Syria, Jordan, Egypt 2008 Camper (with VIDEO) Travel Camper in Syria, Jordan, Egypt, 2008 - Notes # 1 - 26Gen08 Dear friends, after passing through seven countries, having traveled over 4,000 miles, in 9 days, we arrived in Aqaba on the Red Sea in Jordan, where there we are writing.
During this long trip, we were never cold abandoned. We crossed snow-covered Bulgaria and Serbia. In Turkey, Golbasi at about 1300 mt. Anatolian high plateau, we stayed at 12 degrees below zero, continuing the next morning, on icy roads and lots of fog that seemed to be in the Po Valley. Even
all Syria, we crossed under a surprising snowfall (we have been told that has not happened for over 15 years) and, overnight, reached almost 10 cm in height and with the constant fear of not find supplies. It 'true that 10 liters of heating oil in Syria, cost just € 1 (yes, you read right: one euro!), But the complicity of the many cold winter if they're hoarding for their homes and then terribly scarce ( But there are other Syrians' added that many people buying and reselling at a high price to the Lebanese that being in a climate of permanent war, including the 'scarce. Boh! We do not know what to say, the fact is that after hours of queuing in front of a distributor, all of a sudden, the oil is over and see that everyone runs to form queues in those few other distributors that are provided (ten service areas are literally closed for lack of "stuff" before).
We have also seen real "tension" between the Syrian citizens who waited patiently for their turn in an indescribable chaos. Against us, but 'there' was a race to help us truly commendable. We were allowed to go forward, to refuel before them who were waiting in the cold and snow, who knows' how many hours, to make us ashamed. To prove that the hospitality 'in these countries is still considered a serious matter.
Once in Jordan, the situation and 'literally changed. Diesel fuel there 'even if it costs more' (just 35 euro cents per liter) and also the life and 'more' expensive than in Syria, but for us European tourists, especially with the strong euro, and 'own the case and say that '.. America. The other night we were given a pizza in the heart of Aqaba, the "Pizzeria del Corso" (.. but only the name and 'Italian ...) and in 12 persons We spent 45 euro in total.
Our vehicles by the time you are really doing well. The only problem 'was the Duchy of Alberto that has' failed alternator, but less than 4 hours, Fiat to Damascus, gliel'hanno replaced for just $ 500. (It seems to us that costs about € 700/800).
Yesterday, we "Pucci" for the first time "only" feet in the Red Sea and the water temperature was not just a bathroom, eye 16/18 degrees.
The months of January and February, in fact, are considered the most 'in these cold waters.
the day if there 'in the sun and no wind, you feel good, with temperatuira one that is around 19/20 degrees at night drops to 13/14 degrees, but now we no longer 'turn on the heater. We parked our vehicles at the edge of a beautiful beach and in front of the Red Sea, we have the wonderful scenery of the Gulf of Aqaba, overlooking the city 'israelina of Eilat and the Egyptian Taba. More 'ahead of us, no more' to 3 km there is' the impassable border with Saudi Arabia, which recently is opening at a certain tourism "elite", but unfortunately, still closed to our tourism "plein air".
Monday 'next, January 27th, we have already' booked the ferry to sail in Egypt for a month, visiting far and wide: the Pyramids in Cairo, El Alamein on the Mediterranean coast, the Oasis in the desert, then Luxor, Asssuan, until you reach the 'bottom, the mythical Abu Simbel on the border with Sudan, and then back again to the north and closer to the Red Sea coast.
We do not know to tell you now when we can let you have more news from us via e-mail, 'cause here you will travel' almost every day and along the way, I do not think there are many cafes, but soon we will have the opportunity 'we will get to a keyboard. A big hug to all
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Clipboard 2 - 6Feb2008 After about 12 days since the last email from us, we now have the opportunity 'to make you have new news.
After spending the night in Aqaba, Jordan for about three days, on 27 January last, we embarked on a fast boat and like the biblical Moses' we crossed the Red Sea.
