November 2009
Intro
Not having been to the Middle East since 2001, it was definitely time to visit family in Jordan and Syria again. I revisited some sights like Petra and Damascus’ Old Town, but also saw new places like Aqaba, Wadi Rum and the newer areas of Amman + Damascus.
I swung by Dubai again to see the unbelievable changes it went through in 8 years, and also visited the five remaining Emirates I had yet to see — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah — worlds apart from their brothers Dubai + Abu Dhabi. A stopover in Cairo
Journey Map
Featured Image
Umayyad Mosque, Damascus, Syria
One of the most important sights in all of Syria, the Umayyad Mosque is also one of the oldest, largest, and holiest mosques in the world — containing significant treasures of Islamic art and architecture. A treasure itself, Damascus’ Old City claims fame as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Adding even more to the city’s allure (for me!), our family’s centuries-old courtyard home is just a short walk away.
![Burj Dubai [Khalifa]](https://i0.wp.com/www.wanderluster.net/wp-content/gallery/sketches/dubai-dubai-sketch.jpg?h=290)
