tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163876234969175446.post5450830054999321307..comments2024-03-22T10:56:23.359+02:00Comments on Land and People: In Aleppo-1Rami Zuraykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14644937988631864952noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163876234969175446.post-26657555233864350662009-07-29T22:19:43.080+03:002009-07-29T22:19:43.080+03:00Maaloula! Not Maamoula! Hahaahahahaha I went to se...Maaloula! Not Maamoula! Hahaahahahaha I went to see the caves at the town of Cookies!<br /><br />No wonder they say I speak "mitl Armani"Leila Abu-Sabahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161833022292457787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163876234969175446.post-45453090741152747612009-07-27T23:38:18.822+03:002009-07-27T23:38:18.822+03:00PS the info about Terra Rossa is *very* helpful. I...PS the info about Terra Rossa is *very* helpful. I observed the red colored soil in the mountains as a child, and found it remarkable. The soil in our village is grayish white, crumbly, rocky with soft rocks. My father had told me that the red soil is very fertile, good for apples and tobacco. I did not know that it is discontinuous. There is red soil in the wadi below our village (the south wadi leading into Ain el Helweh).<br /><br />50 years ago pine trees grew there. In fact I remember a few pines from my childhood.Leila Abu-Sabahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161833022292457787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4163876234969175446.post-70151582374045574832009-07-27T23:36:29.936+03:002009-07-27T23:36:29.936+03:00This is fascinating, thanks so much for posting an...This is fascinating, thanks so much for posting and being generous with your photos. I am *really* glad you choose to show your children our heritage instead of taking them to Nice or someplace. Perhaps I might make the same trip one day...<br /><br />Several notes. I am not totally conversant with Catholic saints because I was raised by secular people and my mother is originally a Protestant. However, a saint slaying a dragon would be George; I am not sure what animal is associated with St. Elie.<br /><br />Re: forestation in Syria - perhaps you know this. I had the pleasure of meeting a family connection in Damascus who took me to see the cave and churches at Maamoula. On the way there I remarked on areas of reforestation amidst the barren plain.<br /><br />My host told me that the Syrian Army soldiers are put to work around their bases, planting trees. When there's nothing much going on and no regular chores, they must plant. Check the location of the trees you saw - they are probably near a military base. I don't know if this reveals info that could be useful to enemies but they probably already know where the bases are. :(<br /><br />Kurdish paneer - we love paneer, knowing it from Indian and Pakistani restaurants in our area. It's milk that is curdled with lemon or vinegar, then pressed and shaped into cubes. A good housewife makes her paneer fresh each morning. <br /><br />We love to eat saag paneer (mustard greens braised in spices with paneer) or palak paneer (spinach, same). One of these days I will make my own paneer at home. The process seems even simpler than yogurt, because you don't have to worry about culturing it at proper temp for 6 hours.Leila Abu-Sabahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161833022292457787noreply@blogger.com