Welcome to Damascus

Welcome to Damascus, originally uploaded by bartemeo-negro.

So here I am in the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It was old when Abraham came through here much less Paul or Muhammad. So if you've seen the movie "Spy Games" that came out a few years ago, it looks a lot like that in the new city. Of course the old city doesn't, and there isn't any war damage. But as far as the style of buildings and the view from the top of one, etc.

20 million people live in Syria. 5-6 million live in Damascus which is probably only 10-15 miles in radius. Things are cozy... and smoggy. Streets are a 24-7 traffic jam in which lane markers would have been a suggestion if they were visible. If there's 2 feet between vehicles, the taxi behind will try to squeeze into it. Much of the cities substantial police force is relagated each day to enforcing traffic intersections and round-abouts. It seems all a bit too much at first, but you get use to it. Also, I'm not really sure if the word "seatbelt" exists in the Arabic language.

People are pretty nice here and surprisingly laid back. They don't speak much English outside of the Diplomatic and backpacker regions, but they are willing to help if you look helpless enough. But I"ve done well enough for myself getting around and buying food, etc.
Arabic is leaving me a bit befuddled for lack of the ability to memorize vocabulary in the arabic alphabet, but I'm getting there. It's only my 3rd week.

Throwing your garbage out is a little different here. In the States, we let it pile up in a big plastic bag under the sink and throw it into a dumpster or roll it out to the street corner in a big plastic trash can. Here, you tie it up in little plastic grocery bag and take it down stairs with you when you head out each morning. Then you just throw it on the sidewalk in front of the building and walk away. Later on, the street sweepers come by and pick everything up. My neighbor even throws his out the window from the third floor onto the sidewalk. It's all completely normal here.

There should be more photos to come to help all of ya'll get a better feel for where I'm living now. Getting to the old town where the only appropriate internet cafes are is a bit out of my way though. Postings may be intermitant.