Slacking

Since I have been back from vacation, I have been completely slack for the blog. Sorry about that.
Slowly getting back into the swing of things. Just a couple of photos from the trip that are worthy of posting but couldn’t because of my pano software being a little buggy. Now that it is fixed, I can give you a couple of panoramas from Syria.
First one is from Crak des Chevaliers or Qala’at Al-Hosn which TE Lawrence once dubbed “the finest castle in the world”(Thanks Lonely Planet). Amazing castle with lots to check out.
Second pano is of western Aleppo which is the second biggest town in Syria. Taken from the Citadel, you can see the massive souq or market below.

In Lebanon

After a four hour wait at the Syrian-Lebanese border, we are now in Tripoli in transit to Beirut which is our final destination before heading back to Cambodia.
These photos were taken at the border where after being bored for the first two hours, a young Lebanese girl decided that I was the focus of all her attention and played with me for a good hour thereafter before her parents decided that I was getting a bit tired from all the attention.

my lebanese play buddy at the border

Aleppo

In Aleppo for our last couple of days in Syria. We have decided that it would be best to stay in one country for two weeks next time. You miss too many things. That and we are sick of unpacking and packing for two days at a time considering how full our bag are!
Anyhoo, some photos from the past few days.

Kids smoking in the Umayyad mosque

A bike parked in the old city of Hama

Freshly baked flat bread smothered with olive oil and zatar

An underground bar at Biet Issi

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