Damascus, Syria

An unexpected trip to Syria resulted in a 5 hour wait at the border hoping to get a Visa and be allowed entry into the country. Our taxi driver. who was to take us to the next town in Syria, decided it was better off for him to leave after waiting 3 hours leaving us stranded at the Syria border crossing. Luckily for us, we were allowed entrance and found a service cab willing to take us the last 7 km. A final bus ride brought us to Damascus, 10 hours after leaving Amman, Jordan. Damascus lays claim to be title of the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. It is a charming city with boutique hotels, old pasha palaces, and vibrant marketplaces (souqs) filled with the most friendliest people we've encountered. After touring the souqs and and visiting some spectacular palaces we stopped for lunch at an archaic 17th century Damascene home turned into a restaurant. At the end of an excellent lunch and stuffed to the gills, we asked for our bill. Instead, we received a huge platter of fruit on the house. We undid our pants (don't worry, only slightly) and stuffed in a few more morsels. Just when we pushed our plates away the waiter arrived with another plate. Jeff waved his arms emphatically indicating he couldn't eat anymore fruit and Anelia groaned. The waiter replied, "this is for sweets. Our compliments". The fruit plate was whisked away and replaced with a chocolate filled crepe to which Jeff and Anelia lifted their forks once again. The crepe was gone in a matter of seconds and with a possible explosion of stomach contents, Jeff whispered for the bill again. Instead the waiter asked "tea or coffee"? Jeff rubbed his belly and said, "no room at the Inn". The waiter replied, "our compliments". Not ever passing on a free handout Jeff ordered a coffee and downed it no problem as Anelia watched in amazement. The crane was ordered in and lifted us away from the table (not literally of course) and as we packed up to leave the waiter insisted we return the next day at the same time. Sadly, we were leaving Damascus the following day but would have happily obliged. After lunch we thought we better walk it off a little and headed out to explore the mosques. The Umayyad Mosque, one of the most holiest for all Muslims, was built in 705 AD as Damascus had become the Islamic world capital. The most beautiful feature of the mosque were the golden mosaics adorning the southern wall and prayer hall. This is also the supposed resting place for John the Baptist's head which is kept in an ornately decorated, green domed shrine. Near the Umayyad mosque lies the Sayyida Ruqayya Mosque dedicated to the daughter of the martyr Hussain, son of Ali. Jeff was denied entry due to wearing shorts but Anelia was able to fully dress in traditional attire and venture in. The mosque is breathtaking in its extravagance. One of the most unforgettable sights was watching dozens of women wailing and crying while caressing the bejeweled tomb of the fabled princess. At first glance Anelia thought she witness the women throwing flowers onto the tomb but on second glance saw it was in fact barbie dolls! If you look closely at the picture you can see one of many Barbie dolls on top of the shrine. We could continue on telling many tales of our time in Damascus but this blog is getting way too long. So for the sake of your sanity we will end by saying definitely try to make a trip to Damascus in your lifetime.

pic 1- Pile of ice cream in souq
pic 2- Umayyad Mosque
pic 3- Sayyida Mosque (look for barbie doll)
pic 4- never-ending dessert at restaurant
pic 5- don't eat the bulk candy available in the souq
pic 6- spice shop in souq
pic 7- Ruins of the Roman era
pic 8- old town streets
pic 9- our hotel sitting room