Another day, another smoothie. We got up this morning with firm and resolute intent(ish) t
o do something. But first things first, Falafels. There is a wonderful falafel shop (I wrote down the name but have since lost it) just opposite the cinema off Sharia Al-Baron. Falafels cost the equivalent of 15p and are delicious for breakfast especially with fresh mint and chilli sauce. We decided to do some exploring and therefore opted to get a service (minibus taxi) north to St Simeon. Saint Simon (infer the eponymous name) was an uber funboy who lived in north Syria methinks in the 4th century. He decided at some point to get it into his head that life would be much better up a pole. A big pole. A huge pole in fact, some 3 metres or so off the ground initally, however by the time of his death it had increased to around 18 meters. He also decided that he would chain himself to the top of it at start ranting at people from atop of it. In fact, I think he did this for 
about 40 years. He also got it into his head that he could not, or would not, speak to any women at all; including his poor and long suffering mother. I think he was basically trying to rid himself of his sexual urges and base feelings by elevating himself above them. The irony is not lost when you consider he did this by sitting on a whopping great phallus. This was fascinating stuff in 300AD and I am sure Life of Brian was loosely based around it. You have to understand the St Simeone was probably the equivalent of Justin Timberlake in the Dark Ages; a regular superstar (finally polished stratified pole notwithstanding of course) When he died I believe he was the most famous person in Christendom and a icon for pilgrims from all over the world; although his mum probably wasn't too best pleased with him.
o do something. But first things first, Falafels. There is a wonderful falafel shop (I wrote down the name but have since lost it) just opposite the cinema off Sharia Al-Baron. Falafels cost the equivalent of 15p and are delicious for breakfast especially with fresh mint and chilli sauce. We decided to do some exploring and therefore opted to get a service (minibus taxi) north to St Simeon. Saint Simon (infer the eponymous name) was an uber funboy who lived in north Syria methinks in the 4th century. He decided at some point to get it into his head that life would be much better up a pole. A big pole. A huge pole in fact, some 3 metres or so off the ground initally, however by the time of his death it had increased to around 18 meters. He also decided that he would chain himself to the top of it at start ranting at people from atop of it. In fact, I think he did this for 
about 40 years. He also got it into his head that he could not, or would not, speak to any women at all; including his poor and long suffering mother. I think he was basically trying to rid himself of his sexual urges and base feelings by elevating himself above them. The irony is not lost when you consider he did this by sitting on a whopping great phallus. This was fascinating stuff in 300AD and I am sure Life of Brian was loosely based around it. You have to understand the St Simeone was probably the equivalent of Justin Timberlake in the Dark Ages; a regular superstar (finally polished stratified pole notwithstanding of course) When he died I believe he was the most famous person in Christendom and a icon for pilgrims from all over the world; although his mum probably wasn't too best pleased with him.Anyways, we trekked out to see the ruins of the huge basicalla built on the site. We went via the pullman bus-station, which is public 
transport. It is really good fun, it just means you get on a mini-bus free-for-all. This is one of my favourite things about Syria: communal transport. Everyone just leaps on and goes when a bus is ready. I really don't understand why this hasn't taken off in Europe. We got to the nearby town of Darat Azze and got a ride up from there. It was a pretty amazing basilica. I was unfortunately a little unimpressed by his pole. Sorry girls; it had been subject to pilgrims, scavengers, and opportunists over the last 2000 odd years and is now about 4ft high. It was a very impressive site though and the view of the surrounding countryside was superb.
transport. It is really good fun, it just means you get on a mini-bus free-for-all. This is one of my favourite things about Syria: communal transport. Everyone just leaps on and goes when a bus is ready. I really don't understand why this hasn't taken off in Europe. We got to the nearby town of Darat Azze and got a ride up from there. It was a pretty amazing basilica. I was unfortunately a little unimpressed by his pole. Sorry girls; it had been subject to pilgrims, scavengers, and opportunists over the last 2000 odd years and is now about 4ft high. It was a very impressive site though and the view of the surrounding countryside was superb.We got back into the city in the evening and explored the beautiful Jami al-Kabir mosque. I
t was very beautiful, especially during sunset. Rachel headed off for Hama soon afterward. We will hopefully see her again in Damascus. Marcus and I headed out and stuffed our faces later on that evening -and had an argile. We also managed to book ourselves on a tour tomorrow for the dead cities and Apamea.
t was very beautiful, especially during sunset. Rachel headed off for Hama soon afterward. We will hopefully see her again in Damascus. Marcus and I headed out and stuffed our faces later on that evening -and had an argile. We also managed to book ourselves on a tour tomorrow for the dead cities and Apamea.
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