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Syria 1
Syria is one of my two MFCs (Most Favourite Countries). I have been there now three or four times and I can honestly say that the only thing that got on my nerves is the fact that you need a visa which is not that easy to get. However, once in Syria, it's all bliss: the Arab culture, the mouthwatering food, the overwhelming friendliness of the people, the sound of the muezzin calling to prayer in the early mornings…
- This and the following pictures were taken in the ruins of Palmyra, about 210km east of Damascus.
- Palmyrean ruins are a curious mixture of Greek and Roman elements; they date mostly from around 100 to 200 AD. This is a sarcophagus from the local museum.
- The famous central four-by-four where the two main city avenues intersect(ed).
- The foreground shows (a small) part of the main ruins; to the left is the aforementioned ensemble of 16 columns. In the background is the oasis of Tadmor (the dusty town that sprung up near the ruins) with its palm groves.
- Part of a temple. The greenery suggests water but Palmyra itself is completely dry… engulfed by the desert on three sides.
- This is a view of the main temple. The shade given by the columns is a very good thing in high summer: during our first visit (September 2001) we literally dragged ourselves from column to column to avoid the burning sun.
- Next stop: Damascus
$updated from: Syria 1.htxt Thu 27 Apr 2017 10:06:49 thomasl (By Thomas Lauer)$