The journey through Turkey was amazing, we seemed to be going through mountain after mountain. You can see some of the views that I saw along the way in these photos. I got to the bus station at Antakya in Turkey early in the morning and had to wait there for a few hours before the Aleppo bus left. I noticed a few other 'westerners' that looked like they would be taking the same bus, but didn't engage with them. The bus left on time and we got to the Turkey - Syria border after a while. Had to get off and get a stamp in the passport - no problem. Arrived at the Syria border control office and I can only describe what happened as SURREAL.
I had no visa to enter Syria, but had read somewhere that I shouldn't have any problems getting in. We (me and the other foreigners) were brought into the office of a big fat general who was eating his breakfast. He asked us where we came from, filled out some form and stamped it. We then went to a counter outside where they stamped the form and we were asked for money for the visa. I was ripped off, as they were looking for $ US dollars which I didn't have. I paid in € Euros and got hardly anything back in the change. Then we went back to the generals' office and money changed hands, but in such a comic way to seem as if I taking part in an amateur play or I was watching a really bad movie being played out. Got to the hostel which was near where the bus let us off and had to have a shower to wash away the dust of travel.
First impressions of Syria - it's not as developed as Turkey. Yes they have motorways in Syria, but the houses along the road look like shacks and it seems to be a poorer country. Aleppo seems to be a big, busy city, a bit dirty and polluted. But I like the place, it's got something about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment