I imagine quite a few people are thinking that there is no normal life left in Syria. But if they were on site they would be proven totally wrong. For the past year, the issues have only been affecting certain areas of the country and most of the cities, towns and villages are experiencing a more or less normal life. Not that everything is ok and unchanged; one could not claim it to be business as usual. Prices are going up, the economy isn't doing too well and many shops have closed long time ago.
This is only one side, though. The other is that you can still leave a peaceful and good life in Syria these days. It all depends on where you are living. Damascus for instance, the capital itself, is peaceful and tourists and locals can move around freely. There may be checkpoints at certain times on certain motorways, roads and streets but in general things are ok.
It is a different story once you move outside the very capital. Checkpoints are more common and there are entire areas which are being cordoned off most of the time. Overland travel still is possible as of January 2012 between the big cities but buses may take alternative routes at times. It all depends on the specific security situation. And at the end of the day, there are many fun-loving Syrians who are still flocking into upscale coffeeshops and restaurants in Bab Touma, Malki or Abu Rumaneh!
