mary-ann wythe

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Joined: 30/06/2008

Posts: 1966

Dear All
I am boooked on the Journey through Syria and Lebanon thats scheduled to depart on Sunday week 14/10/2001. I would be especially interested to hear from anybody who has completed this tour last month or those who have gone to Syria / Lebanon in the past re attitudes towards Westerners especially if there were upsets in the region at / about the time of your visit. I'm presently trying to weigh up my options balanced against the views of my family about my trip at this time.

Many Thanks.

Anonymous

Posts: 4064

Re: Previous travellers to Syria / Lebanon

I've not been to Lebanon but did go to Syria earlier this year. The Syrians were probably the most friendly and welcoming people I have ever met. As there is still not thousands of westerners visiting Syria, you are naturally a bit of a novelty - they are very interested and curious - but this interest is never ever in an aggressive or hostile way. I was on an Imtrav tour but as a female had no qualms walking in the streets or souqs alone. Everyone just wants to be your friend.

Anonymous

Posts: 4064

Re: Previous travellers to Syria / Lebanon

I agree totally with what you have said. As a woman I was treated with far more respect in Syria than I was in Jordan. I felt that it was a real privilege to go to Syria.

A general tip tho'in the Souks. If you have very blue eyes be prepared for people staring directly at them. I found wearing sunglasses was my camouflage - noone paid me the slightest bit of attention after that.

My husband who also has very blue eyes and blonde hair had the same experience (he did get followed around and propositioned by a male scarf seller in Aleppo!)

Tourists should be perfectly safe because at the end of the day there is a lot of state control of society. I was in Damascus when President Assad died and people were very intent on being seen to do the right thing because the feeling was that the Government men were everywhere. If a western tourist were to be attacked, the consequences for the individual involved would be great.

Another way of looking at it is that if anything happens, you will have been in the middle of something momentous. Travel is an adventure.

quote:
Originally posted by blue:
I've not been to Lebanon but did go to Syria earlier this year. The Syrians were probably the most friendly and welcoming people I have ever met. As there is still not thousands of westerners visiting Syria, you are naturally a bit of a novelty - they are very interested and curious - but this interest is never ever in an aggressive or hostile way. I was on an Imtrav tour but as a female had no qualms walking in the streets or souqs alone. Everyone just wants to be your friend.