Finally made it to the most important site in Damascus: the mosque.
A few notes:
Shoes cannot be worn. Most people carry their shoes around inside the mosque. Bare feet are fine (the floors are marble or carpeted), but if you have strange phobias like M, bring socks.
Women must wear one of the robes that are provided in the "putting on clothes room." If you bring a scarf to cover your head, you dont need to wear the hood (it slips constantly, scarf recommended).
Access to the large minaret on the north side appear to be limited. :(
Visitors appear to be allowed in at any time. Indoors, the prayer hall is divided between men and women - women stay towards the back. The guards allow foreign women into the "men only" part, but E felt much more at ease staying back in the womens section and was able to still see everything. As with most things in Syria, rules are more like guidelines.
Contrary to our expectations, the mosque is not a quiet, solemn, religious place. It is more of a home within the city. Children run and play games in the marble courtyard, people nap in the shade of the buildings, and girls socialize in the prayer hall. Not so different from the schmoozing in the synagogue or the whispers and giggles of churchgoers on Sunday. The mosque was delightful, and a great place to relax and enjoy centuries of architectural beauty.
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