OK–Internet availability at the Cairo hotel in Hama–connected to the world again. First, we definitely have our act together in Damascus and can now navigate the city without significant discomfort. I want to dedicate this post to one thing only–ice cream. With great apologies to my adopted country of Italy, the best ice cream, gelato or dolce in general cannot be found in Rome or Florence. Rather, we have found ice cream nirvana right in the heart of the Damascus Al Hamidiyeh souk at the Bakdash ice cream shop. It is a fairly simple vanilla ice cream that is quickly swirled in a thick coating of chopped pistachios. The ice cream is fantastic, the pistachios seem like they were just harvested and the combination is other-worldly. Sorry Vivoli in Florence and Giolitti in Rome–you have been bested. A very close second is a small place on Sharia al Quwatli street in Hama–about 20-30 yards from the Cairo hotel. The concoction is served in a beer mug and seems to be a combination of plain yogurt, honey, raspberry sauce, almonds, pistachios, some other unidentifiable nuts, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries with bananas on the bottom. Not sure what it is called–looks like a parfait and simply unreal. When I think of Syria, I don’t think desert but, wow, what a surprise. Here are a few pics of the Bakdash ice cream shop. More posts soon.
I think you are delusional…. the heat and all the walking over the last few weeks is finally getting to you…
Hey Dave:
Excellent pictures and narratives. Sounds like a great time…especially the ice cream…who’d a thunk it!! Hope the rest of your trip is as good. Talk more when your back in the ‘burgh.
-fish
I SO want one of those parfait thingies!!!! Can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip.
What – no queue at Bakdash?! Normally it’s a beehive like entrance because everyone wants one of Bakdash’s ice cream concoctions which are really really excellent.
I used to live in Damascus and I’d often make it so that I would pass that place on my way back home – I seldomly passed without getting my fix of Bakdash.
Max–Thanks for posting. I think this picture was taken either very late or during a rare lull. I assure you that it was usually packed when we passed by….and yes, we couldn’t pass it without stopping in also. Cheers.
Dave
The ice cream pic all by itself places Syria on my “go-to” list–who cares what else is there to experience. The ice cream looks like reason enough. My taste buds are exploding.