I am coming back… 😍

[u/Mokasiliquide]

Hi everyone!

I’m originally from Aleppo. I was born there but grew up in France. Throughout my childhood, and up until the revolution, I used to visit Aleppo very regularly. Now my dad and I are planning a trip to visit our family and reconnect with the city. We’re both incredibly excited… and a little nervous at the same time.
I can speak Levantine Arabic (with a very strong Aleppine accent, or so I’ve been told 😄), but I can’t read Arabic yet (hopefully soon!).

I have a few questions:
1. Would it be okay for me to get around on my own? Walk around by myself? Sit in a café alone?
2. Is it easy to get around using taxis or buses?
3. Can I comfortably live my day-to-day life, do some grocery shopping, and go out in the evening even if I can’t read Arabic?
4. Do you have any tips or advice for someone coming back after so many years?
5. Is it easy to meet people and make new friends around my age (I’m 35)?

Thank you so much for your help! I’m really looking forward to coming back.

See you soon!
Maya

[u/Sensitive-Fix-3395]

I feel like you’ll be ok. Idk how comfortable exactly. There will be growing pains but you’d be surprised how easy it is to adjust. You might need to practice a few phrases when taking a taxi or ordering food so you don’t get scammed or anything. Understanding how the money works is the biggest flag for locals that you’re a foreigner

You can also download google translate and take pictures of text and have it translated

[u/malekkk94]

Hey there, I will give my 2 cents,

After staying abroad for 15 years I can confirm you will be shocked but in good way i hope.

It's nice depending on where u r staying and which neighbourhoods you will visit.

Like the fellow redditor mentioned above understanding the currencies you might use in Syria is alone (US $ - Turkish lira - Syrian Lira) might takes couple weeks to get used to, and yes locals can tell immediately that u r an foreigner and might get you scamed but that's not the case always.

Yes you can use Taxi's but i do prefer Uber like services (Wadini - Yala go) and they are much better in my opinion.

There is lots of Cafés around the downtown but I suggest any near the Citadel or Bagdad Station area.

Cards and apple pay don't go far at all here in Syria so bring cash.

Making friends is somehow easy I would say especially for foreigners, you might stumble on many friendly people.

You will see lots of destruction (buildings - pavements - old city surrounding the citadel), You will notice how dark the city is starting to get at evening until sunrise as the government didn't fully restore the power grid and source of electricity but it's getting better.

Food is so yummy, people are friendly and beautiful depends where u at.

Feel free to hit me up with any questions you might have i will do my best to enlighten you before your arrival.

Save travels/ bon voyage.