Today was the first day of cycling! We rode about 36km to Saint Simeon Citadel, which was named after a hermit who was a shepherd who became a monk after a revelation in a dream. It had the most incredible view of the surround area!!
It is high up on a mountain from which you can look over the surrounding valleys, it is just beautiful! The environment is so barren but so glorious. It's such a rocky country but, at this time of the year, there are also flowers everywhere poking up between the rocks. Most significant to me were the red poppies - they are everywhere! They struck me deeply because of their symbolic connection to the fallen soldiers in the great wars.
I'm experiencing a bit of a culture shock! Firstly, there's all the men! The streets have a signicant gender bias towards the men! I'm also having a bit of difficulty getting used to the some aspects of the ride - such as the constant military and/or police presence. As well as the huge welcome we receive at our destination - dancing troupes and bands and lots of flags! It blows my mind!
Tomorrow we leave to go to Lattakia, on the Syrian coast!
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