Well the last week or so has been dominated by the groundbreaking results of my Aids test (not suitable for travel, but surprisingly Aids free), purchasing many illegal DVDs, including Lawrence of Arabia, the two superior Indiana Jones oeuvres and the Pink Panther original with Peter Sellers and making pancakes with a fly swatter. New gastronomic experiences have included aforementioned fly swatter pancakes, chocolate french-style waffles and potato on stick whic...

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So, a few days in and I am becoming acquainted with our lovely little area of bab touma. The nearest ATM is just about ten minutes' walk away and functions perhaps half of the time. Taking that one in two chance is always an exciting gamble. Along the road you walk to get there is pretty much anything you may or may not need. For example in celebration of being able to withdraw money from me old nationwide account (donations accepted) I bought a new broom with ...

until I upload me own phots, this hideous cliche will have to do. I am living for approximately J130 a month in a wonderful apartment in the old town of Damascus on the border with the Christian and old Jewish quarter. To get there you journey through the intriguing and peaceful labyrinthine passages that are highly disorienting. The apartment is better than I possibly could hope for, with beautiful pink climbing flowers, grape vines and jasmine that twines arou...