Blogs from South, Syria, Middle East
El parque Octubre, Ekin pargi, October park
Published: March 10th 2012Middle East » Syria » South » Damascus
March 10th 2012
El parque Tisherin se llama así por la guerra que tuvo lugar en octobre de 1973 contra Israel todos los viernes y sábados voy a pasear por la mañana, las fotos son de hoy entre las 11 y las 12:30h. TURKÇE: Ekin 1973 Süriye Israel yle savas yaptilar, her cuma cumartesi dolasmaya gdierin, resimlr bu sabah 11-12:30 yaptim. ENGLISH: In 1973 there was a war between Israel and Syria, I go to this park on fridays and saturdays, I took the pictures today between 11 and 12:30h.... read more
Zoco del Hamidiye, Hamidiye Çarsisi, Al-Hamidiyah Souq,
Published: February 9th 2012Middle East » Syria » South » Damascus
February 9th 2012
Una visita al bazar, Burdaki kapali çarsi kisa bir gezisi, A small trip to this souq.... read more
Remains of the Roman past in old Damascus
Published: October 20th 2011Middle East » Syria » South » Damascus
October 20th 2011
Restos del pasado romano en la parte vieja de Damasco Roma dönemin kalma eserleri eski Sams... read more
August 24th 2011
I came to Syria at a time of uncertainty, a time when most people and analysts around the world were unsure of what was happening. There was a moment in late May where I had to decide for myself whether I should continue with my plans to visit Syria. I could have taken a job on campus, lived with friends, and had an easy summer. There is no doubt that I would have loved to have done that! But there was something unsettling about the whole idea- it felt like I was turning away from what was important to me in exchange for the assurance of security. And I thought, since when had anything I had ever done went without risk? 2012 is an election year, and I want to be in Chicago for it. ... read more
August 12th 2011
Shame on me for waiting this long to write about such an important topic. The cuisine in Syria is absolutely delicious as it is diverse and satisfying. One of the best ways to get a taste (literally) of Arab culture is through its food. The food holds a deep representation of the traditions, history, and culture of Arab society. It borrows and shares its flavors with the Greeks, Turks, North Africans, and dare I say, Romans, because after centuries of conquest and civilization, food from around the Mediterranean hold similar flavors and bases. The flavor around Syrian cuisine is based off olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper. The staples in every lunch table are grains like bulghar wheat, rice, and bread. A typical meal will consist of salad, beef or chicken, and some “focal point” (or ... read more
July 27th 2011
It's two o'clock in the morning here in Syria, and like many college nights I spent tossing in my bed wide awake with thought, I have found that the same awful habit has followed me here. So here I am writing my thoughts down. I took an Arabic course at Damascus University, and met some pretty remarkable and brave Europeans. Most had been here far longer than I had, and are genuinely enjoying their time in Syria. They are not afraid to travel and take charge of their lives, and for that I greatly admire. I had been toying with the idea of taking a train to Boston or flying down to Savannah, and yet I am meeting people not much older than I taking buses (buses!) around Syria. Syria is my home, a part of ... read more
June 30th 2011
Yasmine, the national flower of Syria I was walking by my childhood home the other day when I came across an old but familiar fragrance. I looked up, and sure enough, the Yasmine shrub that produced vines of flowers for years still remained. Despite the marked differences in our yard and apartment flat, the Yasmine bush has remained, symbolic of the societal changes and constants in Syria. The last time I traveled to Syria about three years ago, the city was full of tourists. People from the Gulf, Iran, and Eastern Europe flooded the streets of Damascus. What’s more, due to the war in Iraq, many refugees were also living in Syria at that time. I was overwhelmed at the crowded streets and felt like a stranger amongst so many different people. But now, amidst all ... read more
Damascus, and a lesson in hospitality
Published: April 25th 2011Middle East » Syria » South » Damascus
April 12th 2011
Hey all, We were up early (but not too early) on Saturday to enjoy our only day as a group in Damascus, as myself and Jason would be departing the trip the next day. We were taxied in near the old town, and Graham gave us a quick tour of all the important sites, including Syria’s best ice-cream shop! The souq in the old city was amazing, long winding streets lined with tall shops displaying everything from wedding dresses and sweets to brooms and antiques, covered with roofing and housing a bustling atmosphere. We were left to our own devices in the old city so Missy, Holly, JC, Emma and I dandered through the souqs before going to the Umayyad Mosque, an incredibly beautiful and historic mosque. We (women) robed up and took ourselves on a ... read more
