Images of Syria: Photos from our family vacation—and one of my new favorite destinations
by Harriet Lewis
November 22, 2011
I visited Damascus, Syria, for 24 hours once during a trip to Lebanon. It was so amazing, I knew I wanted more time there—and I wanted Alan and Charlotte to experience it with me. So we visited as a family this past April.
Syria is a fascinating place to be in 2011. Yes, it’s bustling and vibrant, and the people are warm and engaging—but the people are also living under an oppressive regime. Here in America, we’re used to having opinions about everything … but for Syrians, there’s a hesitancy to say anything controversial. Even the souks are conservative—except for the occasional shops where veiled women browse for more revealing clothing to wear at home.
Just the names of the cities we visited were appealing and exotic to me: Damascus, Palmyra, Aleppo … places we used to study in history class. I loved the souks in Damascus, and the food was terrific—I ate one of the most incredible meals of my life there. In Palmyra, the ruins were just magnificent. We visited an amazing fortress in Aleppo. The entire trip was fabulous, and I would love to go back.
Here are some of my favorite photos from our trip …
Charlotte and me at the oldest nut shop in Damascus.
Me, at a glassblowing shop in Damascus.
We visited a mosque in Damascus that was open to non-Muslims, but we had to completely cover our bodies from head to toe. (Also pictured is our guide, Labib, who was fantastic.)
Outside the mosque, still in traditional dress.
Back on the streets of Damascus, shopping for my favorite souvenirs: charms or talismans.
Alan and me at the incredible ruins of Palmyra.
En route to Palmyra from Damascus, we stopped at an empty restaurant and a Druze family invited us into their kitchen. We made pizza together, and they told us about their culture, which is a minority in the Middle East. They were great people.
Charlotte, Alan, and me, at the fortress in Palmyra.
I'd love to see photos from your adventures. Please share them with me at harriet@oattravel.com.