In about 2 hours of sailing, we arrived in the cozy Egyptian town of Nuweiba, where, following an exhausting and elephantine bureaucracy. In all these fronts, unfortunately, information technology is not 'yet arrived in any customs office and if you see some broken-down computers, seems to do a race to avoid straining too much and possibly keep it off. In practice, using more ', fortunately, the "quill pen", but everything is transcribed by hand. You saw the dusty mountains of decaying logs lying on tables unspeakable offices.
A block! With blunders, such as transcribed me wrong chassis number of the camper (documents and numbers are also completed by hand and written exclusively in Arabic and none of us can understand a damn thing and rearrange any error, and 'forced to visit several dusty offices).
All eventually resolved with long pauses, smiles and pats on the back ... and thank goodness!)
After a 4 hour wait in the customs, at last, with new Egyptian plates, insurance, the so-called "triptick, but is extremely important to them, if you get relieved of a substantial loot euro, duties, taxes, (including actual costs and expenses" dummy "), we can stand on the road along the Sinai Peninsula, in Sharm El Sheikh direction, but for the Monastery of St. Catherine in about 1500 meters high, to be able to visit and climb the famous peak of Sinai.
Once delivered, but we did not 'come to terms with the cold at that altitude, it was felt, and how!
visited the monastery, where the gruff, bearded "pope" Christian / Orthodox, there have been reprimanded 'cause we could not film or photograph the historic icons in the rooms, we went out to do the usual photo and literally run away in our camper for the bitter cold.
We then resumed the journey and we're back down to sea level, where the temperature was more 'acceptable and that evening arrived, we stayed in the locality' Ras el Sudr along the Red Sea, with the help of the ubiquitous Egyptian Police takes care of us as if we were heads of state. Sometimes so 'kind to become asphyxiating.
The next morning, passing through the tunnel under the Suez Canal, we came under the Pyramids at Giza, by crossing their fingers crossed for Cairo: the rules of the road for about 21 million inhabitants of this city, and 'simply a "Optional".
The Pyramids: a unique and majestic. And is' in front of 5000 years of history. A light pulse takes me forever, even though I had already 'visit in the past, imagining that in the same place, thousands of years ago, other men, so they could build the' gigantic funerary monuments. I guess even the effect of grandeur 'was able to trigger in the minds of campers who have been friends, so' for the first time in their presence.
The next day, with two taxis parked in the camp after the sympathetic Nasser, in a labyrinth of streets and alleyways to find it (in reality 'the "businessman" and owner of the campsite, and' the big man brother, who works selling carpets) are made to accompany us, let us say "scarrozza" the chaotic "Cairo" to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, Citadel and the great souk "Khan el Khalili" where, already 'knowing, we got to taste a delicious tea, the famous "Cafe 'Mafhouz" which takes its name from the Egyptian writer, Nobel Prize for literature.
The next morning, we went to El Alamein to bring our dutiful homage to the great shrine of our fallen. A very touching scene where we were all in silent meditation for a few minutes.
In the evening the police took us to sleep in an apartment complex sure a few miles away, making even the guard. These cops, our guardian angels, are all young, always smiling and very helpful towards tourists. Really good guys.
Today we arrived in Luxor, after crossing the vast expanse of the Libyan desert / Egypt for over 1,200 kilometers and visiting all the beautiful oasis, with unique scenery of great beauty, the eye ranged
until pale horizon, betrayed by the illusion of vast expanses of water unlikely.
We stayed in the famous and amazing White Desert. A true night of euphoria in the shadow of the white giant mushroom-shaped pinnacles in an enchanting environment and characteristic.
Tomorrow Valley of the Kings, Queens, and the famous Karnak Temple in Luxor.
Today coming, we stopped and admired the famous Colossi of Memnon, all incerottati 'cause in restoration.
We're not even halfway 'path and we have already' grind 'of 7000 km from home, traveling daily from the 400/500 and even 600 km. Among
2 days we move to finally push us to Aswan to Abu Simbel.
It's hot and we're all in shorts and slippers. By day, the sun will also touch on the 26/28 degrees. Who knows' down there 'at the border with Sudan, which will make hot' .. and we are just the beginning of February.
morale and 'always high, and although very tired, we're really enjoying it.
