I am enroute to Bruxelles and very sad to leave Syria- but as the British and Canadian embassies ( Canada helps out Australians when we don't have an embassy on the ground) were pulling out it would have left our group without consular support, and it was still possible to get commercial flights out. There were so many rumours flying around and information hard to get and often through outside news agencies ( whose reporting I have no faith in- what footage are we seeing and exactly where) that the many Syrian people we encountered were themselves bewildered and worried , and simply want to get on with their lives .All I can say is that I do not consider Youtube to be intelligent and informed reporting of huge events affecting the lives of people, that when such footage is used ,context is important and news reporting agencies are not providing context and they seem to be using footage without being on the ground in the places they are reporting about.
On a personal level- Syria was lovely as ever- the people kind and charming, we did not encounter any troubles, though the atmosphere in Deir ez Zor was tense ( they thought I was a reporter and that of itself says something about the trust that people may hold for reporters). I am deeply worried about what will happen and hope that the outcome will be peaceful.Syria is a remarkably secular society and is nothing like the western media has made it out to be- it is a place where usually I feel safe and at ease, even in the last weeks, where strangers become friends , where history seeps through every stone, yet life is very much part of present.
On a personal level- Syria was lovely as ever- the people kind and charming, we did not encounter any troubles, though the atmosphere in Deir ez Zor was tense ( they thought I was a reporter and that of itself says something about the trust that people may hold for reporters). I am deeply worried about what will happen and hope that the outcome will be peaceful.Syria is a remarkably secular society and is nothing like the western media has made it out to be- it is a place where usually I feel safe and at ease, even in the last weeks, where strangers become friends , where history seeps through every stone, yet life is very much part of present.
6 comments:
Glad you are safe - these are often difficult decisions to make, as I fully agree, impossible to sort the wheat from the chaff news-wise. ENjoy the rest of your time away. Cx
I, too, am glad you're safe.
On another note, your photo collage is fascinating. Would you be willing to elaborate on these?
you sum things up very well, it is a lovely secular place and i do worry for our friends, seems there is also a few hidden crazies and i wouldn't want them to get the upper hand. happy travels in Europe
Fiona
Glad you and your group are safe; and your tour wasn't too much shortened. We don't know exactly what's happening, but medias report numerous people killed every day.
You'll feel quieter in Belgium. See you soon.
Thank you for this wonderful post. I felt like I was traveling with you! So much to learn about different countries and their cultures and traditions.
You are certainly lucky to be able to experience it.
vous fashion.thank pour le partage
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