Food (1) in Syria

The food in the Arabic countries is very distinct and different from the west and also the Asia. They are delicious and varied. It's inexpensive to dine at the restaurants or buy the food. The taste of the local people can be very salty or too sweet.

Tartus-People

The folks in Tartus are very friendly. I was invited into their houses or joined their conversation when families or friends gathered outside to drink mate or smoke water pipes. The area of the old city and the Award island are small, but it's interesting to walk around in those narrow alleyways and explore their beauty.

Tartus-Seashore

Last week, I traveled to Tartus, a seaport at the west of Syria. The hot air made me sweat all the time when I visited the streets and the seashore. But, it's wonderful to see the ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and smell it from the air.

The dead cities

A dead city at the north of Aleppo


The ruined basilica of Qala'at at Samaan



The Roman-era tombs cut into the rock at Qatura.

There are a lot of dead cities in the north part of Syria. Most of them are Roman-era ruins, including the famous Qala'at at Samaan. However, they are located in the remote areas. It's not easy to get to these places since no bus gets to them. I was able to visit only some of them from a hotel's tour.

Aleppo-Mosque

This is a small mosque near the citadel in Aleppo.

A grandfather entered the pray room with his grandson at Great Mosque in the old city.

Two prayed at Great Mosque when the group praying had finished.

The blind folks spent their time at Great Mosque.

Aleppo-Market

There are some interesting markets in Aleppo. I didn't spend too much time in the markets at the old city area. However, the chaos and great energy at a vegetable and fruit market outside the old city attracted me a lot. The market seemed open all day long. More people shopped at night than during the day time. The loud shouting from vendors could be heard every corner of the market.

Aleppo was an important trading post on the silk road route. Even now, the wholesale business can been seen anywhere in the city. It's also famous for making olive oil soaps. I didn't run into any soap factory but walked through one street near the old city where there were a lot of shops making cheese.

Aleppo-Streets

Aleppo is the second biggest city in Syria. It's located on the north of the country. The city is very old and has a lot of historical houses in the old city and Al-Jdeida areas. I also went to a huge park near the train station where the local folks socialize with friends or family. It's always lot of fun to see something interesting, such as several men gathering around to play games with bottle' caps and stones.

Beehive Houses

Some villages near Hama have some interesting housing structure, called beehive house. The tour book that I have mentioned that some local people still live in this egg-shape clay houses. When I was in Hama, I managed to get to Sarouj to see them. It seems like most people live in modern houses now and use the beehive houses as storage or chicken coops. On the way back to Hama, we visited one Bedouin family. Even though they live in tents, they do have the satellite.

Hama-People

People in Hama, Syria, are very friendly. Several came to me, and some of them offered me tea. One boy wanted to follow me around in a park. And one high school girl bought me a lunch after approaching me. My brain couldn't come up enough words in Arabic to have a long conversation with them.

Hama-Street

Last week I went to Hama, which is located in central Syria. Being there three days, I wandered around the parks, markets and streets and visited a few norias (used for irrigation) along the Orontes River. It's a lovely city to hang around. The water wheels, norias, are very impressive.