A hug to everyone.
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Clipboard n.3 - 12Feb2008 Our journey continues in a fantastic way.
After more than 16 days in Egypt and almost a month after leaving Italy, 9000 km in total (so far) between the deserts, oases and historic sites of 5000 years ago.
touching the most 'whole journey to the South, visiting the other day, the magnificent, magnificent temples of Abu Simbel (own deserved a visit) a few kilometers from the border with Sudan, we returned to the Red Sea namely the Blue Lagoon Marsa Alam, a superlative Village with many stars, from where you are writing and where this morning, having just cleared the cultural program finished and visit all the archaeological sites of civilizations' Egyptian, we granted a week of relaxation 'absolute, under the hot sun in one of the most' beautiful and extensive lagoons of the coast, between a row of coconut palms , umbrellas and chairs, the exorbitant cost of a few € "all inclusive" with lunch of grilled prawns and lobsters on the beach.
The comforts of this village, we would like to stay for a few days and then go even more 'to the south and reach the beautiful Berenice and explore other 150 km of coastline with coral seabed, we have told the diving, wind-hub.
Today we had a bath in a wonderfully warm pool and tomorrow we will do the bathroom in the beautiful lagoon, wanting to reach the reef. Many guests Settemari (all Italian)
immerse have seen a couple of large turtles and in the coming days and there 'were advised to go for a hike even in the "Home of the Dolphins," known area of \u200b\u200bthe Red Sea, where it is not 'difficult to see them in large numbers over 100, race dolphin that live and procreate in this area for swimming among them)
Then, after this huge "sacrifice" ... you know how. .. all day basking in the sun ... after having satisfied the palate and rested the tired "bones", we will begin to move up the Red Sea coast, to stop in Hurghada, another acclaimed sanctuary tourism and a paradise for divers and returned the Sinai to Sharm pausing and then return to Jordan to visit Petra, the Dead Sea and .... much more ... ..
But this I will tell more 'forward if we have the opportunity' to pick up a keyboard.
Now let's enjoy the animation of the village .. 'cause we have been told that this evening and' the evening Egyptian and there 'a beautiful girl that will dance' belly dancing .... and ... then ... you never know .. as to "what", "created thing" .. sperem that some other "tourist" at the end ... do not even think to emulate. ... ehehhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!! The usual
embrace.
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Clipboard n.4 - 1Marzo2008 reached Hurghada, we stopped for a day, visitors.
It 's a "city" so that I travel a lot and has lost its original atmosphere. E 'literally invaded by Russian tourists, the famous "new rich" so that now there are few signs in Italian and many in Cyrillic.
The next day, as there is no sea crossing to cars, but passengers, including Skarm el Sheik and Hurghada (just 3 hours of navigation) into a single, exhausting stage over 750 km, we reached the beautiful Marine Park Ras Mohammed , A few miles before stopping for a few days in Sharm. Inside the park, there is' an area reserved for camping, but without any service at 15 U.S. Dollars per day. Some of us have paid only the first day, 'cause in subsequent years, and not' more 'showed none.
Day and night, we went in the town of Sharm, also has become "almost" megalopolis, with about 2,000 Italians who have taken home and come here to winter, but here he feels a strong Russian presence.
Waiting to leave for the visit of Jordan (the legendary Petra, the famous Wadi Rum-the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, the Dead Sea and more) and when they have here in Aqaba, a few days of relaxation, (is starting to get really hot and we take advantage to make the bathrooms every day), I can go to some personal reflection on what we have seen so far.
E 'no doubt that this exciting and at the same time exhausting journey, and' could do 'cause there was even a base labile programming of what they wanted to do and see. However some things set forth above, for easy 'path or for contingent reasons, were also changed during the course and we had to govern.
Furthermore, spontaneous acceptance of campers have many friends, this journey, alone, would not have ever done.
Without this necessary premise, based on our experience, travel to most countries of Africa and the Middle East, with their vehicles, one of the major difficulties 'encountered, for us Europeans, not' only understand and be understood, but above all try to "guess" (you just guessing) as a street or road to take to get to your destination.
