PALMYRA
Our trusty steed, Hasty, managed to drive us smoothly from our loveable Old City Damascene experience (and craziness) straight into the rising sun.. and back into the desert. A quick stop at Baghdad Cafe 66 along the way, ensured we met some lovely hospital people with a great sense of humour! We were also invited into their bedouin tent and shown how to play a weird musical instrument (cross between a guitar and a violin.. only with 1 string!!). Smiles abounding.. we again drove off towards the unfathomable Palmyra.
Palmyra basically consists of Roman ruins covering hectares upon hectares of what was once an amazing thriving city in 2nd Century AD. Dad, Walle and Fred were astounded and rated this experience as no. 1 on the travels so far! (9/10 - a rather serious score considering the harshness of these critics). I have to say, their timing was impeccable though.. the weather was perfect - the sun was shining, the sky was blue and the air crisp and filled with excitement and awe. Of course, my previous experience, a year before, was something quite different. The wind howled and blew sand sand and more sand into a stormish atmosphere, the air was unbreathable, the sky was bleak and the visability poor. Coupled with the fact that I had (one of) my worst 'sleeziest men' experiences in this town.. well, let's just say.. this time round, Palmyra was a winner.
Thus, Tip No. 2.
Never judge a place, people or an experience from one occassion. Yes, yes - although we all know this.. it's amazing how things can taint us. Possibly this trip I have loved places and experiences more and more - perhaps it's because of my accompanying travelling trio, perhaps because I am gettting by with more Arabic, perhaps because I'm a little more familiar with what to expect...
DEIR EZ ZOR
Undoubtedly, this is the town where emotions ran the highest and we were treated with the most bountiful Arabic hospitality. Why?? Well, this is where Fred's grandfather was born and raised. With only a name and the vague directions to ask for the football stadium and look for the houses across from the main entrance, unbelievably, managed to find his grandfather's family!!! With my scarcely broken Arabic and our faces filled with anticipation, pleeding for help.. we asked some people, who asked some other people, who said to talk with the Falafel selling guy, who said to talk to this guy across the street. And voila!!!! We met his Grandfathers nephews and families. Rushed into their homes with hugs, kisses, amazingly emotional faces and the atmosphere of having found long lost relatives, we were then subjected to drinking tea after tea after tea.. with an occasional coffee thrown in. Needless to say, Fred was so touched by all of this and, of course, Dad, Walle and I felt so priviledged to have experienced this. Not just to have 'experienced this' but, more so - to have been considered part of the family and treated so soulfully wonderful, so royally, so.. (well, actually - I'm lost for words to describe it all!)
Anyway.... wiping the tear from my eye.. let's move on to our trip up along the Euphrates River towards our next little camping spot on route to Aleppo.. (and hopefully next installment.. photos :)
meg xx
What an awesome commentary of your travels, you clever woman! It all sounds truely amazing and I am so envious of your wonderful experience. It is inspiring me to do the same, which of course I wanted to do anyway.You are missed here in Abu Dhabi and I am so pleased I met you. Keep in touch and look forward to meeting up again some day. I am going to look at your photos now.
Cheers
Luv Michelle Edwards
