Aleppo, Syria

Aleppo in the north of Syria is near the border of Turkey.  Had a few days to check things out.  There's a citadel here as well and lots of local markets to wander around in.

Inside the citadel

Walking through the market.  So many choices for food.

Mobile Tea Shop

Pastries everywhere

and...

of course...

MMMMmmmmmmm!!!!

Crac des Chevaliers

The Crac des Chevaliers is a World Heritage Site crusader castle near the border of Lebanon border.  Built in the 1100's BCE.  

Hama, Syria

Hama is famous for it's Norias.  Some of the oldest surviving water wheels in the world.  Sadly, due to record low water levels, the wheels sat quiet and still.

Ancient Aramaic city of Palmyra

The View from the Castle

More Awesome Arab products

Laby SReeb Slick???  What the...???

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Into Syria. The road to Damascus

As I posted before, I made it into Syria after a 5 hour wait of anticipation to see if the Syrian Government was going to issue me a visa at the border.  Headed to Damascus and spent a couple of days wandering around the old city.  Damascus is known for it's souqs (markets) and we arrived on Friday where the souq is closed (as is most everything) due to Friday prayers.  It was nice to be able to walk through the old city during this time as we practically had the place to ourselves.  This was not the case on Saturday where everything basically exploded with people and shops.  Quite a contrast.

Friday

Saturday

There are so many little alleys to get lost in.

In the center of the old city is the The Umayyad Mosque

 and is one of the holiest in the Muslim world.  It is also where John the Baptist's head was found buried underneath.

To enter the Mosque you must be dressed modestly or there are special clothes that can be used while there.

Great foods and smells are all over the old city.

but I just couldn't bring myself to try this.

Thanks, but no thanks, I've got my own pair.

"Error: The requested URL could not be retrieved "

Hello all. I've made into Syria! I wasn't sure if I was going to be allowed in since I did not have a visa before leaving the USA which is what is required (in theory) to enter. After hearing from many other travellers that it is sometimes possible to get a visa at the border I thought I'd try. After 5 hours of waiting at the Syrian border I was given my 15 day visa and an entry stamp. Quite happy about this.

I'm jumping ahead a little with my travels here. I know that I still need to get all of Jordan up on the blog. I'll get to it but looks like it won't be for another week. Syria has many websites that are not allowed to be viewed within Syria. Facebook, Skype and apparently my blog or any blog from Blogspot for that matter.

"ERROR


The requested URL could not be retrieved

Requested URL:http://www.thetransientnomad.blogspot.com/
Error message: Access Denied
Administrator: webmaster."

I found a way to get in to post this message but this is all I will be able to do. So you will all have to wait for those photos.
I'm doing very well. Starting to get sad knowing that I only have 20 days left. It's been flying by but I am still loving it. In Damascus at the moment. I'll be spending 9 days in Syria before heading to the **unmentionable** country where I fly out of. Have to be a bit careful because I would not have been allowed in had the border guards known that I have been or plan on going to **unmentionable**. I'll give a hint...It's occupied Palestine. If you've been following me, then you know where my last country in the middle east is. If not, well, you'll just have to wait. At least I can still check my email.