so sorry your forest has been destroyed. I hope you all stay as safe and healthy as you can.

[Bikingmomof3]

Margo,
Thank you for sharing with us what you are seeing and hearing. My heart breaks for your country and all countries being destroyed by wars. My continued prayers for peace. Be safe, be well.

[esther231]

I'm glad you posted. You've been in my thoughts.

We'll count with you, hopefully, till we run out of numbers.

Stay safe.

[Running Mommy]

Thanks Margo- I wish you didn't have to write it, so sad that you did...
I continue to pray for you and all in the region.
Peace, we need peace. I think the world just needs a group hug right now, not that it's gonna happen... sigh.. ...

[Nanci]

Nice to know the whole world blames Bush. I think every country has the right to defend itself. I hope the _____ that started this can never re-arm/rebuild. Too bad the people of the country have to pay.

[Trek420]

mtkitchn "I hope the cease fire holds for you Margo. It would be nice if someday there could be peace on earth (HA!)."

Me too, now let healing begin.

"War is so horrible to the environment. War is so horrible to everything. I'm so sorry your forest has been destroyed."

I'm thinking, it's our forest too. War effects us all.

Same ocean, same air (everybody join hands and sing Kumbaya).

Nanci, TE, now it is up to us. Not to politicize TE, I don't care whether you're "red" or "blue" maybe now more will see it's important and care. Our foreign policy effects others and the earth itself. Elections are around the corner. More people vote for American Idol than in national elections. That's a shame.

Vote early and often

[oxysback]

More people vote for American Idol than in national elections. That's a shame.

Hmm, imagine unlimited phone and text votes...and no age limit! Not really an accurate comparison, IMO.

:::ducking and running:::

[eclectic]

So hard to imagine the devastation while I am sitting here in my safe little world.

thank you for the description it brings a reality to the situation.

May the cease fire hold and the crickets continue to chirp

[Trek420]

oxysback "Hmm, imagine unlimited phone and text votes...and no age limit! Not really an accurate comparison, IMO. "

now THERE'S an idea!

":::ducking and running:::"

Come back, no problem, no need to duck and run. It feels good finaly to be able to laugh a little about it. Still very sad for all the people who suffered on both sides. This is where my Dad was raised after all.

[oxysback]

Come back, no problem, no need to duck and run. It feels good finaly to be able to laugh a little about it. Still very sad for all the people who suffered on both sides. This is where my Dad was raised after all.

Agreed. War is hell.

I was talking to a high school guy awhile back. He voiced the opinion that no wars should have happened...ever. I then asked him if he liked his freedom. He looked at me funny until I mentioned the Civil War. He happens to be black. Point made.

Some people don't get that sometimes there are righeous reasons for war.

[Kitsune06]

hey, if we can only get every citizen in the 'states to register to vote and actually vote we'll be doing something. I try so hard not to be political here (I could go on and on) but seriously bad things are happening to our personal rights and freedoms... and they'll keep happening if eveyone hears what's happening and goes "No WAY... they can't REALLY be considering THAT"
... Funny, you don't often hear this stuff on the news, either.
ok... sorry about the interlude, it's just been bugging me all day.

[snapdragen]

Oh Margo. I'm happy that the cease fire has begun; heartbroken over what has happened to the land. Your writings always touch me, thank you for sharing this part of your life.