One night, Libby and Sarah were stranded near the spectacular ruins of Palmyra, once home of Queen Zenobia, nemesis of the Romans. A total stranger gave them a ride in a pickup truck. Laughing as they bounced in the back, they questioned if there were places in the United States where two women could do this and feel safe. We love Syria, but our American friends keep expressing concern about our safety in the Middle East. Crossing a street in Damascus or Aleppo can be a harrowing experience as Studebakers, De Sotos with grotesque tail fins, old Buicks smiling their monstrous chrome grin and newer cars all strive to come as close as possible to the pedestrians, push carts and occasional horse-drawn wagons that crowd the streets.
Highways are no better.
On the narrow mountain roads petroleum tankers try to overtake one another while a car or mini-bus tries to pass both. Another danger for me is gustatory. The food is fantastic and diverse. Excellent restaurants abound. Outstanding coffee is everywhere without a single Starbucks in sight.