BEIRUT: As the country's divided political camps remain in a deadlock, some taxi drivers have taken up a new habit of jumping camps, depending on where they are driving. "When in the Christian areas, I put up a rosary," said Zyad, as he pulled out a bright red rosary from the front compartment and hung it on the rear-view mirror.

But Zyad first had to remove a blue beaded Masbaha with an small golden Koranic verse attached. "I am actually a Muslim," he said, "but when I pick up customers in the Christian areas, I noticed they get more comfortable when there is a Christian ornament dangling from my mirror."

Zyad, who would not reveal his last name, said that several of his cabbie friends also pull this "switching" stunt.

"In the Muslim areas, I put either the Masbaha or some Islamic decorations, just to avoid questions from customers," he said. Zyad said sometimes he would even add a certain party's color cloth, depending on which area he is passing through.

Zyad's dashboard compartment was packed with different colored cloths, and even several small Lebanese flags, that he pulls out during demonstrations, which have become almost routine in Lebanon.

"This country is a rainbow of religions, sects and parties, and so I like to fashion the car with the ever changing political fashion of Lebanon," said Zyad.

At the time, Zyad was driving from Hamra to Achrafieh, and jokingly said he needs to buy "opposition colors" - yellow, green and orange - for the times when he picks customers up from Downtown Beirut.

"You had to live here during the civil war, to understand, why I could be paranoid enough to be doing this," he said.

During the Civil War, Zyad explained how he knew people would be "executed" based on their religion or sect, including cab drivers.
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