Unfinished SYRIA AND PRACTICAL JORDAN (continued, part 3) The National Museum of Damascus, a great variety of exhibits - and it is understandable, given that we are talking about a city with a history of 11,000 years - but not all of them exhibited the best . For me, the best exhibit was the sign, about the size of a deck of cards, which depicts the very first image of the letter. It was not the letter "A". Actually, it was hard to see the letter, but, according to knowledgeable people, it was the beginning of the modern alphabet. Before the invention of letters of information recorded using the characters and pictures. This letter was found in the city of Ugarit (ancient city-state on the territory of modern Syria, ca. Perevi.). The museum staff did not miss the opportunity earn a little money on the visitors. They readily can show you, for example, a banknote with museum artifacts on it, or a nod and a wink, be allowed to take some photos, where the idea of ??taking pictures is impossible. I even noticed, as our guide put it in his pocket a folded dollar bill just because someone lent him a stylus (a device for entering data into a pen, ca. Perevi.) For your Pocket PC. Tipping play an important role in the life of the Syrians, but for tourists, they pose a particular danger. By the way, our guide himself if necessary distributed baksheesh. But back to the museum. In addition to the world's first letter, there is a synagogue of the III century, which was moved to this museum and restored. This is unusual because it contains images of people, which is contrary to Islam. Also, the museum has tombstones that have become a kind of prologue to the part of tour, which was to see them in large quantities. But on the gravestones in a moment. In general, the museum exhibits world-class, although the conditions of the exhibition itself is poor. But the museum is great, nonetheless. Dancing dervish During a trip to the hills where we wanted to look at the city, our guide showed us the infamous Golan Heights, which Israel has appropriated in 1967 during the Six Day War. I was struck by how close they were from Damascus. It's as if the Russian during the Cold War would have seized the Chilterns (Chilternskie Highlands - a beautiful chalk hills about 40 miles from London, ca. Perevi.). The whole world (except Israel) said the Golan Heights in Syria. But the Israelis have nowhere to go does not intend, moreover, is already in the disputed territory is inhabited by thousands of settlers and their number is increasing every day. This problem should soon be resolved. Now the president of Syria is Bashar al-Assad, it is reasonable and, moreover, a popular politician. Unfortunately, his advisers and influential military ranks are much more belligerent and violent, resulting in Syria remains on the U.S. list of rogue states, though not so long ago had been taken the initiative to break the isolation of the country. Cute presidential palace stands on a hill with a magnificent view over the city. The palace is very big and that is clear, well-guarded. The ruins of the ancient city of Ungaro in our trips around the world, we always try to avoid the evening of local culture (usually they are specially organized for tourists, and therefore cheap, tasteless and arrogant). But this time opportunities to slip away from us was because we had to visit a team lunch, during which as fun the dance was meant to show whirling dervish (a Muslim analog Monk, ca. Perevi.). In order to prepare themselves for such a memorable entertainment we have found a cozy bar and drank expensive beer. Ad in front of the bar informed us that the men inside without accompaniment will not be allowed. I do not get to the end that the authors of the poster wanted to say? Here may not include men alone or women with no male groups, with or without employees institution? And why? I would really like to know the answers to these questions. The road to the valley after thorough preparation, we went into a big restaurant. He obviously is specialized in tourist groups, but, nevertheless, the food was delicious. Second course, as usual, was much worse than a snack. Think it was chicken with rice. Served beer and wine, and we realized that this Muslim country fairly liberal on many issues. It is very important for those tourists who are going to go here for the first time. No sooner had we finished eating, dancing dervish appeared to wander on a small patch between this and the next table. Apparently, all this spinning has something to do with death. His brown hat is a symbol of the tombstone, and white robes - a symbol of death. Rely for this dance cape, which was not our dervish, also symbolizes death. He begins to dance, slowly walking in circles, like factories to himself as a clock, then he starts spinning on one foot. His robe flies to the side and takes a conical shape. More of it is obtained a small draft for those who are close. During the whirling, he did various parameters hands and head, which symbolizes the spiritual journey, in the end he becomes a "perfect" man. Our dervish, apparently, was not a very good master of the dance, because it took him three tries to become perfect. Start material: Read more:
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