Events
Not surprisingly, Syrian holidays and festivals are mostly
Islamic. The big one is Ramadan, a month (around November this year) when
everyone fasts between sunup and sunset to conform to the fourth pillar of
Islam. If you're in Syria at this time, be sensitive to the fact that most of
the people around you are very, very hungry. Ramadan ends with a huge feast, Eid
al-Fitr, where everyone prays together, visits friends, gives presents and
stuffs themselves. Eid al-Adah, held around February, is the other big
feast of the year, and marks the time when Muslims should make the pilgrimage to
Mecca. Non-religious holidays include the Evacuation Day (National Day), on 17
April, and Correctionist Movement Day, on 16 November.
Activities
There's plenty of appealing terrain for hikers. Possibilities
include walking between Syria's ancient castles or hiking the mountainous strip
of land between Lebanon and Turkey.
If you've never had a Turkish bath, Syria is a good place to
start. There are several good public baths in Aleppo and Damascus, and the full
wash, steam bath and massage package does wonders for the body. Bathing is
usually done in segregated sex groups.
