Where will the next bomb strike?

Lebanon's economy falls further and further into the doldrums.

Reports are out that there are no buyers for property. Lebanese from abroad are buying, but that's only because they think they can get a good deal. And they aren't buying in the prominent, luxurious areas, either.

The tourism industry has hosted a number of high profile events. Models in lingerie strut through downtown Beirut. Models in lingerie strut through the mountain resort town of Faraya. Models in bikinis strut down the sandy beaches of Edde Sands to assuage the fears of beachgoers that the property is too polluted after the massive oil spill last summer.

When downtown closed, the major businesses began shifting their locations. They opened in Jal ed Dib and Verdun. ABC Ashrafieh remained a popular attraction. It was bombed on Sunday night. Verdun has been doing booming business. Le Relais Entrecote just opened there, and Caspar and Gambini's is set to open soon. However, the bomb there the other day has made Lebanese (and foreigners) extremely nervous about traveling to the area.

Aley, another mountain tourist town, was bombed last night. The night before that, three men carrying explosives were found on a mountain road, which leads to Broumanna, another popular summer tourist destination. Thank God, no bomb exploded, but the message was clear.

So, where can we expect the next attack? Hamra? Jal ed Dib? Batroun? Bhamdoun?

Most Lebanese go to work, and return home immediately. Friends, the other day, came over to my place. They said, "We'll go out after the bomb." There has not yet been more than one attack on the same night. Most nightspots are closing early or not opening at all. And the ones that remain open are empty, and the owners are jittery. The other night was the first time that I saw the owners of an unpopular local pub look upset when more patrons arrived. It was as if they thought, "The more popular we are, the more likely it is we will become a target."

The running line on the street now is that it pays to be poor and destitute in Lebanon. The poor will inherit Lebanon, while those with the means to leave are going.