Damascus – a historical wonder
Posted by Júlíana Björnsdóttir - 20/10/09 at 10:10:16 am
Photo by Faleh Zahrawi
When I was 21 years old I had a sense of being invincible! I wanted to experience a proper adventure, and found my solution in an overland trip. 4 months of camping, driving all the way from London to Cairo, and from Nairobi to Cape Town. The purpose of the trip for me was to get to know the continent I had dreamed of seeing since I was a little five year old, looking at pictures from the dark continent (as Afeica was once called). I did not want to be staying in hotels away from the nature; I wanted pure exposure to the elements.
Prior to arriving in North Africa, the trip took us through an enchanting part of the world, the Middle East. Ten days prior to the departure date two planes flew into the World Trade Centre, changing the world as we knew it. My plan of going to the Middle East certainly concerned my family a great deal, but I was determined to go. And so I did, along with an equally adventurous friend of mine!
We passed through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordon, and Egypt. My favourite city in this part of the world, is without a doubt Damascus. Damascus is the city in which I felt utterly miserable health-wise but the one city that fascinated me the most. It is a wonderful city. Unlike other cities I had visited, the buildings and the narrow streets told a story of a great city; first sign of inhabitation can be dated back as far as 8-10.000 years.
But what I loved the most was the people, the Damascene. Syrian people are the friendliest I have ever encountered. Being an olive-skinned brunette I did not feel like an outsider wearing my shawl to cover my hair, a long skirt to cover my legs, and a long-sleeved shirt to cover my arms and middle section. I remember a conversation I had with a store-owner in the market by the Umayyad Mosque where he asked me why I was not married. I was not offended in any way, I understood that in their culture that is simply a tradition. He even offered me tea, and I politely accepted.
But I was not invincible! This city is so remarkable that yours truly, suffering from a nasty case of diarrhea, walked around on a hot day, all covered up, until I had no choice but to go back to the campsite. Imagine looking for toilet facilities every 15 minutes! The diarrhea part was my fault, but it was worth it… The street vendors do after all make the best kebab!
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