Old City exploration

(Note: This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but the internet went out... luckily it was saved!)

Today Alden got up nice and early to explore the Old City in Damascus before it got too hot outside. The Old City is very old. And large! Winding through the souq and a few of the many residential areas took all morning, including a visit to Umayyad Mosque (which is the resting place of St. John the Baptist, one of Alden's favorite saints). Several notable Alden victories today:



Victory #1:



A Syrian sim card for his phone. As his Jordanian sim card wasn't working so much, a new one was needed. Alden managed, in Arabic, to get a Syrian card. (This involved an application and a thumb print. Totally Totalitarian)



Victory #2:



Finding an ATM that works. Alden was more than a little concerned that he was completely screwed, and would have to retreat back to Jordan earlier than anticipated due to a slight lack of cash.



Victory #3:



Dinner on a roof top for less than $10. "Lalia," a classy joint, (so classy that it had sugar packs with "Lalia" printed on them) is right under a minarette belonging to Umayyad Mosque. The evening call to prayer was quite loud. Alden enjoyed his honey mustard chicken with a fellow backpacker.



Victory #4



This is an anticipated victory: Alden's going to bed early. Alden is sleepy and just wants to crash. He is about ready to beat the little kid that is spraying him with Windex while he sits at the internet cafe, and it is time for Alden to shower, take some tylenol PM, and insert his ear plugs.