The eastern plateau is a lively district that holds a blend of contrasting lives and pursuits. On the more well-kept streets, homes of civil workers and political servants line orderly lanes, built of sturdy limestone with intricately carved lintels that hint at their prosperity. Here, the air is calm, punctuated by the soft sounds of household routines and the measured steps of patrolling guards. Further in, the lower lanes begin to twist unpredictably, filled with the energy of the middle class: artisans, scholars, and traders. Modest dwellings, clay-bricked and sun-baked, stand close together, their walls adorned with tapestries, sketches, and symbols. Workshops spill onto narrow alleys, where lively debates and trade exchanges resonate among the eclectic populace of this area.
