Hama rules

I should probably expand that to Hama and its residents rule.
So far, the people of Syria have been the most amazing part of the trip. I know it sounds like a cliche as I see people write this all the time but tonight was an eye opener.
My toenails are in a serious state of disrepair and I went searching for some clippers. Found one but I only had 15 pounds and they were 25. Immediately, a young kid no older than 18 bought them and said “welcome” when I smiled and thanked him. Then he walked off.
Anyhoo, a couple of photos of the dining experiences here. Both completely different but both completely amazing.

Aspasia Restaurant

streetside chicken shwarma

Street life in Damascus

Spent alot of time walking through the Old City of Damascus yesterday, munching away at falafel and chicken shwarmas and getting blown away at the sights and sounds.
It is currently Eid, which is the celebration after Ramadan so the streets and markets are packed with people, mainly kids.
Anyhoo, some photos.

Traffic in downtown

shoes on display

Graffiti in the Old Town

street game of strength

pomegranate juice for sale

Cinnamon for sale

Ceiling lighting in a souq

Kid playing with a toy sniper rifle

Brick Lane

Went to Brick Lane to check out their market. Alot more local as Camden seemed a bit too touristy for my tastes.

Touristy Beer Mats in Brick Lane

Vegetable Pakoras in a Brick Lane eatery

Samosas on display in Brick Lane

Turkish pizzas in Brick Lane

Bison Burger from Noel Fitzjohn at Brick Lane

Graffitied up door in Brick Lane

A possible Banksy tag in Brick Lane

Celebrity sighting, I am told this is a guy from the Apprentice UK

Hats custom made by www.km-toilet.co.uk

Hackney with the brethren

Went to Hackney this afternoon to check out the Vietnamese community. So naturally, this means heading over to a restaurant to see how authentic the food is.
We ended up at Song Que which is a Zagat rated restaurant on Kingsland Road. Very nice. Had some mussels with black bean sauce, chili fried spare ribs and deep fried noodles with beef. Yum.
Its a good thing that we are walking like crazy or we would be gaining massive amounts of weight.

Green mussels in a black bean sauce at Song Que restaurant.

Borough Market

Went to the Borough weekend market today. Possibly the best market I have ever been to. A great foodies market, I had some great fun taking photos.

Sangria with fresh lemons and strawberries

West Indian Chicken Curry

fresh cranberries

grapes

Fresh buffalo mozzarella

Smoked Kippers from the Isle of Man

Cider at Borough Market

Roadside chicken stalls

10,000 Riel ($2.50 USD) in front of Lucky Supermarket on Sihanouk Boulevard.
Tasty.

Barbecue chicken outside Luckys Supermarket

Street food

One of the things I have noticed in the past 6 years of living in Cambodia is that Cambodians love to snack. That being said, there is always a snack cart around the corner to fill your stomach. So without any further delay.

Taken on the three block stroll from my flat to the Phnom Penh Post offices.

Fried Bananas

Ice cream sandwich

Fried noodles with egg

Vietnamese egg McMuffin

Interested in some chicken wings?

Taken along Mao Tse Tung on a random errand.

Chickens headed for the market

Kien Svay with Luu Meng

Out with Luu Meng from Malis restaurant today for a fah Thai story that will probably run in December.
Can’t say what it is about. You will just have to check out their magazine.

Just a couple of interesting photos out of it. We had to walk on this really dodgy bamboo bridge for the story. It was pretty nerve wracking to walk on it with all the camera gear….

A bamboo bridge

Also took some really nice portraits whilst we were there

Charlie Lancaster, the writer, poses in a flower garden

This lady came out to see what the commotion was.