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Monday 2004-05-10 - Damascus, Syria
Old traditions still alive
Behind the Umayadd Mosque there is a pleasant cafe where on some evenings a traditional story teller comes to tell a few stories. We’re lucky: he’s here tonight. Of course we don’t understand a word of what he’s saying but that doesn’t matter. It’s quite amusing to watch and listen to — obviously first the setting of the scene, then the meat of the story, followed by the climax. He’s sitting there with his story book, a red fez on his head, glasses on his nose, a sword he’s gesturing with at times, and every one present is captivated. Of course, if you can understand it’s even funnier: two young men sitting at the window explode in giggles at times and are almost as amusing as the story teller himself. Interesting to note though how it’s not just tourists but also locals who come here to listen to him. It’s a great end to our stay in Damascus.
