Hama

So today was finally a day to see Hama, the city I have spent the last few nights but not yet had a chance to explore. As I mentioned previously the town is famous for its ancient waterwheels (or Nurias). There are several of these throughout the city at various points on the river and some of them are immense. They were used for irrigation and they sound their age, creaking and groaning as they turn eternally. The museum had some interesting mosaics and an impressive black basalt lion, and the Azem Palace, though less impressive than the one in Damascus was also worth a visit as is the Grand Mosque. I had an excellent dinner by the 4 Nurias in the East of the city in one of the city’s most popular restaurants. Tomorrow I will head down to the Lattakia on the Mediterranean coast, supposedly Syria’s most liberal and Western-looking spot.

- David