For anyone who knows any better, there is a world of difference between Damascus and Aleppo. The former is more cosmopolitan while the latter just is. This is especially noticeable with chains (of restaurants and clothing stores, although Aleppo does have a Benetton). Anyway, I always figured that it was because Damascus is the capital city, so it gets the good stuff first and with Syria generally being a poor country, that means everyone else – even the financial hub that is Aleppo – must suffer.

A few days ago, I overheard a different explanation. It may not be true, but it certainly is interesting.

The story goes that 25/26 years ago, as Hafez al-Assad was visiting Aleppo, there was either an assassination attempt or talk of one. Shortly after that, he opened up a can of Whoop-teez on the Muslim Brotherhood in Hama, who apparently had connections in Aleppo. Ever since then, this fair city has fallen out of favor with the government. This is why, supposedly, a building that can get erected in six months down in Sham would take two years or so up here.

Supposedly, Dr. Bashar’s wife is from somewhere near here, so it’s slowly starting to change, but aside from that aforementioned Benetton store, you wouldn’t know it. For instance, if you need to get your “jajj” on, you still have to go to Damascus for “Kentucky Chicken,” although I would do so at your own risk. Supposedly it’s crap.