Al Rais (Damascus)

... Privacy Act provisions and waivers. Americans in Syria are reminded they should review their personal security practices, including exercising caution and taking prudent measures to maintain their security and that of family members. These measures include being aware of their surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, avoiding loitering in areas with concentrations of people such as hotels, theaters, bus stations, and schools. American ...

... I decided to go back to the old city. There were some places that I missed on the first day such as the citadel and Saladin's tomb. The citadel was closed for renovations, so I went to the Umayyad mosque as Saladin's tomb was supposed to be nearby. I ended up going back into the mosque to look at the place again. This time I rested in the courtyard, just taking in the atmosphere of the place. After about an hour of just chilling out, I went to the tomb. The entrance ...

... heads. I commonly saw them cruising around alone in cars or shopping along. That goes against the stereotypes we have for this part of the world. If anyone is expecting Saudi Arabia style oppression, on the surface at least I didn't see it.<br><br>In the poorer areas such as the Old City the women were much more traditional and I wish I knew what the various degrees of covering up mean. Some women wore these cloak like jackets that went all the way to their feet ...

... seen all over the middle east that protects you from envy, two small but gorgeous paintings of Damascus, and two linen tunic tops that were tailored for me. Obviously I splurged a bit but the price was right and I was in vacation mode compared with being in Amman where I only really spend money on essentials like cab fare, groceries, and late night tea/coffee. <br><br>Overall, I totally suggest visiting Syria if you are so inclined ...

... br>of St. John the Baptist is venerated under the dome of the mosque by<br>Muslim pilgrims. If some see the Islamic claim of being the natural<br>Abrahamic, monotheistic continuation of Judaism and Christianity as<br>being a power play, these solemn worshippers demonstrate the<br>sincerity with which all prophets and saints who came before Mohammed<br>are praised by Muslims. <br><br><br><br><br>In Syria history pervades everything<br>and everywhere. The border point ...

... hair and the other was a picture of a long ago scholar. Two of us ordered fruit cocktails and three of us ordered freshly squeezed lemonade. After refreshing ourselves we went back out into the heat and went into an old palace called the Azem palace. This palace was amazingly beautiful. It had a gigantic courtyard with many fountains and trees. Beautiful architecture adorned the walls and arches and also many doors leading off to ...

... with no purchases here. Lyle, Tiffany, Liam, Anita and I trekked through the souk, down Straight Street, and out the Christian Quarter to cross under the road to find this place.  The glass store is tucked away off the second right you can take and then take the first right and it's at the end of the ally.  I was surprised to find it again but we all did! I was hoping to find a lot of the serve ware but the supply was very limited.  The serve ware has colored glass disks on it ...

... bit of a rough start since the immigration agent was very grouchy, and then I spent the first half day running around the city trying to find an ATM that would work since their banks don't always have great connections to the international bank networks. After finally being able to get some local currency I was able to get started exploring. Damascus has an old city that used to be surrounded by walls ...

... family) but after his inspection, he decided it was OK and he left with plans to meet in the morning to visit he Ummayad (grande) Mosque for the 7am Eid prayer. Akouk thereafter was referred to as 'my father' in the hotel. Very amusing..'your father called' etc.. I didn't end up meeting with Akouk for the 7am prayer before the feast, as the guys in the hotel told me foreigners wouldn't be allowed in, because Eid is so big, only Muslims would be allowed in (he did ...

... need, enjoying a cup of coffee on the street or at any one of the numerous cafes or just watching the world pass by while smoking a sheesha (waterpipe). In the midst of the crowds of Damascenes are tourists, such as myself, although maybe not so many American tourists, and the all black-clad faithful from Iran. An entire quarter of the Old City is for Shi'a Muslims mainly from Iran where Farsi is predominately spoken. This is ...