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Category Archives: Syria
Safe passage
Next week is spring break, and this year I will be spending it on the Greek island of Lesvos. I will be there for eight days helping refugees who have just made the six mile water crossing from Turkey to Greece. … Continue reading
Don’t go there
One of the most frustrating things about our Damascus experience was having our movements restricted. Of course it was (sometimes) for our own good, but coming straight from America we were simply not used to that. I studied up on … Continue reading
Out of the Mood(le)
Today is, I believe, my last DCS Moodle day. It’s a bittersweet goodbye. Sad, because it marks the end of my formal connection with Damascus Community School, my colleagues and students. We’ve been through a lot together. But to be frank, I … Continue reading
In medias res
Long time no see! My fault, I know. We left the Middle East’s no-post zone at the end of January and have been settled in one place with excellent connectivity since the beginning of March. But the thing is, I … Continue reading
Formalities
One interesting aspect of our new school is its association with the American Embassy in Damascus. It’s not technically an embassy school (I’m not sure if there even is such a thing), but the American diplomats are on the school’s … Continue reading
Posted in Expat experience, Syria
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Expatzilla
I recognize this feeling. It’s been 25 years but it’s all coming back to me. That scene where you’re planning a wedding (your own) and at some critical juncture the florist, the baker, the dress, the bridesmaids, the tuxedos, the … Continue reading
Weighing in
We don’t travel light. And we have a 1200 pound limit (500 each for Andreas and me, and 200 for Alekka, but of course we don’t have to divide it up exactly that way). So we need to keep track … Continue reading
Stuff
When we started looking into shipping our stuff to Syria, the first few companies we called pretty much told us it couldn’t be done. Like, you can’t get there from here. Axis of Evil and all that. Soon afterwards we … Continue reading
Typing lessons
Our new insurance policy is underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. For some obscure reason, they require us to submit our blood type. This turns out to be much more difficult than you would think. Back in middle school biology class … Continue reading
FAQs
1. Will you have to wear a burqa? No. Although 85% of the population is Muslim, Syria is officially a secular state and there is no legally-mandated dress code. Some women wear burqas, some wear the hijab (headscarf), others wear … Continue reading
Posted in Background, Syria
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Lorna of Arabia 