There were 17 people packed into the minibus that took me from Turkey into Syria. Three women from one family were wearing burkas and there was a "discussion" at the border when one of their husbands tried to convince the Syrian guard that the women shouldn't have to remove their veils to reveal their faces. He lost and each of the women, for just a quick flash, lifted the black fabric.
This made me worried that Syria would be ultra-Conservative and that I'd have a hard time getting used to it after relatively-liberal Turkey. Fortunately, there are women here without burkas, chadors or hijabs. Some wear T-shirts and are perfectly comfortable approaching handsome Canadian tourists to offer a welcome to Syria.
Lots of people come up to talk to me here. Even Syrians who don't speak English know how to say "Welcome to Syria." They ask, "What is your country?" and when you respond they say, "Canada very beautiful." A group of teenaged boys added an extra "George Bush finished!" followed with "Obama!"
The only time I've seen Syrians unfriendly is when they drive. I saw one laying on his horn while a traffic cop helped an old man with a cane cross the road. In Iran and Turkey, drivers deftly steer around pedestrians. Here in Syria it's like they're aiming for you!
This made me worried that Syria would be ultra-Conservative and that I'd have a hard time getting used to it after relatively-liberal Turkey. Fortunately, there are women here without burkas, chadors or hijabs. Some wear T-shirts and are perfectly comfortable approaching handsome Canadian tourists to offer a welcome to Syria.
Lots of people come up to talk to me here. Even Syrians who don't speak English know how to say "Welcome to Syria." They ask, "What is your country?" and when you respond they say, "Canada very beautiful." A group of teenaged boys added an extra "George Bush finished!" followed with "Obama!"
The only time I've seen Syrians unfriendly is when they drive. I saw one laying on his horn while a traffic cop helped an old man with a cane cross the road. In Iran and Turkey, drivers deftly steer around pedestrians. Here in Syria it's like they're aiming for you!
Well Robert, you have had one accident already so!!! Good to hear from you so often. Take Care eh.
ReplyDelete