Left Madaba on monday and stopped by Jerash, an old Roman ruin- dad you would have loved it. There was a very well perserved theature, Hadrian's arch (he visited here too), amazing mosaic floor in a church, temples to Jupiter and Diana, as well as huge columnade boulevards. It was a very good last stop in Jordan. Arrived in Syria yesterday after a relitively easy boarder crossing, us/canada boarder way more intense. Damascus is a great city, feels very European. Our hotel is on a tree lined street and the traffic is was less crazy than in Cairo. Contrary to popular belief there are not car bombs going off and tourist being kidnapped, it is funny to think this place is thought of by so many americans to be a scary place full of terriorst. Everyone we have met has been very friendly and welcomes us to their country. I am so glad to be here experiencing the real middle east not the one they descibe on the news.
On that note, we went in to the forth most sacred sight for muslims today Umayyad mosque, only behind mecca, medina, and a site in Jeurulsum, so there were more tourists from Iran and other muslim countries than westerners. People were crying, touching the tomb of John the Baptist and Hussin something, the grandson of Mohammed. Many of the women were in full black berkas that covered even their faces, they were nothing but black shapeless forms. It is still very weird to me to see women so hidden from sight and seperated from men. The mosque itself was beautiful, amazing tile patterns, mosaics, and painted ceilings. It marks the half way point between mecca and istambol.
Also saw the mausoleum of Saladin (the most famous military dude in the area), the "disco" mosque (crazy silvery ceilings that give the impression of a giant disco ball. House the tomb of Hussin from the other mosques daughter, more crying and crazyness), and walked through the markets or souqs.
This afternoon all the ladies from our group went to a Hammam or public bath. It was quite a bonding experience. The bath includes a steam room, being scrubed down by an attendent (lay down on the tiled floor), then soaping up and rinsing in a little fountain like thing, and a massage (which we found to be too short). It was really fun to be in the steamy rooms, all of us not knowing exactly what to do. Definitely not an experience you can find in the a home.
So far we are all really enjoying the Syrian life. There is a great chocolate place and a tasty ice cream spot that rolls the ice cream in thinnly slice pistacios. Tasty, tasty food.
Happy birthday Mercedes and Chris!!! hope everyone who is going to indianola has a great time. Miss you all. Hope to give one more update from syria, otherwise turkey is next. love you.
