For the Home Front V

Yes, this is going to go on for a while. We're still in Saida. And it rained. And the sea was rough.

Waves crashing over the castle in the sea in Saida



Facing the old Saida (Sidon) souq is an old crusader castle. It  was built in 1227 on a rocky outcrop in the sea, and connected with a bridge to the mainland. The crusaders had, by that time, been roaming around the region for already some 120 years, and the town had switched hands from crusader to moslim side already a number of times. It seems King Louis of France lived in that castle when he was on pilgrimage. It then changed hands between several knight orders, back into Arab hands, the Mongols got hold of it once, and this went on and on and on, until an earthquake in 1837 left it for what it is today.

As far as crusader architecture goes, this one is not that interesting. For a really good one I suggest you go and visit the one in Syria; Krak des Chevaliers. When you get there, you wish you had a time machine. 

At the castle, we ran into a bride preparing for a photo session. The poor thing almost got blown off the ramp. “Keep hold of the bride,” a policeman jested, “she’s going to fly off before he can take her home.”

Here comes de bride. The groom is locking the car. How thorough to think about locking your car on your wedding day.

This must be the bride's maid; somebody's sister.

She's almost taking off

He eventually pinned her down on that pier. For life.

To be continued.