THE SYRIAN SERIES
LEBANON, SYRIA
The Syrian Series reflection post. So currently on my way back from Syria and it was without doubt everything I had expected and more. The original plan was to visit here back in 2019 but with other issues and COVID it was delayed almost 3 years.
I HAD MY EYES OPEN DURING THIS TRIP
I had heard so much about this country that it had to put it at the top of my list so as soon as visas were approved, I was booking a flight and making my way asap.
WHERE IS SYRIA?
Syria
THE HISTORY
The history here is like nothing I have ever heard, even it’s recent history puts our own to shame and with more castles than the entire series of Game of Thrones you won’t be running out of things to see. Krak des Chevaliers was a great starting point but that was only bettered by Saladins castle just beside Latakia, neither of which should be missed.
THE DEVASTATION
We only get a hint of what happened here during the war so it’s heart breaking to see it all first hand. Our drive to Aleppo was much more than you could ever imagine and the destruction was more than what meets the eye. With every town that has been decimated means 100s of 1,000s of people have been displaced.
TRIP STATS….
- DAYS – 10
- COUNTRIES – 2
- NEW COUNTRIES – 1
- REVISITS – 1
- FLIGHTS – 4
- STEPS – 133,100
- MILES TRAVELLED – 7,440.5m
ALEPPO
Aleppo was a highlight in the way I got to chat with several locals. This was key to my trip as I wanted to get many different sides of the story while I was here. I was shocked and humbled at the absolute generosity of the Syrian people, considering what they have been put through, none more so than little Rama.
RELATED READ: SWIMMING WITH SHARKS IN THE GALAPAGOS
PALMYRA & DAMASCUS
Further evidence of the war was obvious in Palmyra where one of the most historic Roman temples was blown up, leaving just the entrance door. I almost feel this region of the world has too much history, with too much water under the bridge creating many issues on many fronts. And with its geography, Syria has been treated like a battlefield by many with little disregard to the lives that have been lost.
Damascus was the final city before going onto Beirut and you could see it had been sheltered during the war. With the Bazaars in full flow life appears to be very good here. However the issues in Syria, like my own home are far from over.
RATINGS….
- PEOPLE – 8/10, generous
- BACKPACKING – 5/10
- WEATHER – 7/10, almost shorts weather in December, colder in Damascus.
- THINGS TO DO – 7/10, plenty of ruins, castles and things to learn.
- FOOD – 7/10, Syrians love their food
- VALUE – 8/10
- PHOTOGRAPHY – 8/10
- HISTORY – 9/10, mind blowing
- SAFETY – 7.5/10, no issues but security remains tight.
The Syrian series reflection post
SUMMED UP….
- HIGHLIGHT – Chatting with the locals in Aleppo.
- LOWLIGHT – Seeing the extent of the devastation. The drive to Beirut.
- MVP – Jed & Age
- LVP – The return Lebanon driver.
- RATING – 8/10
The Syrian series reflection post
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s a little sad leaving the place but I can certainly say I have had a huge learning learning experience. Firstly, the country is full of good people, I chatted with many even only for a short time and most would give you the clothes off their back. It’s also got history like I have never heard before, some of which left me speechless. And lastly, there is so much more to the war than could ever be explained. There is an incredible amount of unfinished business and people still remain divided.
NEXT UP
The 2021 reflection post, click here to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
151/229
This post was part of The Syrian Series. For episode 1 click here or to see the entire series click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
