In Damascus, Syria

• Posted by: Geo Kearley
• Comments: 8

We’re in Damascus, Syria. We left Jordan yesterday, and made a quick stop in the old Roman city of Jerash before crossing the border. It was an amazing old columned – street city (the longest Roman road in existance) , complete with Roman amphitheather, several churches with amazing mosaics (still in tact), and an enormous Temple to Artemis. The place has been a working archeological site for 50 years, and it probably will be one for another 80 years. There were fallen facades , pilars and buildings laying asembled on the ground, ready to be rebuilt. It was know as the city of 1,000 pillars. The temple would have been the largest in the world, had it not been destroyed by earthquakes.

The border crossing was pretty casual – between our congenial, sweet talking bus driver, Nazeer, and our efficient and knowledgable Jordan guide Fiasel, we were practically welcomed and swept into the country. People in Syria are justifiably concerned with creating a good impression on visitors – and they do – they are genuinely friendly and helpful. There are almost no Western tourists here at all – most of the tourists are from Iran and Afganistan.

We spent much of yesterday and today visiting the old walled city of Damascus, wandering its souks and visiting the mosque where John the Baptist is enshrined. Was he ever enshrined – in an elaborate gold and green glass outer sarcophagus, with a highly ornate casket inside. The mosque itself was decorated in the most amazing gold mosaics depicting several scenes from the Bible, and many beautifully rendered trees. It makes you believe that at one time, long ago, this really could have been considered the land of milk and honey. It’s a desert landscape now…

It’s lots of fun to wander the souks and bargain in the shops with the merchants.There’s an incredible selection of spices, wooden marketry and antiques for sale. It’s difficult to buy anything, as there’s so much choice. Tomorrow we’re on the road again.

As always – we miss everyone and our doggies.

Noel & George

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Date posted :	Jul 22, 2008
Last modified :	Dec 18, 2008
Categories :	Middle East, Syria
Tags :	Damascus