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3/2/2009
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Sunhouse
4/10/2019 3:54pm
4/10/2019 3:54pm
Edited Date/Time
4/14/2019 11:39pm
Hi guys,
Just thought I´d let you in on my Easter holiday this year. Two years ago it was Iran - which I loved. This year it will be Syria. Took me so long to plan and book. I encountered so many people who would take me there, only to have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to see almost nothing (Damascus, and little else). Last year I ended up going to Chernobyl instead of Syria, due to not finding a suitable "guide" in Syria.
I have done a bunch of research the past three years and finally came across someone who could take me to the places I want to go.I found him through seeing the German Tv network RTL using him for guidance. I`m not going there to see suffering and ruins, but to me give an idea of the country without the islamists we`ve seen trying to take over the country since 2011. I know some of these trips seem like total ego-trips (which in some ways they are), but to me Syria has been important. I have lived in Australia, and my best friend there was a Syrian immigrant (90`s). We are still close, so I figured, why not go there and see if his stories are right. He is a Christian Syrian, so obviously he supported Al Assad in the conflict. The frontline has moved closer to Iraq, so I should be OK seeing Aleppo, Palmyra and Crac De Chavallier (a medieval fort from the crusades). Eastern Ghouta and Homs should be on the way.
Anyways, I know a few of you like the stories, so I will try to post some pictures and insight along the way. There is no way of sending money to Syria, so I have to bring a ridiculous amount of money to the country. (3400 USD). I`ll have to to do it like The Wolf Of wall Street, strapped to my body, haha.
Anyways, I will post pictures along the way, some will be shite, and some will be decent I reckon. I have a GoPro, a shitty Nikon 3100 and a mobile phone. But most of all, I can extract HD images from the GoPro, which are usually the best.
Since my last post, I`ve been to Samoa and Fiji via OZ (to visit family). I didn´t post any pictures of that, as they seem like pretty bland destinations compared to NK, Iran and Syria. Fingers crossed I can land in Beirut and give my contact the money for the hotels, transport etc, as they are under heavy restrictions. I do believe they have wifi though, so maybe I can post a picture of Syria with my laptop on Vital, so you know it is for real. If not, I most likely failed
Will keep those who are interested posted
Just thought I´d let you in on my Easter holiday this year. Two years ago it was Iran - which I loved. This year it will be Syria. Took me so long to plan and book. I encountered so many people who would take me there, only to have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to see almost nothing (Damascus, and little else). Last year I ended up going to Chernobyl instead of Syria, due to not finding a suitable "guide" in Syria.
I have done a bunch of research the past three years and finally came across someone who could take me to the places I want to go.I found him through seeing the German Tv network RTL using him for guidance. I`m not going there to see suffering and ruins, but to me give an idea of the country without the islamists we`ve seen trying to take over the country since 2011. I know some of these trips seem like total ego-trips (which in some ways they are), but to me Syria has been important. I have lived in Australia, and my best friend there was a Syrian immigrant (90`s). We are still close, so I figured, why not go there and see if his stories are right. He is a Christian Syrian, so obviously he supported Al Assad in the conflict. The frontline has moved closer to Iraq, so I should be OK seeing Aleppo, Palmyra and Crac De Chavallier (a medieval fort from the crusades). Eastern Ghouta and Homs should be on the way.
Anyways, I know a few of you like the stories, so I will try to post some pictures and insight along the way. There is no way of sending money to Syria, so I have to bring a ridiculous amount of money to the country. (3400 USD). I`ll have to to do it like The Wolf Of wall Street, strapped to my body, haha.
Anyways, I will post pictures along the way, some will be shite, and some will be decent I reckon. I have a GoPro, a shitty Nikon 3100 and a mobile phone. But most of all, I can extract HD images from the GoPro, which are usually the best.
Since my last post, I`ve been to Samoa and Fiji via OZ (to visit family). I didn´t post any pictures of that, as they seem like pretty bland destinations compared to NK, Iran and Syria. Fingers crossed I can land in Beirut and give my contact the money for the hotels, transport etc, as they are under heavy restrictions. I do believe they have wifi though, so maybe I can post a picture of Syria with my laptop on Vital, so you know it is for real. If not, I most likely failed
Will keep those who are interested posted
BTW, have you been in the French Foreign Legion? your avatar is FFL
Glad you will be away from those areas, but please keep in mind that security is relative and much of it falls upon you. Really hope you enjoy your time there, some good folks there, just turn in so many directions. Definitely interested in your trip, photos will be appreciated and enjoyed.
Yeah, safety is an issue. I reckon my trip would have been safer last year when the front line was more defined. Now there may be pockets, sleeper cells etc. lingering. Still I, feel like the Syrian Government woulnd`t let foreigners into risky areas given the bad press and lack of PR it would receive
The Shop
You sure have a big old set of balls on you. Hope it's everything you want it to be. Good luck.
I pursued the ugly and dangerous with most of my time in the 13 DBLE, some 2e REP. Had a death wish and being young, didn't care. Too many destinations to name here.
I really miss those days, my years in the USA Army was not nearly as intense for many different reasons.
Just try it mate, live your dreams whilst you may. Looking forward to your trip photos and such, stay in touch.
2e Rep, that´s para, right? Damn, it would be my dream to do service in 2nd para, but I could be unlucky and be appointed truck driving or something. I just think time has ran out for me in regards to FFL. For some strange reason I find it cooler to serve with the FAMAS than the HK416. I know it is silly, but it what I associate with the FFL.
Also, I spent 6 years at uni getitng a law degree, so it would be 5 expensive years. However, I feel like the hands-on approach, and the professionalism is intriguing. What did you do upon returning home?
Your time hasn't passed yet! Your background could be valuable to the Legion, but it may not be as glamorous as Para or Djibouti. But the grunt life is a tough go for sure. It is all what you really see for yourself deep down, not surface level. You may not even get selected, but the though of showing up and trying will continue to be on your mind.
The FAMAS is the Legion, very much a trademark and I agree. If you did try and made it, prepare physically, mentally, linguistically, etc and you'd be a easy choice for what you really want.
Anyway, the trip to Syria awaits and new times with some new people. Enjoy what you have chosen!
I'll stick to the TOPLESS beaches at our local lakes and look forward to your mad adventures!
Stay safe
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