How was Syria?
I’ve had a ton of people ask me what I thought of Syria so I figured I would dedicate a post to it. I had heard sooo much negative stuff about Syria that I arrived expecting the worst but it wasn’t that bad. Border security didn’t give me any issues even though I had a Canadian passport. No one asked for a bribe or even hinted to wanting something. The road from the borders to Damascus was gorgeous and reminded me of the drive from LA to Vegas. Damascus is and looks really old and everyone seems very poor but one things for sure, they sure know how to make the most amazing kebabs. The first night I had dinner at a restaurant called Abu Kamal and they had the best kebab’s I ever tried. The restaurant had been around for over 60 years so I figured they had time to get the formula right but next day for lunch I stopped by this random kebab place on the street and again I had the best kebab I’ve ever had! How the hell is it so easy for them to get kebab so perfect?? I could probably walk into a bakala and ask for kebab and it would be the best kebab in the world. The prices are also sooo cheap!
The hotel I stayed in was called Semiramis Hotel. The website says its 5 stars but I don’t know how thats possible. The hotel was decent, I am guessing for Syrian standards its like superb but it really was just standard. The room was big and the location of the hotel was right in the city, walking distance from a lot of things. I had some free time the next morning and headed to the famous Syrian souk (forgot the name) which was ok I guess, not my style.
The airport was the biggest disappointment. Its old, small, unorganized, dirty and boring. But my Damascus stay wasn’t bad, I wouldn’t go there on a vacation but I didn’t mind passing through.
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20 Comments, add your own...
1. Mohamed Marwen Meddah | May 11th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
One of the things I’ll never forget about Damascus is the great food.
The Fatteh I had in Beit Jabri, a restaurant in the souks of old downtown Damascus, is the best I’ve ever had. Anyone passing by Damascus should try that too.
2. Yousef | May 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I wouldn’t say the drive from LA to Vegas is “gorgeous”. I’ve been on it lots of times and its boring. It becomes gorgeous the minute the desert ends and Vegas begins to show on the horizon, especially at night. Priceless. 7amdillah 3asalama btw.
3. Hal | May 11th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
If the souk you’re referring to is the one in the picture, then that’s Al Hamiddiyeh. Glad you enjoyed it!
4. Mark | May 11th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I love the emptiness and randomness you find on such routes. I passed by a couple of gas stations on this road for example that I am sure haven’t been updated since the 60’s o 70’s.
5. zaydoun | May 11th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Since you regularly announce the Villa Moda sales here on your blog, you should’ve passed by their beautiful store in Damascus… if only to see who actually shops there!
6. Nobu | May 11th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
If the kebabs are so great in Damascus, and I trust your opinion, why can’t someone get a couple of these Syrian chefs and open an “authentic” kabab place in q8 and wipe “Kababji” out of the market? It can’t be that difficult.
7. mocman | May 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
how much was the hotel room for?
8. crocko rock | May 11th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Looks like shit in the pics.
How are the bars and pubs Mark?
9. ziza | May 11th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Mark:
” I wouldn’t go there on a vacation but I didn’t mind passing through ”
It sounds like your stay was very short and unplanned..and the only thing you did while ur there is looking for food …..may i ask how did you came to this conclusion?
10. TanGo | May 11th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
TRUE, Syria (and Turkey) have the best Kebab,,
Its the quality of the meat,, good mutton on natural grazing..
11. Mark | May 11th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
ziza very simple.. I think would I rather go to London or Syria? Would I rather go to New York or Syria? Would I rather go to Amsterdam or Syria? Would I rather go to Montreal or Syria? Would I rather go to LA or Syria? Since my answer never was Syria thats how I came to that conclusion.
12. ziza | May 11th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Mark:
I think the reason you would rather go to London or any of the other cities u mentioned and not to Syria is because of your previous PLANNED trips to these cities or at least of what you heard from people who been there..etc
But am sure if you would plan a trip to Syria you may change your preferences, Apart form Amsterdam..i have been to all the cities that u mentioned above at least 4 to 5 times..these cities are fake and have no soul or character - Concrete Jungle - But Syria is totally different it has a soul..which require to develop a taste for such.
Don worry this comes with age..when ur interests change ;-)
13. ziza | May 11th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
A couple of cities with character:
Havana, Athens, Quebec City, Rome..
14. Samer | May 11th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Kebab? That’s it? PM me next time you’re heading there. There’s this shawerma place that serves ENORMOUS sized shawermas. Garlic heaven.
15. Fabio | May 12th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Hi Mark
Your comment to ziza was !@#$%^^&*&( :/. there are many places any one would want to go to rather than Canada. Simple…….
Maybe next time you do go to Syria ask of the places you could visit and ul b surprized….some did recomend many places to you a few days ago, but it seems u did not have time, maybe next time.
Syria is a beautiful country..
16. Mark | May 12th, 2008 at 9:03 am
It has nothing to do with time. When I travel there are certain things that interest me in a country and the only thing interesting for me in Syria is Kebab. Thats it. All the time in the world won’t make Syria more interesting for me.
17. skyline | May 12th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Dude, place that have soul i’d say Goa, Pattaya, Sharm and last but not least Ibiza.
since i am a prty animal i’d say those cities are much better then all what you’ve mentioned.
18. Mark | May 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
and I hate the beach and the sun so i would never go to all the places you’ve mentioned ;)
19. ziza | May 12th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I love Montreal because its the gay capital of the world. Makes me feel right at home.
20. Bayerli | June 25th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Im syrian and it hurts to read that der is nothing interesting in Syria EXCEPT the KABABz :P but although I do have to agree wit Mark, the airport is a real disappointment, I just hate every single thing about it.. why wouldn’t they just try to improve it!?!? This issue really irritates me alot but rather than that there is plenty of nice things in Syria that I love.. hope to see some changes in the near future :D
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