One Week Down

It seems like a whole lot longer that just one week that has gone by since I left the states. I have experienced so much, and learned a lot more. Today is our day of rest, though most of Damascus is up and at em, since the Muslim holy day is on Friday. The usual busy packed streets and markets were almost ghostly empty on Friday. It’s a completely different life style here than what I’m used to in the States. Almost all of the Muslims take off on Friday and go to the mosque or stay at home at pray. Very few open their shops. I was very impressed by their dedication to their faith.

This week we had five days of language classes, and after each one I spent time in the Old City of Damascus. I bought food on the streets, window shopped for bargains, and was welcomed by many. On Friday, our assignment was to go into the Omyad Mosque in the Old City and observe the prayer time on their holy day. It was a pretty amazing experience. There were still a lot of children running around everywhere, but watching the people gather together and pray was inspiring. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it didn’t matter. I also managed to communicate with a few different people in my limited Arabic ability. I even got to hold two different children, while trying to communicate with an older woman and then another family. The people here are so warm and welcoming, even though we don’t speak the same language. It only makes me want to learn more, faster so I can communicate with the people better.

Then yesterday our group decided to spend our day climbing up Mt. Cassion. One of the stories about this mountain is that on it Cain killed Abel. I don’t know if that is true or not, but it doesn’t really matter to me. The hike was worth it. We mostly just walked along side a road all the way up, because it wasn’t a good mountain to go off roading on. The view was absolutely astounding. It was unlike anything I have ever seen before. I didn’t know Damascus was so big, and I could see for miles and miles beyond Damascus. Though we would’ve been able to see farther, but there was haze from the city the clouded the view.

That about does it for now. On Thursday we will take a long weekend trip to Lebanon, I probably won’t post again until after that. I welcome your comments, emails, and prayers. Thanks for following and supporting me on this journey.

Salaam wa lekum (peace upon you)
~Allison