I was at Starbucks the other day, where the manager is a really nice Turk. I told him my latest plan was to return back to Turkey, and visit Diyarbakir (sp) and Mardin again - both places I find to be stunning and fascination. I told him that I was going to Northern Syria after, passing through Qamishli (sp) and eventually down to Damascus. He said that was a crazy idea - one of the tribal groups will surely nab me and hold me for ransom (at best). My friends live in UAE, and said that it is perfectly safe in Syria. I don't want to be more paranoid than I usually am, but what are the security risks in this region for the solo male traveller?
Thanks for any insight.
wanderingboy
1
marcopoloo
Syria is the safest country in the ME.The tribal kinddanping theory is a joke
enjoy Syria
2
wanderingboy
Thanks Marcopolo....That reassures me. I am really looking forward to seeing Syria.
Much appreciated.
3
mesha
As Marco said - its a joke.
I would have thought Diyarbakir was more concerning since its
never out of the news with one thing or another. One must excercise
reasonable caution in any place.
4
jenniferj
You haven't said whether these tribal groups are supposedly in Turkey or Syria but it sounds ridiculous. I and my kids took that route last November - Diyarbakir, Mardin, Qamishle and Aleppo, was around that area for around about a week and never felt in any particular danger! Diyarbakir does have a bit of a different feel to it to the rest of Turkey and look out for exuberant young guys who may be up to no good, but older people I met there were really nice and were often wanting to tell how misunderstood and mistrusted they are by the rest of the country. So, maybe a good idea to not take too much notice of your local Starbucks Manager, even if he is from Turkey and enjoy planning your trip.
5
wanderingboy
Mesha and Jennifer: Thanks for the response. Really makes me want to book the trip now....
Funny that the young boys of Diyarbakir was mentioned. The last time I was there I was actually chased by a gang of youths - probably 15 in all - they tossed a few rocks my way, I stupidly reacted, and they hounded me for twenty minutes, on and off the walls of the city, until a local intervened and took me inside his modest home - where of course we had tea. I have to admit I loved the feeling of Diyarbakir - cools pants and all. Cannot wait to see Syria now - thanks again for dispelling the myths - I know the manager meant well, but it did cause me to second guess myself. Much appreciated.
Mark.
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