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My hotel was the Carlton, a comfortable 4
star hotel about 2 kilometres from the centre of the city. The following
morning I chose
to walk in, but crossing roads and roundabouts was quite taxing for one
used to European driving habits! |
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One thing I can tell you; Syrians drink a lot
of tea, and it's usually Lipton's, for some reason. This road seemed to be
sponsored by them. I liked the views of mountains that were ever close.
Fresh snow could be seen on them some mornings. |
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This interesting monument was at one of
the cities biggest roundabouts just down the hill on the previous picture.
I enlisted the help of a traffic policeman to cross the carriageway, but
even then, not all the cars stopped for his outstretched truncheon! |
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Then you have to negotiate this big chap
thrusting out of the pavement. Not quite sure of the symbolism here! |
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The river (I know not it's name) flows from
the mountains in the west towards the east, away from the Med. On the map,
it seems that it eventually peters out. |
This interesting set of buildings alongside
the river looked rather like a TV shooting lot. Middle Eastenders,
perhaps? |
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A little further on I saw this drinking
fountain set in the wall of the street. Room for three. It may have
another significance of which I am unaware because of my inability to read
Arabic. |
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At least the sign told me that i was
heading in the right direction for the old city |
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The station, Al Hijaz, seems to have cased
to function as a normal station, although there are interesting relics for
steam buffs to be found inside. |
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First though, the wonderful coloured glass
windows of the main hall. Sun streamed through them to give the result as
seen below. |
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Colours richer and bolder than any cathedral;
perfect for brightening up a transport terminus. |
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A most unlikely vehicle sits on the iron
road, there must be a story here. |
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Apparently the Swiss were largely
instrumental in bringing steam engines to Syria and for building rail
links to Beirut to the west; Homs and Aleppo to the north. |
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I wonder how long it is since this was alive
with heat and steam. |
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1894 was the date on the side of one loco,
still gleaming after all those years. |
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And then there was this sign: I guess
translation has mangled the meaning somewhat. |
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This door has a certain Frenchness about it,
n'est pas? |
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Finally, I arrive in the oldest part of the
city, originally a walled city with seven gates. The roads are mostly too
small for traffic, but that doesn't stop people trying. |
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See what I mean? |
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Some of the balconies just had to be seen to
be believed. Gravity defying, I call it. In our country, this would be a
hard hat area! |
