July 1326

 

The past two months have been a journey from Cairo to Damascus, the original home of the Umayyad Caliphate, but now home to the Mamluk dynasty. I traveled along the Royal Road, developed by the Mamluks in order to bring pilgrims across Damascus safely and quickly. Damascus, she is a wonderful city with plentiful water and floral beauty. She is as sweet as her scented herbs and as peaceful as the sunset in Morocco. Not only is she beautiful, but she is home to many merchants and traders. Rather large in population, it linked the people of Egypt to Persia. Through areas, like the Black Sea, people were able to transport goods and ideas, particularly from scholars at the university. Food and clothing is plentiful in Damascus as kids are rarely scarce in resource. Children are not often clothed as well as they are in this gorgeous city as they are in Tangier, or even in places like Alexandria and Cairo. The children are often taught in classes from a young age. Unlike my opportunities in Morocco, the kids are able to learn from scholars right across from their home. They live vibrant lives, seemingly open to many different cultures.