Syria

I got a quick two day trip into Syria. I know many find Syria beautiful.
So I dislike their entry/exit/ visa regulations. As long as you don’t
discuss politics you will have a great time!

The first stop after crossing the border was the Roman city of Busra.
A European choir sang one sang in the center of the theatre which
was great. Some local kids where playing football among the ruins
which was hilarious. Next we headed to Damascus and had quick
lunch (manakeesh pastries) and some fresh juice drinks, I took mine
with cream which was amazing. After that took a hike in some hills,
rested and then had a picnic. That evening we headed over to the
old city, which is so beautiful it reminds me of the old city of
Jerusalem. Locals tell me Damascus is among the oldest cities
the world. The Al Hamidiyeh Souq in the old city is a lot of fun
and we went to have ice cream at Bakdash which makes it as
it was made when established around 1885. Only a few spots in
the world make it this way – I guess the other place is in Turkey.

In Syria lots of eating, walking around, and shopping in the souk.
Things are cheaper than Jordan so I took advantage of buying
some stuff. I entered the Ummayad Mosque (Grand Mosque).
I had to rent a brown cloak to cover up. Families are just hanging
out in the courtyard, children are running around. When we left
a man said to my friend in Arabic to teach us foreigners about
Islam to convert (but he is Christian so that is not happening).
Oh yeah he had to wear a skirt to cover his knees since his shorts
were above his knees. It was funny to see even the security with
out shoes/socks. This mosque was a church that was dedicated
to John the Baptist. Even the pope has visited it.

More good Syrian/Lebanese food. Can you ever get enough?
I always like to try new things as well as ordering the same
favorites. Some get sick in Syria, luckily I was traveling with
people who know where to go. I got into a USA political
conversation with a French guy and my Jordanian friend said
he would leave me at the border with the secret police if they stop
me. I will not forget this???? Also I pointed to a picture of their
leader because I was amazed that cars will have the entire back
window with a picture of him, I was told not to point.

By the way, I traveled with a total of nine people in a large SUV
5 guys and 4 girls or 7 Jordanians passport holders and 2 expats.
I think our dinners had 15-20 people at the table.

YES pictures will come. Next trip Beirut!

UAE weekend

I as see the time passing I realized I have to start planning my
regional travel. My first trip visit a good friend Phillip in Abu Dhabi. I
had to go before it got any hotter, that weekend it was 100 degrees
and getting hotter by the week. I trotted around the UAE from
Thurs to Tues. My first night we met up with a small group in Dubai
from our Leb Camp. I really miss Asian and Mexican food. So went
out for Japanese in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), which is the
South Beach of Dubai. Then we went out Salsa dancing with live
music. I got to dance salsa, meringue, bachata and sip a nice sangria.
Next we went around the corner for live Arabic music and danced till
we could not anymore. It was really nice being able to dress and act
however I want. The next day we went out for Thai, I had an ice chai
tea latte – so nice. Then we went out to el Ain, which is a two hour
drive to bath in the spring water. El Ain is small city that is almost all
Emirates and Pakistan’s as compared to the UAE which is ¾ expats.
The mountain view was nice and nice to see all the families picnic
together. Especially in UAE I always wonder if family have second
wives or just other female relatives. In the bath house, of course
men and woman are separate. But we still had to cover up. I wore
cotton t-shirt and capris over my bathing suit and a shower cap.
My god this was a funny site. In many woman only places you have
to check in your camera or phone with camera ability. Its pretty
interesting that I know more basic Arabic from 3 months in Jordan
than some who have lived in Dubai for several years. That night
we hung out again on the strip in JBR, Dubai. I loved all the
people watching a real mix of east and west.

The next day we headed off to Abu Dhabi. We went out for this
big Lebanese meal and I gave my friend a hard time that they
would throw out all the leftovers so we took them Which ended
up being a grocery bag of leftovers and he laughed as he carried it
home. Arab people waste a lot of food, they want to give you more
food than you can possibly eat which makes them good hosts … and
they also want to have a selection of food. I don’t believe in waste,
and after my time in Kenya I will do my best not to allow this.

The next day my plan was to head to the Cornish. The beach is my
favorite place in the world. The water is so beautiful. But is was funny
that they have so much construction that it takes a minute to fully
escape. I don’t think you can escape the construction in UAE. Next
we did a little shopping in the Abu Dhabi mall, I was looking for cute
things that are appropriate for Jordan. I bought one X-L shirt in a
little girls store. That evening we went bicycle riding to the Cornish.
Getting there was a bit adventurous. I told him – I don’t have health
insurance – please god protect me . The curbs are over a foot tall,
I think they did this so people can’t park on the sidewalks. I found out
many drive SUV who like to drive on sand dunes.

The second day I decided to try the public beach which is in the
middle of the private beaches. Everything is the same. But then I
realized it was like 20-30 men and 4 -5 foreign woman. At every
minute a least 5 men are starring with out blinking. A combo of
service workers, Pakistan, Pilipino, and Egyptians. As much as I
hate this, I realized from their perspective we are like pin up
ads. Look at how their woman dress and we want to comfortably
walk around in a bikini with out being starred at. So most woman
do pay to go to the private beach and there is a reason for this.
Now I know. What also fascinates me that a significant portion of
men wear all white and woman wear all black - it represents
little individualism and more homogeneity group attributes in
the culture.

I appreciate Dubai more this time, Beirut and Dubai are my Miami
in the MidEast. Dam I am a city girl - eating cosmopolitan food,
dancing freely, showing skin. Yes I do need this.