Safir Al-Sayedah Zeinab Hotel Damascus

... should keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure their travel documents are current. <br><br>Syrian officials do not notify the American Embassy when American citizens are arrested. Syrian officials do not inform detained American citizens that they have the right to request consular access. In detention/arrest cases, the U.S. Embassy usually learns of a detained American via third parties, such as relatives ...

... quite inconspicuous and I had trouble looking for it. There were also alot of Iranian ladies picnicking outside the tomb so I was quite hesistant to encroach their space. But I managed to weave my way thru to the doors of the tomb. The tomb itself was pretty modest, I guess its just the way Saladin would have wanted it to be as he was known to live by simple means during his lifetime. <br><br>I then walked around the souk, bought some souvenirs and also a carpet for the flat ...

... just wore a simple scarf with western clothing. A few even had their heads so covered up that only their eyes were visible. But no matter how covered up the women were, their husbands dressed normally for the most part in jeans and tee shirts. The scorching sun brought a toasty 93 degree day to these parts when I was wandering around...why in the world do women in this part of the world cover up in black head to toe? Last year I was in Bahrain, Kuwait, etc ...

... one day I can go back and visit other parts of the country but Damascus was really amazing and full of life. It was worth it to spend our time concentrated in that area rather than trying to run around from the south to the north to the east. <br><br>More later.<br><br>[NOTE: Exiting Jordan via land border costs a US citizen 5JDs and the visa costs $16 US dollars which is much cheaper than obtaining the visa ahead of time. So ...

... you to 'the cradle of<br>civilisation' and even the handicrafts markets next to the national<br>museum is credited with providing some of its more vaunted<br>neighbours' exhibits! Most interestingly though, its best sites are<br>makers for turning points in world history. <br><br><br><br><br>The rise and fall of Palmyra under the<br>reign of Queen Zenobia (she used the wealth and power of the<br>semi-autonomous town to challenge its ultimate masters in Rome,<br ...

... rooms around the palace. There was a room explaining about woman in the palace and they all lived in luxury. There were rooms about music, weapons, kings and Turkish baths. For those of you who don't know what a Turkish bath is, it is a bath where you go into a steam room and then people scrub you down until it seems like they peeled a layer of skin off your body. They then massage you and then its over.<br><br>After the palace we went to ...

... you can change the colors so you get what you want-some of you got this as presents last year but I forgot to some for myself.  Ooops!  But I did remedy this!   I found some spoons of various sizes but not the coffee spoons I was looking for.   Next stop was to look for the inlaid wood pieces and Lyle's copper or brass table.  We found the shop and he was open and quiet happy to see us!  We had all dropped a lot of money there last year. :-)  Lyle found his table and base, I ...

... of which are still intact. Lots of little alleys to explore and get lost in. The souks (bazaars) are world famous and go on and on, selling everything from perfume to spices to household goods. Lots of fun and very easily to spend an entire day browsing. Culturally Syria is very differnent from Iran. There is a mix of religions here, approx. 70% Muslim, 20% Christian and 10% Jewish, and it's very ...

... only Damascians but I didn't quite believe that as people flood into Damascus for Eid aparently..). I was Ok with this, spent a pleasant evening checking out the block near my hotel and drinking wine with some Turkish lads in the rooms next door. A sleep in I decided, wouldn't go amiss.. I was woken at 6.32 by a series of very load bangs that made my room shake, and didn't show any sign of letting up. After the 12th fire cracker was set off on the main road, I ...

... there are several shines in Damascus devoted to various members of Ali's family. Without going in to much detail, these sites are not revered by the majority Sunni in Damascus. Perhaps this explains part of the connection between Syria and Iran that concerns our government. My guide, Kamal, was horrible. We set off on our tour, but he didn't lead; he didn't even seem to have a plan. Maybe it was his manner compared to ...