Syria (Damascus) Sept/Oct 2008 D-2

As the current weather during the days was hot and dry in Jordan, I decided to head north to Syria, to escape the heat. At around 7.30am, I took a service taxis (1JOD=Rm5.30) to the JETT bus office at (Muhajireen bus station) and bought a bus ticket (8.50JOD=Rm45) for my journey to Damascus. The bus departed at around 9.00am and arrived at the Syrian border around 10.00am. All passengers had to get down from the bus and present their passports for immigration clearance. No hassle encountered by all our bus passengers at this border crossing. Malaysian passports do not require a visa so no visa fee was paid. I arrived at Damascus around 1.00pm and together with two backpackers from UK, we shared a taxis (100SP=Rm7.60 each) and check in to our hostel (Al-Rabie - 500SP=Rm38 for a dorm bed) in Sharia Bahsa , Souq Saroujah, Central Damascus.

After a short rest at the hostel, three of us went to a local Syrian bank to change some money. Next we walked to the old Damascus area. We passed the Damascus citadel surrounded by walls, Roman Arch, the great Omayyard mosque (built in 705AD) and the Souk Al-Hamiddieyeh (Bazaar). The bazaar has hundreds of shops selling a diversified range of clothing, gifts, accessories & perfumes.

Lunch was at a restaurant in Old Souq and my main menu ordered was a kebab dish (made from beef, chicken & lamb) and together with a glass of juice & side dish, I shared the food bill by paying 600SP=Rm45.60 per person. After the meal, we parted and I was on my own taking my own sweet time to explore the old Damascus area .

Tonight, I took a stroll at the busy shopping arcade in Downtown Damascus. In contrast with the old Damascus, all the shops in this place were brightly lighted up and full of people, a real shopping haven !

Syria has a dessert type of landscape. Damascus has a 4,000 years history, no wonder is gazetted as a civilised wonder of the world !

"Citadels, Roman arches, souks , ancient mosques, castles, fortresses, khans, amphitheaters, old churches, historical baths etc - Awe & magnificence especially their architecture design, superb structure & color reflecting the greatness of an ancient, mysterious civilization"