Travel pictures
In 2022 we finally went to Syria. This beautiful and interesting land has been through so much agony and devastation but is slowly coming back to life. Of course some outer areas are still no-go while Western Syria is relatively safe. Thanks to our amazing fixers, Ghaidaa and Ophelia, we were picked up in Beirut and brought to Damascus by taxi. Here we saw a beautiful and interesting city, among the oldest in the World. It is incredible to imagine that there have been people in these streets 4000 years ago! The grand mosque is probably the most beautiful mosque, I have seen with impressive architecture and spectacular mosaics. Walking the narrow streets, having street food kebab and peaking into millennia old churches was just amazing. the same were the souq, the spice markets and the cafés where we smoked shisha along with local families. From Damascus we went north to age-old monasteries of St Thecla and St Bacchus where the nuns were kidnapped by ISIS but now luckily have returned to their beautiful homes. In the city of Maloula, Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still spoken and we witnessed a prayer held in this age-old language. The main spot in this part of the country, however, is magnificent crusader castle Crac de Chevalier, just monumental. It gives an intense feel for the history walking the vaults and corridors of the enormous complex of stone and memories. We stayed two night in Homs, devastated by the war, and walked the ruins, where life is slowly coming back with returning refugees opening shops selling vegetables, meat and doors and windows for which there is much need. Heart warming and comforting. Everywhere, people were friendly and welcomed us. We also strove far East to Roman ruins of Palymyra, UNESCO World Heritage and just spectacular, despite the brutal destruction imposed by the vandals from ISIS. We saw a local parade with children singing and playing in a militaristic manner. Out here, devastation is massive. The vandals even bombed mosques! The trip in the desert were interrupted by many checkpoints but we met nothing but kindness. Back in Damascus we bade farewell to our great guide Ophelia and headed back to Lebanon.
