In The Beginning......

Image via WikipediaThe first chapter of Murder On The Orient Express does not begin on the Orient Express, it begins on the platform of the train Station in Aleppo, Syria.

And a lot of other things begin in Syria. Both Damascus and Aleppo lay claim to being the oldest continuously occupied city's in the history of humankind Let others flock to Italy or Greece or Egypt on their overpriced and generic tours, I'm putting my faith in Syria.

Istanbul is re-emerging as one of the great cities on the planet. Historically, Istanbul has always been a crossroads, a place where civilizations meet. In an increasingly globalized world Istanbul remains the conduit through which all history must pass, and the true interpreter of a global era.

Either way, I am nervous and excited.

I will try and keep you posted along the way, but many of the countries that I plan to visit block Twitter, Blogger,Facebook and Youtube.

I'm Syria-ess

Image via Wikipedia

Recently, I read a lovely blog post about how travel and falling in love release the same feeling in our brains. We're scared, we're not quite sure what is ahead, but we are willing to make ourselves vulnerable to an unknown that could change our lives, despite the risk.

It is absolutely true, and I felt that feeling as I passed through customs in Ghana, when I approached Angkor Wat and as I lunched in Halong Bay, Vietnam. It was the same rush that I feel when I fall in love.

And while I may not yet be reciting vows, I am developing a serious crush on Syria.

Fly to Istanbul, catch a train to the Syrian border, and after that maybe Lebanon, Northern Iraq (Kurdistan) or Jordan.

Best of all, I won't be home for Christmas, thus avoiding the blind intersection of forced generosity with empty spirituality.

Yes, I think I'm in love.

http://www.goyestoeverything.com