The Road to Damascus

Or more like the airway. Nice day. Got up after 10 – Mark got almost 12 hours sleep and seemed better. Decided to go check in and see if we could get in the Star Alliance lounge. Worked out great – the BMI lounge was super nice. And had Internet so I could catch up with Facebook and home e-mail. And work e-mail. Finally got food. Flight to Damascus was nice – about 5 hours and had an empty seat in between – courtesy of Star Alliance Gold membership. Managed carry on – have learned through the years to pack lighter and lighter. Passport control was interesting – the agent clearly looking for Israeli stamps in our passports. Met our guide Sharif who sent us past baggage claim. Mark of course didn’t listen and wandered around so we almost missed the bus. The ride to the hotel took an hour – stayed half an hour outside Damascus. A nice Sheraton. Guess this makes the Jules Verne tour more “affordable”. We’ll spend five nights in Syria – three in Lebanon. Travelling with an English group – which seems “safer”. Not that I feel unsafe. I felt more unsafe in Baltimore last week when I had to go “preside” over the supersonic flight public session. Our guide is letting us get up a bit later tomorrow. He’s realized it will be Friday and the “souk” – the market – will be mostly closed. Glad for the extra sleep – and for not having to experience the souk in its full glory – all the pushing and shoving. Do not have blackberry access – not even GSM. This is good – will help me stat “present”. Mark’s phone gets GSM – so I’ll be able to call Anthony. I’m surprised I still miss Anthony on vacation. Our hotel at Heathrow had two extra beds all made up. For Anthony AND Juanchi -- :-)