Earthquake and wildlife

This whole area was one of the worst affect by the big earthquake of last year, along with northern Syria. Over 100,000 people were killed and millions left homeless. A lot of work has been done to start to recover but many people are still living in temporary portcabin-like homes. In the cities there are many city blocks where the ruins have been razed down but which are still heaps of rubble, and some high-rise buildings still have the top floors open and ruined. However there is lots of new construction going on. But the most noticeable fact is that many high rise buildings DID survive - those that complied with the regulations for earthquake proofing.

As we drive through the countryside and hills we see bits of local wildlife. Yesterday we stopped by the side of the road to watch a family of gazelle - a adult male and female and a couple of kids. Today we saw some desert foxes. Very handsome!Read more