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Monday 2004-05-10 - Damascus, Syria
Travel blogging for the first time
We walk via a medressa (with computer-cataloged public library) and another mosque (Shi’ite, all glitter, men and women separated, but within that framework still very relaxed) to the Christian quarter of Damascus where we have a nice early lunch with a cup of yellow lentil soup.
From there we go to the Al-Azem palace where we see the exhibits and have a nice cup of Turkish coffee in the pleasant courtyard. Then we go to Jabri House (Beit Jabri), an 18th-century house, renovated and turned into a restaurant; in the corner of the courtyard is an Internet cafe. We want to try whether we can really email from Syria, since our tour companion had told us that was not possible — but I didn’t quite believe her.
It turns out that the friendly manager of the Jabri House Internet cafe we spoke to yesterday was right — it’s no problem to use email: so for the first time I use my system to email to my travel blog — and it all works! I treat my companions to a round of drinks (freshly pressed juices) in the pleasant courtyard. I’m so happy that it all actually works now!
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.