The technique to be able to disentangle in a cross, since there are no signs and not knowing which direction to take to reach your destination and 'always to ask, relying on the first customer you see. The intersections are so many and it 'a real busillibus "if at the end of a country or in the open countryside will occur two roads. You are forced to rely on the first poor man you see on the roadside and that perhaps is pulling the halter of an ass, or perhaps, more 'simply is riding him, to ask ... Oh ... and ask him' an enormous effort, and 'almost unable to communicate: he does not know English, Arabic and you do not even know where to start and then try to make him some sign, trying to connect with your means, at least to whisper the name of the city, the country or away from achieve and see that the "poor", does not understand, then you think you've mispronounced the name or maybe just does not say so 'in your language, and then you're there', to give up and start the camper to go, when you see that the individual begins to respond to your efforts lip and begins to pull the reins of the donkey, as the "scrambled", just to stop his pace, but none of it, then I rejoined more and more 'and little by little ... and all of a sudden you see the donkey after the man has dealt some good kick up the backside, it crashes, but you realize immediately that the "wretched" has not blocked' ass to know what you want.
He strongly blocked the ass 'cause he saw that side of you is' your wife
that the heat travels with normal (for us) shorts. The comedy scene, and 'you should speak to him and he fixed the legs of your wife, then, cried a bit 'more' to make you feel strong, you see, but he realizes that you dress shorts and starts to fix your legs as well, that among the smiles, gestures and his words incomprehensibly in Arabic, you just have to let him the gesture of his hand and say hello: vabbeh say hi ... well ... the ass and you go to look for someone else who can speak a language to communicate.
Other very important fact that must be remembered, especially in Egypt, but also in other countries, 'that those who enter as tourists with their vehicles in these countries is systematically checked at every checkpoint. Basically want to know everything and always know where you are.
For example, if you enter in that country in 2 or 6 to 7 campers and 'preferable, for their part, which always remains united and exit from that country at once. Otherwise, start the "menate" requests by the police, because 'and not' more 'together, where are the others, where they are headed, when they return there, and things like that .. systematically all the time. We
and 'being done several times.
They say that they do for our "security." Personally I think that what 'we should just respect, but some things are not convincing. Another aspect and 'respect for the armed convoy to cross certain areas of Egypt. If someone does not respect the time of departure, he was politely withdrew passport and returned when it can 'go with the escort.
In Egypt, we have made a total of over 5,860 km (initially estimated "only" 4600,) I
km from home to date, more than 10,000 and we have to make another 5 or 6,000 or perhaps more '.
We touched and visited many places. We toured the length and breadth of Egypt, from the eastern tip of the Sinai (Nuweiba), Egypt, from where we landed, under the Pyramids in Cairo, via Suez, coast-coast to the west side, El Alamein (almost Marsa Matruh, the Libyan border) on the Mediterranean, then in the long from north to south: the desert Libyan / Egyptian, with all the great oasis, Baharja, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga, stopping in the beautiful White Desert and contemplating the extended Black Desert, eventually reaching Luxor (the Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Colossi of Memnon, the Palace of Karnak, the Temple and much more, going to dinner in the evening advanced in a climate of spring, in a beautiful room overlooking the sleepy Nile, which you proceed along for several miles, we also enjoyed the sunset with his exceptional and unique lens feluccas that plied its waters.
Not content with all this, we have gone even more 'in the South until the' eclectic and lively Aswan (with a visit to the beautiful Temple of Kom-Ombo (where the evening, we spent time with Italians who were coming down the Nile cruise) and the Temple of Horus (all sources Ptolemaic) very, very well preserved, to finally reach the apotheosis of the famous Abu Simbel on the border with Sudan, a few miles, and admire the gigantic Temple of Ramses II with its beautiful illustrations Egyptian Pharaoh
more 'big, long-lived and megalomaniac conqueror of peoples and undisputed .. "Spoils-females."
