Jerusalem

Posted on April 21st, 2008 in Israel, Middle East by robjkentjr
Everything about getting into Israel was complicated.  We technically never even left Jordan because immigration did not stamp our passports but Israel made sure to question us for 3.5 hours before letting us in.
Since it was Passover and Orthodox Easter, we were lucky to find a bed because of all the pilgrims there.  Here is the Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock in the background.
We saw all types observers there.  I am actually not sure where he is from but if I had to guess, I would say Western Africa because of the fly swatters they carry.
If this is not a poster for allowing guns in school, what is?  I personally like the Tevas and socks.
There are no cars allowed in within the walls of Jerusalem so it was interesting to see how they picked up the garbage and how tight of a squeeze it was.
Dome of the Rock was another beautifully decorated mosque.  The biggest regret we had was that Israel security let us into the Temple Mount complex for only an hour.
After that hassle, this family once again saved us with Middle Eastern hospitality.  Sitting on their step eating some pizza breads, we started talking to their son.  The next thing we know, they invited us inside and fed us dinner.  We stayed there talking for 4 hours.
These last 4 years, we have seen many bananas being grown.  But growing them in the middle of the dessert does not make any sense to me.  The stalks of these plants are like water logs.
Jerusalem is the most expensive city we have been in for a long time.  A shawarma sandwich with fries and salad was a ridicules $15 there, in Damascus it is only $2.50.  We will let you know how much it is in Amman, Jordan.

Highlights of Hama

Posted on April 17th, 2008 in Middle East, Syria by robjkentjr
For our last week in Syria, we saved the best region to see us off.  This area around Hama has too many sites worth seeing and since we only had two days, we broke down and hired a driver to take us to the highlights.
We arrived in Hama after dark and then left early the next morning so the only chance I had to take pictures of the water wheels was 5:00 am that morning.  The farmers used these to irrigate their fields up to 10 km away.
The first stop on our tour frenzy was the beehive houses.  Still used, these make a great hideaway from the scorching summer sun.  They even come with the optional ceiling fan.
Qasr Ibn Wardan was at one time a monastary in the middle of nowhere.  Now it is just another old building to stop and look at on the side of the road.
Closed when we got there, the Shaizar Castle appeared to be impenetrable enough to us from across the crevasse.
A hidden gem in Syria, Apamea is a promenade of Roman columns surrounded by bountiful green fields of wheat.  And sheep.
When we first saw Masyaf Castle, the entire complex dazzled us with its size and elaborate system of chambers but then…
…we saw Krak des Chevaliers.  Truly from the storybooks of castles and princesses, this place brings those fantasies to life.

Damascus and the people here will always have a place in our heart.  If you ever have a chance to visit, ignore the television and go.  It will change your impression of the Middle East forever.


Now done with Syria, we are off to Jerusalem (if they let us in).  For those emails that I have not replied to, I am sorry, my computer finally died after 4 years of tough tropical travel and I lost my inbox.
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