Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I fell for this mirror the moment I saw it and it always reminds me of a very special holiday.

I had asked some friends who were really familiar with travel in the Middle East which country they would recommend for a visit. They both agreed that Syria was their first choice and I was lucky enough to find an affordable and very enjoyable trip there.

It was a wonderful country. Damascus was fascinating (and I found this mirror in a little shop close to my hotel near the Souk) and I will never forget Crac des Chevaliers or Ugarit.

But my most lasting memories will be of the friendliness of the people - of the family who smiled and said," Welcome to Syria" as we passed on the battlements or the taxi driver who offered me and my friends his bottle of water because it was so seriously hot (we declined politely of course). This just didn't square with all I had read about the "axis of evil" !!!

My only regret was not going to the Lebanon as well. Maybe I just need to go back.