Difference between Damascus and Aleppo

Hi
I’m traveling around Syria for the moment and I have noticed something very different from south to north.

In Damascus I have trouble walking around with my 24-70 and mostly just use my small 24mm. Then I don’t dump into several guards asking me what I’m doing. On a short walk in one of the nicer neighbourhoods of Damascus passing the American embassy, and then one of the Assad’s mini palaces, I got stopped 5 times. Playing dumb tourist always helps. And yes true this was not the smartest thing, but I got off the micro one street to early. Also at the Souk people are camera shy, and in the refugee “camps” people shout at you. “What are you taking pictures of?!?”

In Aleppo I find it very different. Not as much police on the street due to ( I’m guessing) less important buildings. No problems on the street when taking pictures. No problems at the refugee “camps”. When I tell them I’m from Denmark they invite me in for coffee, then a short talk about the cartoons and then back to enjoying the tea. Its like another Syria.

Have any of you noticed this? Maybe in other countries?

by Ali Nabulsi at Thu Aug 21 19:41:30 UTC 2008 (ed. Aug 22 2008) Aleppo, Syria | Bookmark this | Digg this |