The border crossing went more smoothly than I anticipated. It certainly helped being part of a group on a bus. The Syrians seemed interested by my occupation (I didn't have to eloborate more than public servant) and the Vietnamese visa in my passport. Just over the border I was ushered from the comfortable, air conditioned coach to a Syrian microbus. If you can picture a 20 year old 9 seater van, with a wannabe race driver behing the wheel, you'll have a pretty good picture!
The ride into Aleppo (known as Halep by the locals) was interesting to say the least
. Professional drivers could learn from the overtaking manouvers that all Syrian drivers seem to perform with ease! Not for the first time in the last 24 hours, when we were dropped off in Aleppo, my first thought was "Oh Shit" what have I let myself in for? My second thought was, well Pete, you're certainly in the Middle East now! A few minutes later, my composure returned, I decided to trust my instincts (and the little information I had garnered from the Lonely Planet) and started to walk. After about 20 minutes (and only 1 wrong turn) I was able to reliably locate myself on the map and also the street of the hotel at which I intended to stay. Having been awake for more than 30 hours at this stage, this realisation bought on an emotion close to unrequited joy! My fallback position had been to flag a taxi (there are thousands in Aleppo) and be taken to the Sheraton for a night of luxury!
After one false start, I found a room in the second hotel I entered and was greeted warmly in far better english than I had anticipated. I lashed out and got a single room with a full ensuite, including a western style toilet (I have avoided the arab squatters so far) for the princely sum of $16!
Today I have marvelled at the view from atop the Citadel and wandered aimlessly through the souqs (narrow covered alley ways lined with shops and stalls selling anything and everything) that seem to stretch for miles. The Syrians are a genuinely friendly people, but they could probably learn from the Vietnamese when it comes to public health and the storage of meat!
With my travelling mojo successfully ratchetted up a few notches, this is a country that I feel I will come to adore.
The ride into Aleppo (known as Halep by the locals) was interesting to say the least
. Professional drivers could learn from the overtaking manouvers that all Syrian drivers seem to perform with ease! Not for the first time in the last 24 hours, when we were dropped off in Aleppo, my first thought was "Oh Shit" what have I let myself in for? My second thought was, well Pete, you're certainly in the Middle East now! A few minutes later, my composure returned, I decided to trust my instincts (and the little information I had garnered from the Lonely Planet) and started to walk. After about 20 minutes (and only 1 wrong turn) I was able to reliably locate myself on the map and also the street of the hotel at which I intended to stay. Having been awake for more than 30 hours at this stage, this realisation bought on an emotion close to unrequited joy! My fallback position had been to flag a taxi (there are thousands in Aleppo) and be taken to the Sheraton for a night of luxury!After one false start, I found a room in the second hotel I entered and was greeted warmly in far better english than I had anticipated. I lashed out and got a single room with a full ensuite, including a western style toilet (I have avoided the arab squatters so far) for the princely sum of $16!
Today I have marvelled at the view from atop the Citadel and wandered aimlessly through the souqs (narrow covered alley ways lined with shops and stalls selling anything and everything) that seem to stretch for miles. The Syrians are a genuinely friendly people, but they could probably learn from the Vietnamese when it comes to public health and the storage of meat!With my travelling mojo successfully ratchetted up a few notches, this is a country that I feel I will come to adore.
1 comment:
hello pete..
hmm..can i get ur advise if i want to travel to egypt,jordan n syria..
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