Lattakia is a city of just under a million about an hour north of Tartus. When I got on the bus to come here I was one of the last ones to climb aboard. When I looked down the aisle I was surprised to see that pretty much all of the other passengers were 20-something's... mostly women... I asked a guy behind me what was up with this and he said they were mostly university students returning to school after the weekend. Anyhow... a nice switch from buses full of men.
Speaking of... Lattakia is a also home to the "free woman." Most dress very lavishly here. Walking the street is like a continual fashion show. SUCH a contrast from the rest of the Middle East. It truly does take a bit of getting used to.
Yesterday at lunch a group of 3 girls sat down beside me, cramming themselves around a table for two... hhhmmm... interesting as there were many other free, larger tables. Anyhow, it was a good opportunity to talk with them and I asked lots of questions about the differences in the culture here as compared to the rest of the Middle East. As interesting as that was, I must admit that it was nice to just be able to talk to some women for a change! I've come to the realization that, although women are trouble most of the time ;-), it's quite a lonely world without them.
Today I took a trip out to another castle - Saladin - which has the coolest location of all thus far: perched atop a hill with cliffs on all sides! Perhaps the nicest thing was the countryside, though. Pine covered slopes gave off a scent that sent me back to the Rockies and home. Wow, I can't wait to get back and do some backpacking/camping... I really must do more overnights in the mountains this summer.
Lattakia Hotels
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