Blogs from Damascus, South, Syria, Middle East - page 3

Have I only been here 2 1/2 weeks? It seems longer, probably because every day here is a whole new experience. At the same time, I am frustrated with all that I haven't seen and done. Two years will hardly be long enough to explore Syria alone, never mind the neighboring countries. Here's a few snapshots of my daily life outside of work -- which takes up a considerable amount of my days, unfortunately! Last Saturday I decided it was time to make an appointment at a local hair salon. I knew the success of this venture would be a serious test of my ability to survive in Damascus, so I approached it with some trepidation. Would wearing a head scarf be out of the question if things didn’t work out? I decided the hotel concierge ... read more

Witajcie po dluugiej przerwie! Wlasnie zerknelam na historie bloga i zobaczylam, ze ostatni wpis dodalam juz zponad 2 miesiace temu. Wybaczcie! Jakos tak teraz nasza podroz przebiega, ze albo nie ma dostepu do internetu, albo gdy juz jest, przytrafiaja nam sie takie przygody i okolicznosci, ze naprawde szkoda siedziec przed komputerem. Kolejna winowajczynia mojej dlugiej nieobecnosci na tym blogu, jest nasza nowa strona internetowa. Praca nad nia trwaja i gdy tylko mamy dostep do netu, skupiamy sie na materialach na strone, jako, ze tego bloga zamierzam wkrotce zaniechac. Mam nadzieje, ze juz niedlugo bede mogla Wam przedtawic nowa strone oraz nowego bloga, ktory bedzie ladniejszy, latwiejszy w nawigacji bardziej przejrzystszy. Co do naszej podrozy - dotarlismy juz na kontynent AFRYKANSKI:-))) Jestesmy w Egipcie, a od paru dni stacjonujemy w Kairze. Nie wiem jak to wszystko ugryzc, ... read more

Wooden doors. Preferably old and very used. I think I must be quite obsessed (it started years ago, when I went to Zanzibar to see the doors) and I still love them and door knockers, handles, any decoration... In Syria, I really noticed the door knockers - the difference between these gorgeous, feminine shapely hands with all their detail and the occasional ones you can find in London's east end, and around Spitalfields - those ones are much less detailed and virtually androgynous. Can't help thinking that the lack of sensuality and passion in the 'London hands' says somehing about us....have put in a photo to compare....... read more

The Biet Akbik hotel is in the Christian Quarter of Damascus - the streets and especially the souk, are noticabley different to the other side of town. Much quieter, but we were there on a Sunday...... read more

On the road to Damascus, and later to Jordan. I read the words ‘On the road to Damascus’ in a church yesterday in the Christian quarter of Damascus. It’s one of those sorts of famous lines isn’t it? Like ‘It’s Wednesday, it must be Cairo’. We spent two days in Damascus. Our accommodations’ were located outside the old city, about 20 minutes walk to the main souq, and another 20 minutes into the Christian quarter if you wanted an alcoholic beverage. I spent most of yesterday in or around that quarter exploring churches, not bars, so by the time we went back for our Last Supper tour meal, I think I’d walked a million miles. To the point today where my feet are quite sore. Still, what better ways to get an appetite and then work ... read more