"In Search Of A Rogue State" Damascus Travelogue by travelinxs

Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, did not disappoint.

We took a mattress on the roof of a cheap hotel, which we did in most of Syria to keep costs down and spent a few days exploring the huge bazaar, impressive Umayyad Mosque and waiting outside our favorite bakery for the chocolate filled croissants to come out of the oven.

We even made the effort to visit the National Museum. The usual vast collection of old things in dusty glass cases. But of special interest was a tiny clay tablet with the oldest complete alphabet ever discovered engraved upon it and another with the first ever musical score. I translated that one in my head and was surprised to discover it was actually the backing track to Kylie Minogues 'I Cant Get You Out Of My Head'.

Grand Bazaar

Sleeping on the roof was unavoidably sociable. We shared our roof space with Paul (Can.), hoping to study Arabic in the city for a couple of weeks. (I hope you’ve bought a good stash of paracetamol with you mate). And Charlie, a larger-than-life Brit, on his second attempt at cycling to Cape Town.

not Charlie

Despite being from 'up north' back in England, Charlie knew my hairdresser in Braunton. Don’t laugh. I do have a hairdresser. I just haven’t seen him in a while. If anyone should bump into James, please tell him Charlie 'Chin' Bradley says hi from Syria.

Charlie had also heard of this guy called Dean, cycling somewhere in Africa. Here I must digress, so please humour me …

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