Syria Jordan Egypt Tour Journal

Day 06 Aleppo - Halep April 22, 2010 Thursday

Grand Umayyad Mosque - . The women had to wear the long coats. We took out our shoes off before we walked in the court yard. It was immaculate. The black and yellow stone on the floor was reflecting the heat of the sun. If felt very nice stepping on the warm stone. the court yard was surrounded with colonnaded galleries on three sides. There were 2 big fountains in the middle of the court yard and the fourth side was the long narrow mosque.

The 12th Century mosque has been built on the grounds of a Byzantine church. the warm color of the wood of the mimber and the beautifully decorated mihrap gave a very pious feeling to the mosque. There were only few people worshipping.

From the mosque we walked to the citadel. we made a short stop at the Vezir Han - 16th Century Ottoman Han. It took Meli 15 seconds to purchase a beautiful carpet. While the group members were deciding on which soap or scarf they want to buy, Meli's carpet was already paid for. A five minute walk took us to a spectacular view. On the top of a hill stood a majestic citadel. We stopped for a drink. We were introduced to lemon- mint drink which is unique to Aleppo. Before we finished our drinks in a fraction of a second a storm started blowing towards us. the umbrellas were quickly gathered. We could see the clouds and we expected a bad rain storm but in few seconds the wind stopped and it again was a beautiful warm day.

The citadel was grand, impressive, mind boggling. It was huge, well preserved and a one of a kind fortress which the architecture was designed for the comfort and the protection of the royal family. It was used for 11 hundred years and it still looked like it could have been built yesterday.
When we finished the tour of the citadel, we went across the street to a mosque to use the rest rooms. The Imam him self made sure that the bathroom was washed and cleaned for us. We are very impressed with the hospitality of the Syrian people

They gently served us coffee. Then came the plates of food. Wheat, rice and chicken with ayran as a drink was served. there was enough food for at least fifty people. Even Fred, who did not like chicken had admitted that this was excellent.

Once the food was happily consumed we started talking with the men who were all either brothers or cousins. As Don was sharing with them the pictures of his family, the young hosts were videoing us with their telephones. We tried to assure them that the Americans People were not necessarily responsible for the American policies. There was lots of laughter and good wishes .We did not see the women who were preparing the food. We could hear a baby crying. Not to be intrusive we did not ask if we could see the women.
We said goodbye and left the tent. we did not realize how time had passed. We were at the tent for two hours.
As the bus wise driving away from the tent, we saw that our hosts were still waving good bye.

One hour back to the city. We visited the Acikbas Museum. A 17th century house built for a Turkish Pasha.
The structure of the house was typical of residential architecture since the time of the Romans. The doors of the rooms opening to a courtyard with high beautifully decorated walls and a pool in the middle. Each room had a display of what the room pf particular use will be decorated like.
the bridal room, the room of the Pasha, the room of the mother in law , the room of the guests....

Aleppo was a good window to see what the Syrians like to shop for here. Hundreds of shops with the most sexy clothing for women, some hand made material and spices. We did not find much to buy but we did see that Chinese products are dominating the souk.