Life in Damascus and Surrounding Areas

MA'ALOULA, SYRIA - SEPTEMBER 18: The nuns of Saint Thecla monastery in Ma'loula, September 18, 2012. One of the nuns of Saint Thecla monastery in Ma'loula steps outside of the sanctuary during prayer to answer the phone. They are vocal supporters of Bashar Assad and fear a sectarian war. Ma'aloula is a village built into the side of a mountain is historically Christian and with many churches, monasteries and convents. It is also one of the last Aramaic speaking communities in the world. It has not had any sectarian or revolutionary violence though there have been incidences of small groups trying to incite protests and calls to religious fighting. The muslim and christian communities have been working together to try and keep calm though. (David Degner/Getty Images)