The town Hama is just 80km north of Homs is famous for its ancient wooden water wheels, which once served as a way to pump water to the surrounding fields. The mini bus station is actually outside of Hama (حماة), which makes the way to the centre being more than just a distance worth walking. Best orientation spot in Hama is the clock tower square, as from there you can already hear the water wheels (if they are running). Once you found the Orontes river it will automatically lead you to the giant water wheels.

Depending on season, tide of river Orontes and sense of digestive well-being of its residents you can hear Hama’s noisy main attraction from some hundred metres away. When the wheels aren’t creaking you’ll surely smell the river. I felt pretty disgusted when watching duck tacking a head first bath in that sludge. When walking through city centre, Old Town and along of Orontes river, you’ll quickly bump into a Noria (ناعورة). The slides are open depending on river’s tide as well. They keep away the river or make the water flow to drive the wheels. Some Norias even have the remainings of an aqueduct on their side.

There’s an Azem Palace in Hama as well. Its lovely decorated inner courtyard pleases the eyes even today. In spring 2007 all other rooms and chambers were closed due to a general restoration. That reconstruction even affected the roads of Old Town as many of them were under construction.

Again I want to get back to Syrian hospitality and frankness as while walking around with my tripod and taking photos people rallied round me to watch what I am doing. With pleasure they saw the photos I took; they also wanted me to take a portrait of them. A very friendly country :-)

Coming back from Azem Palace I met two construction workers. Both workers’ name is Faiz, which means something like winner. Once they had to flee from Israeli aggression and found a new home in Syria. While digging up the street they were talking with me and stopped working when I mentioned that I am from East Germany, former GDR. Immediately they showed they very good history knowledge, a in-depth knowledge superior to quite a number of Germans. In the 1980′s the father of the one Faiz lived in GDR, even in East Berlin. Quickly we had a very good conversation and also some tea.

Used photo equipment: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF-S 10-22, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, Tamron 28-75 f2.8, Sigma 80-400 OS f4.5-5.6

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Date: Apr 8th, 2007 · Comment RSS · Tags: Syria