Shh... I'm in Syria
Aleppo, Syria
Just a quick note that I've arrived safely in Aleppo, Syria after a long bus ride from Goreme, Turkey. The border crosing into Syria was rather uneventful. There was a huge line of trucks and passenger cars waiting to cross, probably 1-2 kilometers long, but for some reason the bus is allowed to just drive up to the front, which was cool.
First you have to exit Turkey, which just means that you give your passport to the bus drivers assistant, who runs into the office then comes back a few minutes later with your passport stamped. The bus then moves about 100 meters forward, where a customs officer boards the bus and inspects all the passports. Once passed, you are now in no-mans land as you make your way to the Syrian side. There are dozens of trucks all parked inside this zone, presumably waiting for paperwork to clear.
Your first sight of Syria is an awfully well maintained duty free store, with lush manicured grass all around it. The strange thing is that the border crossing is in the middle of some seriously harsh land. Mostly just rolling rock hills, very little vegetation and almost no trees. So it's kind of odd to have this big lush lawn. Sort of like those golf courses around Las Vegas I guess. Outside the duty free store is a sign that reads:
Just a quick note that I've arrived safely in Aleppo, Syria after a long bus ride from Goreme, Turkey. The border crosing into Syria was rather uneventful. There was a huge line of trucks and passenger cars waiting to cross, probably 1-2 kilometers long, but for some reason the bus is allowed to just drive up to the front, which was cool.
First you have to exit Turkey, which just means that you give your passport to the bus drivers assistant, who runs into the office then comes back a few minutes later with your passport stamped. The bus then moves about 100 meters forward, where a customs officer boards the bus and inspects all the passports. Once passed, you are now in no-mans land as you make your way to the Syrian side. There are dozens of trucks all parked inside this zone, presumably waiting for paperwork to clear.
Your first sight of Syria is an awfully well maintained duty free store, with lush manicured grass all around it. The strange thing is that the border crossing is in the middle of some seriously harsh land. Mostly just rolling rock hills, very little vegetation and almost no trees. So it's kind of odd to have this big lush lawn. Sort of like those golf courses around Las Vegas I guess. Outside the duty free store is a sign that reads:
"Welcome to our free shop."
Sadly the bus didn't stop because I would have liked to see all the free stuff. At the Syrian border, everyone has to get off the bus and follow the assistant inside, who hands all the passports to an office for inspection. While sitting in waiting area, I noticed all the following signs (spelling mistakes are on purpose):
"My dear traveller, If you face any trouble, please contact the responsible officer."
"Dear visitor, you are welcome in Syria, the cradle of civilization and history."
"My brother travelers, If you wish to claim or comment on the work at the center, please connect with the following phone number..."
"Dear guests. You are welcome to Assad's Syria. In case of any complainments or any comments regarding your comfortable entry to Syria, Please send a direct fax to the office of the General Customs Director."
"Your comfort is our concern. We wish you a good stay in hospitable Syria.
I guess the Syrians are trying to improve their image or something because they sure come off as friendly at the border! After about 1 hour on the Syrian side, we all got back on the bus and continued on to Aleppo, arriving around noon after leaving Antakya, Turkey at 8.30am. All that for only a 3.50$US bus ride!
I'm now checked into some hostel/hotel in downtown Aleppo and about to head out to get some lunch and explore the city. So far, I've already seen around three hundred thousand satellite dishes, so that's kind of interesting. Otherwise, I've only walked from the bus station to the hostel, which was around 500 meters!
Off to explore,
Kenny
posted by Kenny Carruthers at 11/22/2005 03:01:00 AM
<< Home