Comments on: On not having my throat slit in Syria

By: Cynthia L.

Cynthia L. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:13:06 +0000

This is lovely, Ronan. I have similar stories of hospitality from my time just outside of Skegness. (You remember my trip to Skeggy!) So don’t give up on your own people just yet.

By: Jeremiah J.

Jeremiah J. — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:47:10 +0000

I’d say you’re beating up a straw man, Ronan, but I guess it is pretty believable that some Westerners would think that Syria is dangerous for tourists. In fact that Middle East as a whole, absent the country the U.S. is curently occupying, is one of the safest regions in the world for American tourists (I don’t know numbers for Brits).
So yes, visit Beruit, Damascus, Amman, and Cairo.

“Just this week I was arguing with a group of 15-year-olds that not all Americans are “stupid and fat.””

Sorry, I haven’t been as dilligent in fostering good relations over here. Americans adore the British to such an unhealthy degree nowadays that I’m constantly trying (half-seriously) to whip my students into a Jeffersonian or Celtic disdain for the UK.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:15:41 +0000

When we were in the middle east, one of my son’s best friends was Syrian, and the other Pakistani. Great kids, from wonderful families. Our kids’ piano teacher was Iranian. Our doctors were Iraqi. I miss all of them & would love to go back.

Thanks for this post.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:41:45 +0000

In defense of Great Britain (including London), I met some wonderful people there as a solo backpacker. I’ve noticed that people tend to be friendlier to solo travelers as opposed to groups, and that people in non-touristy areas tend to be the friendliest. Traveling opened my eyes to the goodness of people more than anything else ever has.

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:21:35 +0000

As a fat American, I really resent the conflation of fat with stupid.

By: Ronan

Ronan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:17:02 +0000

Bridget,
I just had a look at your blog and remembered, with great fondness, the wonderful thing that was Pizza Hot.

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:35:53 +0000

Thanks for this post.

I lived in Syria for a year in 2004-2005 and have gone back a couple times since then for visits. Everything you experienced there in your short trip holds true for a longer stay as well.

The Damascus branch is also my favorite place to go to church, but don’t tell the Syrians that since we don’t officially exist there.

By: david knowlton

david knowlton — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:48:29 +0000

I would love to visit Syria. You make me want to pack my bags.

By: Ronan

Ronan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:45:47 +0000

Kev,
Mormons should also not compare our worst with their best. Put the cinder block ward house up against Chartres and you lose!

By: Kevin Barney

Kevin Barney — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:41:39 +0000

Great stories, Ronan. Your point is actually one of the three suggestions from Krister Stendahl about how to relate to other religions: don’t compare your best against their worst.