Blogs from Hama, West, Syria, Middle East - page 2

We had a "free morning" to explore the town of Hama. Unfortunately I still needed to sort out my money so spent the time in an internet cafe and then persuaded the tour guide to sort out a pay phone for me. Good job he did because (a) I could not find it (it was on the wall in the street outside a shop) and (b) to get it to work I needed a chap to fish coins out of the coin box and then feed them back in to the slot while I discussed the issue, at length, with my bank. However, after much wrangling they unlocked it and I quickly withdrew some cash to last the whole holiday... before more suspicious transactions appeared. After this it was nearly midday and our agreed meeting time ... read more

Early start to get to the bus station when arrived though there were no buses. One of the locals advised me that the bus station had moved to near the motorway so I had to get a service taxi. On the way I am sure that the driver tried to offer me his wife to which I politefully declined - arab hospitality is great but I think that is going a bit too far. As opposed to the nearly 2 hour wait in the Beirut bus station amongst the garbage and flies my 15 minute wait in air conditioned luxury was a joy to behold. The journey was 1 and a half hours to Hama and cost just over an English pound - even got a sweet. Booked into the Riad hotel and no sooner as ... read more

Hama is the fourth largest city in Syria. It took us just under three hours to get there from Damascus and we were instantly impressed by the chilled out feel to the place, delighted to find the most delicious chicken kebabs (so far) at the bus station, and very happy not to be ripped off by a taxi driver! We stayed at the Riad Hotel and when we return we will definitely stay there again. It was like a cross between a one star hotel and a backpacker hostel with excellent service, friendly staff, and other travellers to talk to! Our room had a great view towards the river and it's a shame we could only stay one night. The thing most people come to Hama to see is the collection of norias, or waterwheels. Unfortunately ... read more

It is really amazing what a few hours travelling will do to change your surroundings! Syria is SO different: it is really amazing though. I dont even know where to begin to explain it, it is really something you just have to be immersed in to experience. It just seems concentrated: so much culture, dust, dirt, sunshine...and the stares! (you think I would be getting used to it by now...) The souqs in Aleppo were amazing. I met a law professor from US on the bus and we spent the day exploring together. He was really nice and helped me to find a cheap hotel. I was glad not to be alone when I first arrived because it was a little overwhelming for us both, but we figured it out. There are vehicles everywhere and everything ... read more

Do you remember the time when you were a little kid and loved listening to fairy-tales or reading books full of adventures from places somewhere beyond the horizon and far far away. Tales of powerful kings and queens and beautiful princesses? Tales of brave heroes and conquerors, tales of unbeatable armies in their shining armors, tales of the everlasting battle between good and evil? Do you remember the time...? The time when one side was good and the other side was evil? But as time does not stand still and as everything changes, even the good and the evil will change...! Like back the time when mankind was still living in caves, it was pretty clear who was evil... - the mighty Saber Tooth Tiger, it could bite a man's head off with just a single ... read more