Bourdain's Beirut - Part 5

Tony compared the evacuation to a Metallica concert, gone horribly bad. I don't believe Mr. Bourdain was trying to be flip in this matter.

If you have seen the videos of Beirut, or watched it on TV, I think you would have to agree, that this experience changed the whole crew.

The US military takes a lot of grief. It is heartwarming to see the marines as something more than the gung-ho, fighting machines, that I'm sure they are.

In the clinch, it's good to see everyone trying to pull together. It's in these tough situations, we get to see people for who they really are.

Bourdain's Beirut - Part 4

Tony's learning how to sleep through the bombings.

The hotel pool seems to be the main "hang-out for everyone.

Bourdain's Beirut - Part 3

In the midst of not knowing what to expect, Tony takes refuge in the hotel kitchen, doing prep work on some veggies.

Tony Bourdain in Lebanon (Part 2)

Civil war has broken out in the city. The folks who live their are used to the bombings, as much as anyone can be.

The night clubs have back up generators, for when the electrical goes out. You get the impression, it happens enough.

Bourdain's Beirut - Part 1

If you are not aware of Beirut, it is the capital and largest city in Lebannon.

The city of Beirut, has to be both the "Yin" and "Yang" of the mideast, for several reasons. But, two good reasons would be, it is the cultural meca, a Paris, with it's western divergence; ready to accept the fashion, music, and higher education that dominates this city.

The other side of Beirut's history, is it's war torn past. For so long now, Beirut has been rebuilding itself from ashes. It has undergone so much reconstruction in recent years, that it has just recently been, "back on it's feet", as an international, metropolitan city, again.

Tony and crew were in Beirut, Lebanon, for the Travel Channel, shooting "No Reservations", last year, when a war broke out right in front of them.

After all was said and done, it won an Emmy. Why? Because it was the most powerful, captivating piece of reality TV, so far.

They are filming the Beirut piece, all seems well, then all hell breaks loose around them.

Later, Tony compares the evacuation of refugees, waiting on the beach as, "A Metallica concert, gone horribly bad."