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RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed March 30, 2005 03:05 PM UTC
yes, syrian police's main work is to steal as much money as possible from tourists ; but it is true in almost every country in the world.
Of course syrian citizens will say that it occurs everywhere except in syria , because in syria everything is perfect
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RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed March 30, 2005 03:09 PM UTC
Hey, thanks for the story! It's from back in 1998, hope things have changed for the better since then.
Anyway, I intend to do a similar journey one day, so I'd be curious to see the feedback.
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed March 30, 2005 04:49 PM UTC
travellers use to say that the gaziantep-kilis border is better to enter syria ; you are less harrassed by the police than the border at antakya
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed March 30, 2005 07:05 PM UTC
OK ... I thought about Gaziantep. It's not far away and doesn't make much difference getting to Aleppo. I'm surprised that the Police in a busier crossing should be so much more aggressive in extorting from tourists.
Thanks for your info. I'm actually considering dropping the whole trip past the Turkish border and simply flying to Egypt. It's a shame that the ferries no longer run to Egypt.
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Thu March 31, 2005 06:23 AM UTC
same problem at damascus airport ; I gave 400 french francs (before EURO)to the cashier to change money ; he told me that I lied and gave only 300 french francs ; at last, he found back the missing 100 francs ; all these guys do not know all the harm they do to the reputation of their country
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Thu March 31, 2005 09:08 AM UTC
I think that kind of behaviour is quite common in economically-challenged parts of the world, but there does seem to be even more of it in the Middle East, according to the stories I'm reading during my research. Ce mec à l'aeroport? - Quel connard!! :)
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RE: Horror stories? Posted: Thu March 31, 2005 05:20 PM UTC
hy there
sorry, maybee a bit off topic, but i dont think the it is only about the economy, if you take yemen or sudan ( OK Sudan not middle east, but anyway) i could make very positiv experiences there and the poeple are for shure not te whealtiest. For my friends in Iraq Syria has a far better image than Jordan about beeing honest. once again... all depends of the point of few..
greeting
christof
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Thu March 31, 2005 08:41 PM UTC
I agree with civilian. If you want to see the good sides you'll see them or vice-verca. Just enjoy your trip. Dont think any negative things. I am planning a tour by my motorbike to Middle East (Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, S.Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Iran on 2006 summer. I've also red lots of negative things, but I dont care. I am sure that people of these countries are very warm and helpful. Just keep your eyes open and dont let the dealers and polices cheat you. Thats it!
Good Luck
ozhan u.
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RE: Horror stories? Posted: Fri April 1, 2005 12:19 AM UTC
hi
I want say that all people some times they have bad thigs and some times have good things in every where so i wish you have good thing all time but generally the borders now is better than before and if you have any problem ask for the main police man and he will help you
best wishes for you
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Fri April 1, 2005 05:43 AM UTC
ozhanu, have you made your testimony , because if you cross all these countries by motorbike , sure you won't survive to all the hijacks and horror stories (jail if you do not give money to the police, rapes, yes rapes); if you have a good TV set and DVD set, I would be happy to receive it after your death
oooookkkkkkk it is a joke !!!!!!!
but think to me anyway about TV and DVD
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Fri April 1, 2005 07:36 AM UTC
Hey, guys! The original story is not so scary after all. It's just written in a way to exaggerate the "horrors", because that's what makes such a vacation different from an all-inclusive seaside resort. Those two people had plenty of choices when deciding on their destination, and obviously opted for an addrenaline-packed tour of the Middle East. To me it all sounds a bit like the fishermen's stories, but, OK, I was born and raised in the Balkans - another addrenaline tourist destinatiion.
Happy April's fool everyone.
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Fri April 1, 2005 11:18 PM UTC
Dear fabrice,
I've forgatten to mention that I am Turkish and I was born and lived in Turkey -the backdoor of Middle East. I've been in Europe first for 3 years when I was 9 years old and now I am living here for 4 years for my PhD. I have had also some bad experiences in Europa with police, people and especially in the customs just because of my passport. So, as far as I can say that, thats all around the world. Approach is very important. You have to obey and respect the culture, life style, believes, etc.. of the places that u are visiting. The Mtorbike issue: I am sure that I am not the first (and the last as well) and only the one who is gonna do that tour. I've meet with lots of biker who are already complete this tour with a little of trouble. If there wouldn't be a trouble than there is nothing to explain:) This summer I'll go from UK to Turkey by my bike and this will be a test ride for me.. Anyway.. have fun u all.. ozhan u.
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RE: Horror stories? Posted: Mon April 4, 2005 04:54 PM UTC
NO COMMENT.
www.fw.hu/sziria
Rami
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Mon April 4, 2005 10:44 PM UTC
Dear albateh
Thanks for the link for this wonderful site. But, unfortunately the Syria maps are wrong. Hatay and Iskenderun are belong to Turkey and they are inside of the Turkish border. You may see the correct map from the link below.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/turkey_pol83.jpg
Thanks
Ozhan Unverdi
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Tue April 5, 2005 06:26 PM UTC
I think I know our map very well, and I think it is correct 100%
Thanks
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed April 6, 2005 01:21 AM UTC
Wow, what a story! Gosh, that was a terrible story. I crossed the Syrian land border into Jordan last May...with no problems at all( I was leaving Syria though, so not sure if its different when entering), but I had no issues. They asked a few questions to the driver, but that was all..they were nice, smiled and sent us on our way. I had a hotel driver who drove me from Damascus to Amman I do agree though with the night drivers ( not all are like that, but i had the scariest taxi ride from Damascus airport into the center of damascus where my hotel was. He drove with one finger on the steering wheel and one hand he had a cigarette in his hand, driving so fast i was really afraid. Also, i wasnt sure where he was going to take me because he kept trying to get me to go to a hotel where he knew people ( i guess to get a commission) and i kept saying no , i had a hotel..so during that ride, i admit i was afraid, but it all turned out fine. He took me to my hotel and it was ok.
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed April 6, 2005 07:47 AM UTC
no it is a wrong map, in a right map syria includes palestine lebanon egypt iraq and all turkey !!!
those who contest are zionist enemies imperialists hahaha
so when is democracy starting in syria???? even in north Korea they want to start ...
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Wed April 6, 2005 07:45 PM UTC
So what is Democracy?
The one who believes in democracy never imposes his opinion on the others, specially when they have the right of living the way they decide in their own free country.
At least the Syrian borders are well known in the united nations and all over the world, but untill now no one know where the Israelies borders end.
Thanks.
Albateh
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Sat April 23, 2005 02:38 PM UTC
Oh dearie me!
"Power grows from the barrel of a gun ..." wasn't it someone once said?! :-)
Guy
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RE: RE: Horror stories? Posted: Sun April 24, 2005 02:19 AM UTC
someone also said that: "Justice is only for the strongest"
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