My new favourite word - ubiquitous

There are a number of things which have pervaded every day of my travels so far. I may be stretching the definition of ubiquitous a touch but I would like to share some of them.

Flags and nationalism/patriotism - Turkey seemed to have giant flags perched atop every second hilltop (some in some fairly weird localities) and on 19 May, in every store window. In Syria (or Aleppo at least), Syrian flags can be found on the rooves of many many buildings.

The evil eye - in Turkey it is a charm designed to ward off evil spirits and guard against the evil intentions of others. One now adorns my wrist and and has pride of place on a t-shirt I bought in Istanbul.

Eggs - it occurred to me this morning, as I was savouring my breakfast and soaking in the view from the terrace on the fourth floor of my hotel, that I have had an egg for breakfast on every day bar one, since arriving in Turkey. A couple of the shops I passed in a souq were piled floor to ceiling with at least a couple of hundred dozen!

Bread with EVERY meal - in Turkey it is thickly cut from a fresh crusty loaf; in Syria it appears to be the flat pita bread style (warmed).

As I think of more I will add them to this post.

How could I possibly have forgotten......

Call to prayer - I have got to the point where I notice if I miss one. I actuallyenjoy hearing it. I could do without the apparent rhetoric or ranting that came with it in Aleppo (this was, of course, the sermon that accompanies every call to prayer in the middle of each Friday).

Mobile phones - I don't really know why, but I wasn't expecting that everybody would have one. I guess some things are the same all over the world.

Games of soccer in the street - I only wish my toe was better so I could join in.

D & G Ripoffs - from the sign at Ephesus that proclaimed 'genuine fake watches' to the veritable mountain of brand name clothing, it is every fashionista's nirvana (or possibly worst nightmare).