The Second City Theory

American parlance dictates that Chicago is known as "The Second City", after New York, but it has developed another meaning for me. The second city is often the better city. I liked Cape Coast more than Accra, Saigon couldn't beat Hanoi, and Siem Reap was better than Phnom Penh.

And lets face it, Vancouver and Montreal are better travel destinations than my beloved Toronto

As I sit in my room at the Baron Hotel, I  peek outside my window. I know this moment, and I feel like a cat in a new apartment on moving day. A cat will hide under the bed, then gingerly appear, moving in concentric circles until comfortable, until the bearings are found.

 And this cat is no different. When I find myself in a foreign city, my first move is to take a walk around the block, recording landmarks, leaving mental breadcrumbs, so I might find my way back.

So it is in Aleppo, as I find myself stepping out from the very friendly confines of The Baron Hotel. I cross the street to get a look at the hotel from a distance. I note that the nearest corner contains the offices of three different airlines.

Not knowing where to go, I play a game of Rock,Paper, Scissors with myself and righty wins, so off I go turning right and up a main road that vaguely reminds me of Yonge Street in Toronto. As is my wont, I walk and walk and walk, still amazed by the fact that I am now officially in "The Middle East".

The first thing that strikes me amidst the bustle is the sheer whiteness of everything. All the buildings are white, or formerly so. The darkest buildings are light beige. The architecture is spectacular.

After a long journey, I'm feeling famished, yet reticent. I see a lot of places selling takeaway Shawarma/Donair/Gyros, bakery's with exquisite pastry and the local version of pizza by the slice. The only proper restaurant I pass is Mexican, and I absolutely refuse upon principle to eat at a Mexican restaurant in Syria.

Eventually, I end up scarfing a Shawarma streetside, and man is it good. I chat with the man at the stand. He asks me where I'm from. He welcomes me to Syria and I know its dumb, but in that moment I begin to feel very much at home and comfortable.

Indeed, Aleppo is a great choice, even if it is a "second city".

Next up, The Citadel and the most historically accurate old market in The Middle East.

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