This picture already tells you half the history of this mosque. It was first an Aramean temple, then a Roman temple, then a church and now one of the most magnificent mosques in the Arabic country's. But for me it is most importantly such a vivid place. All kind of people walk here, pray but also just enjoying the peacefull place and the sunny courtyard. I sat against one of the pilars for half an hour just taking in the atmosphere
Trees and Magda
Me against my pilar
On the third day we took a taxi into the country. Sand, mountains and amazing views.
All the way to this monastary. It is a 1000 years old, but only since 30 years it is in use again. It is now eucomenic, and a wonderfully welcome place.
To get there you have to make a little walk, surrounded by these amazing desert jasmins,
And up all these stairs....
Inside there is this amzing little chapel from 1100 bc and there are still fresco's there that are just as old.
Paradise
Hell
Art outside
Then we went to krak de chevalier. That is just amazing. Read the history here
Flowers in the desert have got something very special about them.
Eating and drinking in Syria for me is a real feast!!! Sweet and savory, food and drinks. Here you see, we were only just out of bed and bought these sweets. They don't taste very nice, but the look of them just makes you want to buy them!!!!
Everywhere you can buy fresh juice. They will juice oranges, pomegranets, mullberries, strawberrys and what else, for you in a pretty glass, ready to enjoy on every cornor of the street
In spring time fresh vergetables are no problem!
As Syria is very close to Turkey, Turkish coffee with cardamom is a common drink.
Outside, enjoying Roman remains in the middle of a shopping street
This is my absolute favorite! Baba ganoush! Very different from the baba ganoush we have here in Holland or I know from Marokko. It is roasted eggplant, finally chopped with a knife, mixed with springonions, bellpeppers, nuts, and pomegranate. And ofcourse olive oil. You eat this with flatbread.
Ofcourse Hummus.
In Damascus you will eat in a restaurant like this. There are so many of these old damascene houses that are restored and in the courtyard there are restaurants. Most of them have a roof over the restaurant. Warm in winter nice and cool in summer. This one has an orangetree in the courtyard.
And this I had never had before. It is lemonjuice mixed with fresh mint. Amazing!
Syria is great for all kinds of sights and all kinds of historical places. But for us, the most amazing still is the everyday life! And the best place for that to be found is the suq (market). It is just amazing how different life can be in an other country!
Suq's are themed. This picture is made in the sweets suq. Everywhere little shops and stands with sweets in all colours and flavours.
As you can imagine this was made in the fabric and clothes suq.
The two women with whom I travelled. In blue Trees, and in green Magda. (sweets suq)
The overall view is just amazing with all the colours, the flags and all beautifull different people.
Click to enlarge