Yours truly had the good fortune to visit Damascus recently. This Middle Eastern city of about 3 million people was surprisingly lovely. It has busy streets, but a relaxed atmosphere in the Old City and in the quiet neighbourhoods. The shopping was to die for. Gold and silver jewellery, carpets, shawls and other textiles, handicrafts are sold in this historic trading city. Cafés and restaurants were abundant in some areas of town. The warm sunny weather was also a welcome break for this Ottawan. The predominantly Muslim, Arabic- speaking population gave me a great cross-cultural experience. Here then, is my list of the 5 main similarities and differences between Ottawa and Damascus.
Similarity # 1: Traffic drives on the right
Difference # 1: Drivers rule in Damascus and pay little attention to pedestrians. Watch out before stepping on to the road! Now, back in Ottawa, I am a bit disoriented - do I walk out in the road just because the "walk" sign is on, or do I wait for that car to possibly drive right on through?
Similarity #2: Coffee is popular in both cities.
Difference # 2: There are very few chain coffee shops in Damascus. Most are either traditional coffee houses (typically attracting an older male crowd) or restaurants catering to a younger co-ed set. I found two European chain outlets near the biggest hotel. Bars and restaurnts serving alcohol, on the other hand, are much less common in Damascus, though they do exist.
Similarity #3: Middle eastern fast-food (think shawarma, felafel, hummous) is widely available.
Difference #3: The food is really tasty in Damascus and costs much less (25 Syrian pounds or 50 cents Canadian for a chicken shawarma). They sometimes use different spices than we typically find in fast-food outlets in Ottawa. Fresh citrus juice stands are also common there. Bakeries make amazing savoury and sweet pastries.
Similarity #4: Both cities have many shopping opportunities.
Difference #4: Ottawa is dominated by big-box malls and indoor malls, whereas Damascus (warm weather and all) favours the small shop, preferably in clusters on shopping streets and in the famous markets in and around the Old City. Rather than drive to the big-box, Damascenes frequent small shops in their neighbourhoods. There is a store selling dry goods beside a bakery next to a butcher, next to the real estate office, a pharmacy, and then a hair salon followed by a shawarma shop and finally a hardware store. On the next block is a toy store and a women's clothing store. Down the street is the re-upholstery workshop.
Similarity #5: Both cities have street signs to help you know where you are.
Difference #5: The signs in Damascus are in Arabic, which I can't read... so I frequently was rather lost. People were always friendly and willing to help. Just like the time I visited New York and constantly became turned around. Anyway, I always said a polite "shukran" (thank you) to each helpful person and enjoyed the adventure.
3 comments:
To Damascus by H. Kendal - 1869
Where the sinister sun of the Syrians beat
On the brittle, bright stubble,
And the camels fell back from the swords of the heat,
Came Saul, with a fire in the soles of his feet,
And a forehead of trouble.
And terrified faces to left and to right,
Before and behind him,
Fled away with the speed of a maddening fright
To the cloughs of the bat and the chasms of night,
Each hoping the zealot would fail in his flight
To find him and bind him.
For, behold you! the strong man of Tarsus came down
With breathings of slaughter,
From the priests of the city, the chiefs of the town
(The lords with the sword, and the sires with the gown),
To harry the Christians, and trample, and drown,
And waste them like water.
He was ever a fighter, this son of the Jews —
A fighter in earnest;
And the Lord took delight in the strength of his thews,
For He knew he was one of the few He could choose
To fight out His battles and carry His news
Of a marvellous truth through the dark and the dews,
And the desert lands furnaced!
He knew he was one of the few He could take
For His mission supernal,
Whose feet would not falter, whose limbs would not ache,
Through the waterless lands of the thorn and the snake,
And the ways of the wild — bearing up for the sake
Of a Beauty eternal.
And therefore the road to Damascus was burned
With a swift, sudden brightness;
While Saul, with his face in the bitter dust, learned
Of the sin which he did ere he tumbled, and turned
Aghast at God's whiteness!
Of the sin which he did ere he covered his head
From the strange revelation.
But, thereafter, you know of the life that he led —
How he preached to the peoples, and suffered, and sped
With the wonderful words which his Master had said,
From nation to nation.
Now would we be like him, who suffer and see,
If the Chooser should choose us!
For I tell you, brave brothers, whoever you be,
It is right, till all learn to look further, and see,
That our Master should use us!
It is right, till all learn to discover and class,
That our Master should task us:
For now we may judge of the Truth through a glass;
And the road over which they must evermore pass,
Who would think for the many, and fight for the mass,
Is the road to Damascus.
The choice appears simple - let's learn Arabic and move to Damascus! kate
Hi Sonja Blogger McKay! I loved your write-up about Damascus...
I'm relived that they care about coffee there the way we do! See ya Saturday!
Pam:)
Post a Comment