Fascinating Damascus

Had a wonderful weekend in Damascus staying in a lovely hotel in the Old City called Beit Al Mamlouka. Wandered round the narrow lanes with cars missing each other, the walls and the pedestrians by centimetres. Looking in the shops and spending a bit of money! In the main courtyard near the main mosque is a shop called 'Hassahn's' where I always buy some wonderful tablecloths. Hassahn himself has been there for years and has recently shown the British Foreign Secretary and President Carter round the area. He is a real character and it is well worth visiting his shop for a chat if nothing else!

The Street called Straight has recently been renovated. It is always difficult to control renovation with reconstruction and spoil the unique ambience of an area. I think that on the whole a good job has been done. It is no use sanitising the place just for tourists and it is lovely that it is full of Syrians going about their business with a few tourists mingling in the crowds.

How different it all is from Jordan. And how amazing it is to me that within half a mile at
the borders there are different flags, different uniforms, different allegiances and a totally different country. Syria is a fascinating country with the most wonderful places to visit but I think Jordan is my home! T