Today, I have started looking for a good Accomodation for myself. I am presently staying in a suburb locality of Damascus called Dummar. The locality is quite good and posh but is quite far from the office. I wanted to cut down on the travel time. I presently go in a cab to another area called Mezzeh to catch up the office bus. I have ventured out today in search of an accomodation in Mezzeh.
I have found out a real estate agent yesterday and have taken his appointment for today. I have luckily managed to convey my need for an apartment with whatever little arabic I know and with some broken english words and signs. The agent has taken me to a couple of places. I havent liked one but two others were quite good enough but little out of my budget.
Not knowing the local language was a very big handicap for me. Luckily a couple who were showing me their place today managed to get some girl on phone who could speak English, quite well I should say. Through her I have managed to understand the terms and conditions. I like the house though as the decor and the condition is good saving one problem that it is in the third floor and has no lift. May be it is a good way to exercise. If at all I decide to take it. I realised that it would be better if I can take up my local friend who would know Arabic to speak about all other matters before really making any decision. I dont know if I could bargain to reduce the rent a little. Today it struck that if only I could know a little bit Arabic it would have been much better. I have seen the real estate agents and his colleagues speaking among themselves in Arabic. I do not really know what were they speaking among themselves. Something about me...Not sure.
However, the overall experience was very good to me as both the house owners and the real estate agents were really nice and very helpful to me. They were trying their best to make me understand about their house, facilities offered, rent, terms and conditions etc. I have also tried my best to exchange a few curtosies like Marhaba (Hello) and Shukran (Thank You) and Ma Salame ( Take Care). I realised that the few broken words of Arabic which I spoke made them really close and happy. I have resolved that I should learn a little bit more of the local language fast.
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