Moving Forward...

Oddly enough, people in Bosra are living among the ruins.

This friendly young Syrian was passionate about my livestrong-wristband. He can have it. Notice how his brother is trying to cut his nails with his arms around his neck… I suspect three copies of chromosome-21 per cell.

Maybe not the latest fashion, but the hat makes walking bearable.

Greater diversity in women’s dresscode than Morocco, a longer call-to-prayer sung with more melody and subtlety, display of the Syrian flag with Bashir al-Assad at every house and ubiquitous military presence. The capital Damascus feels authentic, has seen it all – this city is (among) the oldest continuously inhabited in the world – and features a few stunning sights and many friendly people. This is Syria. It’s really nice. And very safe.

The calm, peace and beauty of the Umayyad Mosque. I sat here three afternoons.

Children playing in the Umayyad Mosque.

Students interviewing for an assignment at the Umayyad Mosque.

Views on Damascus from the roof-terrace of my hotel.

Playing backgammon with Patrick among the locals at night. Just brilliant.

Icecream with pistachio topping. Yummy!

Damascene houses.

Damascus sky.

Beauty of Azam Palace. Again: understated, soft-colored Middle-Eastern beauty.

Limestone, sandstone and basalt. Lovely.

My days in the Netherlands: enjoying ridiculously nice weather (on par with Morocco) out on the terraces with my friends. Excellent to be with them again – and a temporary somewhat hedonistic lifestyle has never hurt anyone, did it? Cafe Olivier is quite an addition to Leiden nightlife!

Photos from a “preparatory” weekend with the staff of my LCKV summer camp:

0800-HELPMEIMINTHEWATER puts you through to Gentlemen Died

Kaar’s a natural (psssst… she practised before! )

Somewhat unsteady :S

Serious teambuilding

Rachel and Died, well-dressed for the occasion.

On our way for a weekend in… Leeuwarden.

A nice daytrip with Meneer Tan to Urk, Schokland and… cameranu.nl. Nice!

Arjen flew in for some excellent days. The only disadvantage of Marrakesh is the presence of tourists, yet these also bring in some tourist/expat oriented facilities. Like Pacha Marrakesh, the largest disco to be found in Africa (beer priced at a reasonable $21), and luxurious restaurants like Bo & Sin and Le Foundouk, all of which we enjoyed quite a bit.

The Good Life.

Eating at Djemaa el-Fna is a happening, the magical square of Marrakesh.

Ali ben Yussef Medersa.

Marjo and Lise. Dutch culturally interested (!?) party-girls.

Dining right in front of the Koutoubia Mosque.

Colors, colors, colors.

A bakery: women collecting the baked bread.

Koutoubia Mosque with panels showing developments in early Islamic art.

Daytrip to Imlil.