Throw a stone in Syria and you hit something very, very old. On Friday, I joined the local HASH group for a run outside Aleppo. These groups can be found around the world. Basically, they mark a trail that groups can either run or walk while chasing the metaphorical hare.
This week, the HASH was set in one of the 700 old cities located between Aleppo and Hama. These cities date back from the 5th century BC and tell the stories of incredible civilizations risen and ruined. To reach one of them, we drove an hour outside Aleppo through winding wheat fields sprinkled with red poppies, ghostly white and dusty limestone quarries carved into hillsides.
The run was beautiful. You can tell the landscape is used. The rocky hillsides, indented dips between valleys, the scraggly green and grey grass. Small limestone built hamlets; cheerful farmers offering us water and tea – Welcome to Syria! My country is beautiful! ; mammoth sized sheep dogs lazy in the sun.
And the churches. Or the remnants of churches. Partial frames precariously balanced in the shape of ancient doorways. Large grey rock chiseled into the beautiful feet of pillars. An ancient basin; the four walls of an old monastery on the hilltop; a sarcophagi with grey stone marked by a beautiful Christian cross.
dude. Hash runs are superb!