"Syria...No Need to Say More Than That " a Syria Travel Page by RblWthACoz

So first let me share with you the story of how I ended up visiting Syria. In early 2006 I decided I wanted to take a vacation. But I had nowhere in particular I wanted to visit. So I made out a list of places I picked off the top of my head at random. To fill the list so that I could make it an even 20 and to make sure I had another location in the Middle East, I put Damascus down. I then told my friend to pick a number between 1 and 20. They picked 18...I ended up in Syria.

I will admit that personally I was wondering exactly how safe it would be as an American to travel in Syria. Without hesitation I can tell you that Syria is extremely safe to visit. Crime is virtually non-existent and most people recognize the difference between "civilian" visitors and the U.S. government. They see that the people of the country are not really responsible for the actions of the government. Or at least they are faking it enough so that we will still come visit and spend money. :-) Every person I met upon informing them I was American said to me: "Welcome" or "You are welcome in Syria". I can only offer my experience and opinion as an American traveling alone in this country that at no time did I feel in danger, not welcome, or in a bad place.

Hospitality and warmth is an art form here. People love to talk and also practice their English. To think after visiting and meeting the people and seeing what I have seen, that our two countries are at odds almost pains me. When I see fathers and young sons laughing together in a jovial mood; when I see restaurant owners popping all the bubbles of the bubble wrap packing material; when I talk with other men about women; when a bedouin I meet looks worn out and tells me he has the flu; I realize even though we have differences, we are all the same...and we all want the same things.