We left Amman today via taxi enroute to Damascus. At the Jordan/Syria border, it initially looked as if we would enter Syria without issue. One of our fellow travellers failed to have an entry visa to Jordan, which sounded off alarms for the Jordanian officials. But after a bit of negotiating, the passport was stamped and we were allowed to proceed. We hopped back into the taxi, applauding the fact that the near mishap had been avoided. We drove less than a half block only to be told we would now need to enter Syrian customs. The Syrian officials were not as complacent about our situation and one of our colleagues was not allowed to enter Syria and has now returned safely to Jordan. WE continued on. We are meeting with a journalist this evening who is covering the Iraqi refugee crisis. I received a phone call from her earlier today alerting me to the fact that our meeting would need to be discrete as the atmosphere here is far less open and perhaps more challenging than in Jordan. Time will tell.
Friday, February 1, 2008
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2 comments:
Thankyou for the informative and interesting diary of your trip so far. I hope that it is productive and safe. Today we had disturbing news about an Al Queda attack in a Baghdad pet market, and we hear that 2 mentally retarded women were unwillingly strapped with the explosives that killed 100 and maimed hundreds more. It will be interesting to hear how the displaced Iraq refugees feel about the US pulling out and if they fear that more than what they currently have to deal with.
Love to my pal Ellen.
cs mill valley
A snow storm in Amman? Very unusual but probably a reflection of the frigid reception a report entitled "Designed to Fail" will get from the designers! Good for you. Have safe and productive travels.
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