OF COURSE people matter more, but that fact that IS are in charge of Palmyra is something that makes me hold my breath today, waiting to hear what will happen to it. We were lucky enough to go there in March 2011, and I wonder sometimes if we were one of the last tourists to get there and marvel over it.
It’s not just buildings, it’s the complete and utter wonder at how such a symbol of ancient civilisation has survived for so long.
And the contrast with the desert around it just makes it seem more of a miracle.
The fragility – and yet obvious strength – of it.
You feel that with one flick of a finger the whole thing will come tumbling down (oh how I hope not).
And all the time we were walking around, my heart was beating at how extraordinary those ancient builders and engineers were, how ambitious, how much meaning there was in the designs, and how humbling it was to be walking amongst the ruins. Suddenly the whole world and my petty worries flew into perspective. We are all so small in the scheme of things, so why not just do our best, do good things and enjoy it. And what a relief that is. It’s why places like Palymra matter.
