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Mgsblade — The Oasis

Published: 2008-08-17 12:19:58 +0000 UTC; Views: 1137; Favourites: 30; Downloads: 4
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Description This is another of my night shots in Damascus, Syria

Its probably going to be the last of the night shots, because I want to move on, I have so much more to show every one.

The following are excerpts from the Bradt guide to Syria & Damascus- hidden treasures of the old city

Damascus was originally known as the Ghouta Oasis, fed by the waters of the Barada River (ancient Abana) it was surrounded by orchards and gardens that once covered some 30 square miles around it. Sadly only 15% of that remains now due to the urban expansion that occurred this century.

Tradition held that Damascus itself was founded by the grandson of Shem, son of Noah, and in some sources it is also named as the Garden of Eden. Muslim tradition associated the refuge described in the Koran (23:51) for Jesus and Mary with Jebel Qassioun: ‘and We made the son of Mary and his mother a Sign, and gave them shelter on a pleasant plateau with springs of running water.’ Abraham was said to have dwelt in its caves and had the oneness and unity of God revealed to him here.

According to well-documented traditions the Prophet Muhammad once came to the edge of Damascus accompanying a trading caravan owned by his wealthy merchant wife Khadija. The place where he stopped is still called Qadam, Arabic for ‘foot’, the last place he put his foot before refusing to go further. In his first glimpse of Damascus he said that if man could have but one paradise, he would have to give up the earthly paradise of Damascus in order to be able to enter the paradise of heaven.
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Comments: 14

hodnachee [2008-12-22 22:57:22 +0000 UTC]

beautiful shot
this place remind me of bab el7ara "serial"

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pseudometry [2008-08-27 00:46:05 +0000 UTC]

Wow I love this. The colours, the stone, the flags and the greenery. Amazing.

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Mgsblade In reply to pseudometry [2008-08-27 11:14:26 +0000 UTC]

thank you. its one of my favourites!

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pseudometry In reply to Mgsblade [2008-08-27 20:50:42 +0000 UTC]

I can see why

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doriano [2008-08-19 20:14:36 +0000 UTC]

I LOVE this so.

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Mgsblade In reply to doriano [2008-08-19 23:02:25 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it, its one of my favorites! I actually saw the shot three years ago, and promised to go back when I had better equipment and knowledge!

the funny thing is that i spent all day going over the 50 different shots of this place and trying to decide which was the best looking!!! judging from your reaction i assume i picked the best one!

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doriano In reply to Mgsblade [2008-08-20 09:39:08 +0000 UTC]

Oh it can be so hard to decide when you have many shots of the same place...

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asa-bryndis [2008-08-18 22:12:02 +0000 UTC]

Amazing angle, you always frame your photos in such a beautiful way. Nice colours too!

Very interesting history about Damascus, didn't know any of it, really loved it!

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Mgsblade In reply to asa-bryndis [2008-08-19 15:44:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much! I just started reading a new book so hope fully ill have some great stories for you to read soon!

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asa-bryndis In reply to Mgsblade [2008-08-19 17:54:27 +0000 UTC]

Alright, sounds awesome!

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YOSHIMETAL [2008-08-18 16:56:21 +0000 UTC]

Another gorgeous shot bro

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Mgsblade In reply to YOSHIMETAL [2008-08-19 10:45:57 +0000 UTC]

thank you!!

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LittleLhea [2008-08-17 18:49:05 +0000 UTC]

A very cool picture!

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Mgsblade In reply to LittleLhea [2008-08-18 07:59:46 +0000 UTC]

thank you very much!

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