In the summer of 2010 we drove the 4,000km across Europe to Syria. This was the last summer one could safely explore Syria’s extraordinary historic remains from the Crusader castle of Krac des Chevaliers to the desert ruins of Palmyra or the citadel at Aleppo.
Evening light at the medieval castle of Krac des Chevaliers,near Syria’s border with Lebanon.
I often look back at our pictures, of street scenes in Aleppo for instance, and wonder if any of the bystanders survived the devastation and destruction. Did they become one of the refugees desperately trying to seek safety in Europe?
The medieval covered market/souq in 2010
The Al-Madina souq in Aleppo, the world’s largest historic covered market in 2010.
The covered market today :
The ruined souq as it is today. Photo credit : democraticunderground.
When travelling it really is ‘Carpe diem’; one never knows what lies ahead, be it civil unrest or natural disasters.
An Irish link with Syria – A Damascus Courtyard at Bloom.
Back in Dublin, visiting this year’s “Bloom”, Ireland’s annual garden festival, it was great to see a Show Garden based on a contemplative enclosed Syrian courtyard garden such as one might have found in old Damascus.
A bubbling central fountain created a pleasing sound, always a great addition to any city courtyard. The tiles and patterned paving are typical. These courtyard gardens are havens of tranquillity and calm, how much more needed there today.
The strewn toys represented the haste at which this imagined Syrian home had to be abandoned.
As the sun set, scented plants, such as Trachelospermum jasminoides, released their perfume into the courtyard.
The really good news is that after the Bloom garden festival was over and the short-lived Show Gardens were dismantled, this particular garden was destined to be recreated at the Reception Centre for Syrian refugees at Monasterevin in Co Kildare.
A reflective space for Syrians and a physical connection to their homeland.
Read more about the garden and GOAL’s work HERE
Jardin 
How lucky you were to see that part of the world.
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Yes, we’d talked about visiting Syria for years and now, with hindsight, it was fortunate we did it in 2010.
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Wonderful post. Thank you.
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Thank you Crys. It was a good opportunity too to reflect on our journey in 2010.
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So fortunate you had the chance to see the beauties of Syria, when you did. A deeply disturbing event that has unfolded there. Moving post, Lorna, and beautiful photos.
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Thank you very much Jet. We were so very lucky to be able to travel throughout Syria. It is quite heart-breaking to see what has unfolded since that time; there seems no end to the destruction and human misery.
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I’m so glad to see you blogging again, as yours is one of my favourite blogs and you, one of my favourite bloggers. I hope you’ve been busy with beautiful gardening projects.
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Cynthia, thank you so very much, you’re very kind.
Life has had its ups and downs with the loss now of both my parents,house moves and so on.
It feels very good now to be getting back into the blogging routine.
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I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your parents, my friend. Getting back into the blogging routine seems to signal a return to some kind of normalcy, right?
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So right Cynthia! Yes, life is slowing returning to the rhythm of routine.
Thank you!
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A thought provoking post that puts us to shame with our self centred ( self inflicted) absorption with brexit.
and refusal to look to the wider world.
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Mary, thank you so much and I’m so glad you found the post thought-provoking. Sometimes we need to stand back from our own troubles and see the wider picture to put things in their proper perspective.
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