We stayed almost at the end 'south of the Great Lake Nasser, the more' artificial lake in the world.
addition to history, we have also seen a lot of poverty 'especially in Upper Egypt (which is' the one to the south). According to some friends in Morocco are less poor. Personally I could not judge which of these are more 'poor. And certain 'that Egypt with its 80 million people has perhaps the most' problems of Morocco has much less than half '. For me, however, Egypt has certainly more 'story is more' charm.
The part that I was positively surprised, were the good roads in Egypt (I think that even we, in our south, we have the roads so 'wide and paved)
And then, the price of diesel, a real trifle. 50 liters = € 4 and a half ... sic!
course a speech deserves the courtesy, kindness and the immediate availability 'proved to us, at all times by Syrians, Jordanians and Egyptians.
the chaotic (and most dangerous) traffic in the Middle East, but Egypt in particular, we have already 'mentioned, and in fact a confirmation of our fears, unfortunately we just read that Egypt has the sad record of deaths on major roads.
We have used the utmost caution when driving and we have not, fortunately, given even a scratch.
Luckily, in terms of food and fuel, is cheap, otherwise with the excessive costs of the various borders (to bring your camper wants to Egypt, including ferry and customs costs about 800 € for a month - about € 400 in Syria - 250 € in Jordan,
[more 'fuel to cross the coast of Turkey, like us, if not more ', as well as entry visas for Syria and Jordan and Egypt. Everything from 1600 to 1800 euro.
But it really worth it 'cause we believe it is a challenging and exciting journey and that you can' also return to "winter" because 'spouses, as we like, culture and relaxation.
Now we will stop here in Aqaba from 8 to 10 days, by bathing in the warm waters of the Red Sea and sunbathing.
Then, after this relaxing break, we will begin, as I have already 'announced at the beginning of the visit of Petra Wadi Rum and more .... and then started to go back to Syria to visit too and take the sad journey home. Michael and Anita
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Clipboard No.5 - 8Marzo2008 In this pleasant and warm hours trip, we met some "local Bedouins" that we had fun taking pictures and that you attach the images.
(Double Click for larger image)
We do not have the time to tell you anything about the visits, 'cause we're just relaxing here now for 10 days in Aqaba, overlooking the beautiful town of Jordan beautiful Red Sea. E 'useless to tell you that we are almost "roasting" (today the thermometer was nearly 33 degrees and lucky there was a slight puff of wind, otherwise "colavamo)
We are often in water to refresh and snorkel to admire the colorful fish species that inhabit the reef. Today, Friday 'in the Muslim world and the' day of celebration and the beaches were crowded, we who were in costume, we were looked upon as an attraction among women literally bathed and dressed in well with the chador, ehehhhhh!
Some women, though "intabarrate" at all points, but seemingly kind and helpful, they try to communicate with our own, of course, only those who express themselves in English and we can intrerprete ago by Anita.
The men, kind and "curious" love always ask where we came from.
Yesterday, we also celebrated the birthday of Anita (always the same 19 years old) and women of the group have prepared two delicious cakes
Finally, as we see from our satellite TV you've been the "having a great time" between rain and cold, we decided to stretch out a few days between these waters.
Ultimately means almost turned the heaters back "artificial", but here we have the natural ... ... that warms us. ehehhhhhh
's all .... yet.
The usual good night .... Aqaba.
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Notes (Final) # 6 - (with Video) -6-28 March 2008 After more than 20 days since our last e-mail, written by now far away from Aqaba, many km are the ground and in the meantime we have many other beautiful sites we visited.
First of all the beautiful Petra, with his "Honey", appears to you as a charming stage in the wings of a curtain that opens after dark, but fascinating walls of the famous "Siq" with its indescribable pink , has come down almost intact for over 2,200 years ago.
rightly called the 7th wonder of the world!
We also "climb" (that work!), And even "rolled out" down the slopes of the red dunes of the legendary "WADI RUM "made famous by the legendary Colonel Lawrence of Arabia, pushing us into the magical Canyon, with its sand-colored walls, t'inchiodava admiring incredible colors.
