this is basically my gallery

Dair Mar Musa AlHabashi

Let tell you about this ancient monastery, it's high in the mountains near Damascus, Syria.

You can go up to it by climbing 300 steps, OR through a long trek through the mountain, that's what I chose, it was tough and filled with steep climbes on slippery rocks, but was worth it.

People go there seeking peace or believing that going there would heal an illness they have.

The monks there- even though this monastery is christian- are from different religions, the majority christians but some Muslims. They are the kindest, most well spoken people I've ever met, they kindly welcome everybody there and they even provide accomodations free of charge.

The atmosphere there is one on peace and love that you can hardly stay without feeling touched by something greater than all of this mundane existance.

Even in the middle of my climate anxiety induced bout of constantly watching the sky for any signs of the dust storm passing... i find a teeny tiny sliver of hope...

Can you spot the ghost doggy?

22nd June.

I go visit his grave before going back to Damascus to continue my masters courses...

Life goes on

The spot is beautiful, it feels comforting to know that my jeddo rests here among the flowers as the early spring sun rises and sets upon him.

He always used to joke that in spring he wants to go out to "بيت زيدان" aka where the graveyard is...

As I stood next to him and watered the trees next to his grave, it felt weird to be so near him and yet not hear his voice, I will miss him, I hope to always remember our memories, all of which were full of happiness and joy, he was not just a great man in general, but a wonderful jeddo.

You went from this world but you will always stay in my heart.

Goodnight jeddo.

Great suffering can give us the illusion of being pain's chosen one.

Roaming aimlessly, the world seems all possibilities.

As I stand on this step in my life, not knowing where circumstances will take me, I know this one thing, I will make the best of it.

This was home to many a scene of my childhood, to see it now, so changed yet so familiar....abandoned, forgotten, slowly moving towards redundancy, a relic of a time ling past.