From Turkey to Syria
Trip Start
Sep 18, 2008
1
10
50
Trip End
Dec 07, 2008
Today we left the hotel at 8am to start our drive to the border. We got to the travel agency where we were getting our taxis from and we said goodbye to Alan and Catriona, Michael and Andrea and Dorothy and bypassed Keira and Ilhan as they had their "group hug" with Hawke and Stuart. We got into our taxi then drove down the road and were stopped by police who checked our passports. We then kept driving and came to an area where we had to get out and show our passports and they gave us our exit stamps and then we drove on a bit further and then stopped so our taxi drive could buy cigarettes at duty free, then we drove a bit further and finally came to the actual border where our driver insisted on pointing out that the No Man's Land area was filled with mines!!! We crossed into Syria and got out of the taxi to fill in an entry form which we also have to use when we leave. There was lots of confusion amongst the group because we didn't know where we were staying in Aleppo but they all got stamped and we were allowed to continue. We got back into the taxi and drove a bit further and stopped again as a guard looked at our luggage and asked what they were! Ah duh!!!! And then we thought we were finally on our way untilwe stopped again to fill up with diesel for $2!!! Full tank!!!!!!!!!!! The driving here is definitely more scary than Turkey but I still think it is better than Egypt! It took about 1.5 hours to reach Aleppo and our hotel and then we had to wait for our tour leader Bashar before we could check in. He arrived and straight away seems so much than Ilhan - cute too!!! He told us that we would have a meeting that night and that if we wanted once we took our bags to our room, he would take us to get money, food, drinks and show us some of the sites. He told me that I wouldn't be able to exchange my Turkish Lira into Syrian Pounds though - but I could do it on the black market!!! Bashar told us that we should only need 12 000 Syrian pounds for our whole time in Syria. That sounds a lot but it equals about AUS$500, how cheap is that!!! We got our money out and then he took us to a felafel place which cost us 25 syrian pounds - under $1 for a felafel in pita with salad and a drink. He then took us to a fruit smoothy stand, but I was still drinking my 7up so I didn't have one. Tried some of Peter's though and it was really good. Would make a much nicer breakfast than what we have had. Bashar then took us to the old city which is where the main Souq is and we had a wander but didn't buy anything cos most places were closed as Friday is like our Sunday - day of worship. Was really wanting to buy a top though because all of mine are waiting to be washed. Will have to try and pull a fairly clean one out of my laundry bag for tomorrow. I know yuck but I'm desperate. We then made our way back to the hotel (with a little help from a nice policeman) and now just waiting to go to our meeting. Looks like it is going to be a well organised tour. When we arrived Bashar gave us a sheet with useful tips about Syria on it, the places we will be staying and some useful phrases - so much better than Ilhan. Oh well, going touring tomorrow so looking forward to that. Hope everyone is well.
