Want A Ride?

Definitely this horse was in Hawaii!!

Termite

A lot of air pollution is caused from these diesel microbuses. A better regulation of emission limits for cars, buses, and trucks should be done. No more contamination. Stop polluting our lovely environment.

Any Idea?

Well, this a study hall in my collage (Damascus university) where I’m used to study in it, unlike many other study halls in other departments, this one is very calm, tranquil and in fact air-conditioned. Students who come here really want to concentrate on their studies, and they are serious, so that’s what makes it my favorite. Actually I took this photo especially for me as a souvenir, but what made me think to post it is just the idea “ why do people here are afraid of photographing??” well consider it very well, nothing there abnormal or dangerous, even no one single student ( that made me to wait till its closing time! ), but why should I take a permission for such a silly picture, and be questioned for that ? Might my innocent, nonprofessional photos be that dangerous? I really don’t know!

Beautiful Nature

Overview of Al-Ghab valley showing agriculture fields which are laid out in a rectilinear pattern and are contiguous.

A water canal in Al-Ghab valley which was known by its large number of buffaloes.

Children's Rights

Declaration of the Rights of the Child

Principle 1
Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.
Principle 2
The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity.
Principle 3
The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.
Principle 4
The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security.
Principle 5
The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.
Principle 6
The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding.
Principle 7
The child is entitled to receive educationThe child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education.
Principle 8
The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.
Principle 9
The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation.
Principle 10
The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, peace and universal brotherhood.

UNICEF

Colours of Damascus

Old Damascus has been a source of inspiration to many Syrian artists.

Sunset

I picked this poem from one of my favorite books “The Penguin Book Of English Verse” Wish you'll like it:)

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a flying:
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a getting;
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best, which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times, still succeed the former.

by Robert Herrick

Hubble-Bubble

A German friend of us, he came last summer with his family to visit Syria, he has enjoyed his visit very much, “people here are very nice, I wish to come here again” he said . Here he was tasting Narghile but as it obvious in the picture above it was his first time!!!!

Sorry Mr. Alfred I didn’t take your permission to post this photo, you wont mind right?

Miaow...Miaow

Some Syrian proverbs about cats:

• “Metel el atta bi sab’ rwaah” it means that cats has seven souls, it never dies. It is said when someone always survives and never gets hurt.
• “Metel el att byakoul wo bynkour” it means he is like a cat, it eats everything then it denies what it has eaten. It said about someone known by his ungratefulness.
• “Zakarna el att aam natt” it means we were talking about the cat when it came. It is said if somebody’s name was mentioned and then the same person passed by.
• “Ghab el att ela’b ya far” it means since the cat is not here let the mouse play as much as it can. I think this one is clear.
• “Ylli bela’eb el att bit-hammal kharamisho” it means if you want to play with a cat you should put up with its scratches. You should be aware of what are you doing, or you should carry the consequences of you wrong behavior.
• “ El att ma bihib illa khanako” it means a cat loves its oppressor. It is said when someone always comes back to the one he humiliates him and makes him suffer.

No Comment...

The guard outside the building got very angry when I took this picture, and told me it is forbidden to take this photo, anyways… I think it is very embarrassing and a shameful thing to have such an official translated sign! The word “watery” is never used in that sense… it maybe used for something weak and pale in colour; like a watery sun, or maybe used for something contains too much water; like a watery soup or watery eyes, but here at this place… no way… a better translation could be Center For Water Studies & Arab Water Security, even though I still find it a little bit weird even in Arabic!!!