
The old and grand juxtaposed with the very old and very grand

A plaque referencing the Abana and Pharpar rivers that used to majestically run through Damascus; now’s it’s a muddy, trash-filled stream. Naaman famously proclaimed that he would rather wash (to receive healing) in the clean rivers of Damascus rather than the Jordan.

Paul/Saul being let down in a basket over the Damascus wall

From what I saw of the ancient technology of the Syrian military, it seemed unsuited to anything other than guerrilla warfare

White… car (these were right across the street from each other! I did not artificially juxtapose them.)

Our favorite leader smiling happily and expressing confidence in the Syrian people

The ever-present two ladies in the hotel across the street from our hotel; they gave me heart attacks several times when it at first appeared that they realized that I was shooting them.

Sunset over Mosque, solar panels, and Sony sign

Eating supper of rotisserie chicken on the roof of our hotel with the Umayyad mosque in the background
Before we leave Syria, I would like to make a few comments. (Especially in light of my comments in an Iraq post.) I did not enjoy Northern Syria. The people were rude and pushy (to an extent not ever seen on our trip throughout the Middle East) and the land was neglected and trashy. One northern Syrian redeemed himself with typical Arabic hospitality: inviting us to his house for tea, though we had to decline because of getting to our bus on time. To be fair to the rest of Northern Syria, our experience was probably not typical–I have a good friend from Northern Syria who is absolutely charming. We simply passed through. Despite my negative impression (whether accurate or not) of northern Syria, I had an absolute blast in Damascus. That was one of the highlights of the trip.

















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