ZS32: Mezzeh - The Modern Elite Dimashq


Damascus or Dimashq by the local and also known as the "City of Jasmin" , is the capital of Syria as well as one of the country's 14 governorates. The Damascus Governorate is ruled by a governor appointed by the Minister of Interior. In addition to being widely known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Damascus is a major cultural and religious center of the Levant.
On the 5th day of our trip, out of our curiosity (yes, we know - curiosity kills the cats) we decided to explore the exclusiveness of Dimashq. We arrived there around 12:30 hours after 15 minutes drive from Merjeh, another popular district where we stayed. Well…, the people in general were different, I mean their grooming were more extravagant and wore lavish branded items. We went straight to the Damasquino Mall and after one round of window shopping, our biological timer alarmed us to fulfill our biological needs. After 5 days in Syria, Attila Mongolian Restaurant, which served Mongolian cuisine akin to the Chinese’s had attracted us, complied with our customary-break requirement.
Currently, the city has an estimated population of about 1.7 million. Located in southwestern Syria, it is the center of a large metropolitan area of 2.7 million people. Geographically embedded on the eastern foothills of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, 80 km inland from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and lied on a plateau 680 meters above sea-level. It is divided into at least 21 districts and one of it is Mezzeh the modern elite district of Damascus.
In this Mall, there were many world class branded items. I was tempted with one of branded pair of shoe and decided to grab it. Unfortunately, the shop did not take credit cards or any charge cards, which turned me off. I did not carry bundles of cash and I would be stupid idiot if I did. Then, we moved on to Nike Store and bought Azmi and Amir Nike items. Again, they did not take credit cards. This time, I decided to fork out whatever cash that I had amid the shortage and frustration. In general, branded items were very expensive compared to Egypt or Malaysia or other parts of the world. And, most of the items were comparatively old – out-of-date collections. What we like most about this place was the hospitality of the people were commendable.
Little bit about Mezzeh: It is a relatively new neighborhood of Damascus lies to the southwest of central Damascus, along the Mezzeh highway. It started gaining importance when the French constructed the Mezzeh military airport there, which was the main airport in Damascus until Damascus International Airport was opened. Mezzeh today is one of the most modern and expensive areas of Damascus where major embassies inhabit.
One could see many modern new contemporary buildings and apartments built in this district. Amir informed me, all these buildings are ridiculously expensive.

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