Finding my way in Damascus and learning some Arabic along the way

Hello!
Nice to know there might be people willing to help an inexperienced traveler get by in such an exotic country as Syria (at least to most Europeans, Americans, Chinese etc etc). I’m planning to spend a month in Damascus this summer so if some of you who’ve already spent some time in the city could give me a tip or two...

What’s the best way to get around the city? Is the Damascus Hostel cheap (was mentioned in another thread)? Is it possible to find accommodation in the centre without reservation if you arrive, say, in the middle of the night? Is the taxi service available around that time? Is it safe to roam the streets later in the evening (in the centre, again)?
And could somebody please inform me about the currency, 1 pound equals how many dollars/euros.

The most important thing, is it possible to find teachers of Arabic (Syrians) willing to give you private lessons at a reasonable price? If anyone has any experiences to share, I’d be most grateful! Courses and language schools are a less convenient option, as I’ll probably have no idea of the exact time I should arrive there... Some good planning here, huh.

Heh, it's not really that exotic! It's one of the friendliest and most interesting countries in the world, but it's not too different to many southern European or Mediterranean countries in many regards.

Best way to get around the city is to walk. Everywhere in the Old Town is manageable on foot. Most places of interest in the new town are also reachable by foot. If you want to go somewhere a bit further flung, grab a cab - they're very cheap by western standards.

The Damascus Hostel isn't the cheapest in Damascus, but it's the best-located and best-run in the city, IMHO. Check out their website - unlike many hostels and hotels in Syria, they'll respond to any queries very quickly. They'll be able to give you a quote, and then you can decide if it's suitable for your budget.

It is almost always possible to find accomodation in most Syrian cities if you just turn up without a reservation - except Damascus. It's always prudent to book ahead in Damascus, as hotel and hostel space there is limited, and the city is growing increasingly popular with tourists. I'm not saying it's impossible to find a room in the middle of the night without a reservation - but it won't be easy, and your choices may be limited to insalubrious places.

Taxis run 24 hours around the clock.

Damascus is without a doubt the safest country I've ever visited. Take all the usual sensible precautions, sure, but it's about as close to perfectly safe at all times of the day and night as any city is ever going to get.

Currency is the Syrian pound (SYP), though dollars and euros are accepted almost everywhere. One euro currenly buys about 60 Syrian pounds. Check XE for up-to-date conversion rates.

I've not taken Arabic lessons, but there are loads of private tutors - tutors post flyers advertising their services all over the Old Town. If you're staying at a hostel, the staff or other guests should also be able to recommend someone.

Thanks so much for the inside view! Great to hear it's a tourist-friendly place! If I may ask, have you been to any other cities in Syria and if so, are they as interesting as Damascus? Maybe Aleppo? Right now I'd go just about anywhere to learn some Arabic, but certainly better if I could go with as little trouble as possible with the accommodation etc.
I'll probably come up with some new questions later when I make up my mind where exactly I want to go, and when...

I've taken a look at the Damascus hostel website, very informative.
Shukran gaziilan again!

I've been to Syria four times, so I've been to a few cities there. It is very tourist-friendly in that the more effort you put in in attempting to speak Arabic and interact with Syrians, the more fun you're likely to have and the more you'll get out of your visit to the country.

Aleppo is a great city, and absolutely fascinating, though I do prefer Damascus. Out of all the cities in Syria, Damascus would easily have the widest range of accomodation, and the most Arabic classes and tutors and the best transport links - I'd recommend basing yourself there, but definitely heading up to Aleppo for a few nights to check it out. It's only about five or six hours on the (very cheap) bus. The souk there is the largest in the Middle East, and apart from a very small portion of it, it's very untouristed and about as 'authentic' as you're going to get.

There are plenty of other interesting sights and cities in Syria, and even towns such as Homs and Tartous, which have very few conventional tourist sights, are great fun to visit due to the friendliness of the locals.

I slightly prefer Aleppo, but I have only been to Syria once (and am always dreaming of returning), with 4 days in each city. I met some young Arabic students in Aleppo, and am well aware there are many in Damascus, so you shouldn't have difficulties finding a school in either place.

I traveled through the Middle East alone, and am a Chinese-American woman. I got plenty of attention due to my relatively unusual (for tourists) background, but was always safe. I did not feel there was danger in walking around at night alone or with another Western friend. Syria is my favorite country. It's beautiful, a wonderful cultural experience, filled with warm people and has delicious food to boot.

I do agree with you all....I have been in syria many times particulary to damascus, it's such a wonderful and nice city...so quiet and pretty specially during night....I will be going back again to visit Syria within next few months during this year, best city to visit is Damascus, Aleppo and don't forget Lathikia....such amazing city....
I do speak arabic and if you are interested we might go together? if you are interested pls send me a private message...

take care and have a nice trip...

Amer

Wow, nothing but great experiences here! Good to hear! I greatly admire those of you who dare to take such a long trip on their own, personally, I wouldn't have the courage. It's not that I think something bad might actually happen to me, but still... On the other hand, travelling alone probably gives the whole thing a kind of a spiritual dimension, if I might call it that...any opinions on this one?
Amer, thanks for the offer, I'm still not sure on the exact time I should go, or if I'll go at all. I'm interested, do you speak excellent Arabic and how long did it take you to learn it? Seems to me a mission impossible and I've been studying it for three years now. Offtopic, sorry

Well, I sepak Perfect Arabic, both read, write and understnad...sure speak too....as well as I speak Kurdish ( native language), English and Turkish....
I assure you to learn Arabic very soon.....you just need to be brave enough to take it....
If have decided to go pls let me know, that will be wonderful journey to have it, It deserve that adventure....

let me know what do you think...

Amer

A polyglot, good for you, hope I become one sometime in the (distant) future. Thanks again for the offer and even more for the encouaragement about Arabic. Such a beautiful language, interesting to learn, but it takes soooo much practice to master it... That's what I'm hoping to get in Syria...
Take care people!

don't be in panic....you don't need to much efforts to get that done, it's really easy to learn Arabic....

it's not necessary to be in Syria to learn Arabic, there are other countries that can be targeted for learning Arabic... but if you are working in Syria and want to learn Arabic that is different...you teach me another language and i can teach you arabic for free, what do you think?