The Price is Right

By Sara

As we have both touched on in previous posts, a dollar goes a long way here. Having spent the last 12 years in Manhattan where one can barely find a cup of coffee for that much, Damascus is a cheapskate's paradise. A few examples of approximate prices:

* a cab ride almost anywhere within Damascus: $1.00 (50 Syrian Pounds)
* fresh pack of 5 very large pita, baked same-day: about $.40
* 250 ml bottle of olive oil: $1.25
* 1 liter bottle of mineral water: $.50
* a copy of the (government sponsored and subsidized) Syrian Times: $.10
* 7 bananas, 4 nectarines, 2 tomatoes (my fruit stand purchase today): $3.00
* 1/4 lb of Turkish coffee: $1.25
* average price for domestic cleaning help: $10.00 per hour

Certain goods are pricey, like books (in English), Hagen Daaz & Gatorade (found both of those out the hard way- and yes, that's what I get for buying that dreck anyway), and iced lattes from our neighborhood Starbucks knockoff are $3.00.   

Comments

[weldon berger]

"average price for domestic cleaning help: $10.00 per hour"

For real? That's considerably more than the work generally pays in the U.S. ... was that a typo?

[Sara]

You're correct- more like $12.00 per shift.

[Joshua]

Maddi Tunstall scored four goals and Sarah Williams had three as the Chatham Belle 'A' Thunder went 1-0-1 in two road games Saturday. Tunstall's hat trick led the Thunder to a 5-5 tie with defending provincial champion Elora-Fergus in the first game.
http://de1.presentapartregard.com/map-2.html