We walked the length and breadth of the "Valley of the Moon (also so 'called the Wadi Rum) in a surreal setting with fantastic landscapes and magnificent, where eye, you can not judge distances, because' lack of references" Human.
All this, moving to the edge of a 4x4 Jeep and in the company of a couple known in the Visitor's Center, "which, timidly approached us, asked us very politely if we could sharing expenses with them and visit with the same Jeep. The cost of the Jeep and 'of approximately € 52.
A pleasant day roam between the tracks and where to end, in which guests leave and invite them to our house, when visiting Milan, were curious to see the inside of our camper, expressed their admiration for boldness joints since there.
We literally "float" on the salty waters of the Dead Sea, where, even by mistake, one that would drown, they did so! We preferred, however, '"escape" because' at 420 meters below the sea level, during the day, but especially at night and there 'a hood oppressive and unbearably hot .. and we were just in the middle 'March ... sic!
We went then to pay homage to Moses', Mount Nebo, where he, according to some rest. On this mountain, in addition to photographing the great stylized cross, we took the monument, built in memory of the visit of late Pope John Paul II and at its base we have read and photographed with pleasure, also the name of Venlo, The Netherlands, which, we suppose , has contributed, along with many other Italian dioceses to conduct it.
Too bad the little clear day, we do not have permission to expanding the outlook underlying the Jordan Valley up to reach Jerusalem, who despite being just a few miles from us, and there 'been allowed to visit, otherwise unable to pass through Syria to return home with our means. Truly absurd ... but so much so ')
Going north, we've been even with our camper, within the walls of the ancient, Roman Gerace, Jerash today, with its wide streets and squares, colonnades, admiring between' its other two theaters, and some very well-preserved temples dedicated to the goddess Artemis.
Abandoned Jordan, we came back to Syria. It 'no use to tell how many stamps "print" on our passports. In return, it will affect us' redo 5 years before their natural end 'cause now there are no more' pages to put more stamps and / or visas ... we counted 37! ehehheh and hours of waiting in the ordinary chaos and bureaucracy at the borders, to run to visit the beautiful and well-preserved Roman theater here in Bosra, where, already evening, we've been.
The next morning after about two hours of travel we arrived in Damascus to visit the most 'important mosque after Mecca, the ancient Umayyad. And here I finally saw Anita dress like a Muslim woman to enter (and 'mandatory for women "rented" the tunic, but also for men, if they have the shorts), I insisted also because 'You can also rent the "chador" to be able to take pictures, (but was not mandatory, sin) and I also checked ... ehehhehhh! turns out that the head ... ahahhhh!! . I have also said the "Sicilian" camel, eyes down .. Ah! Joke .. of course.
too but 'almost looked like a "Ayatollah ... and barefoot, I photographed the tomb of St. John the Baptist, revered as a prophet by Muslims also has a large mausoleum just inside this mosque.
To our surprise, we saw and met many Iranian pilgrims, having learned that we be the Italians, with enthusiasm if they conspired with us asking us to end, to be photographed together. Contrary to what you can 'think, has surprised positively the naturalness of some Syrian women, but especially Iran, elegantly dressed in black, his head covered, to approach Anita and talk in perfect English. He saw and felt in them the desire to express themselves and get acquainted with other realities, 'cause we thought, they realize they live in a society' are closed and when outside the borders of their state, not feeling rigidly controlled by the "Guardians of the Revolution" is trigger and try with all their strength to communicate. In particular, he noted to us Italians, the sympathy and goodwill that was bestowed upon them by explicit invitation to visit Iran.
We really believe that trips of this nature, enrich, not only from the standpoint of historical and cultural, but much also from that of human relationships.
the evening in Damascus alone, we left to go in its ancient, narrow alleyways of the souks to reach the new restaurant Narinj "(read: Naringi") to eat a good lunch specialties' premises.
Damascus, ancient and majestic city ', with its neighborhoods, Christian, Armenian, Hebrew, and 'really lively and full of life, especially in his immense "Suq".
continue the journey to Homs, we diverted to go to the "Krak des Chevaliers du" old and famous castle of the Crusaders, who reach the last stretch, we had to travel a road so steep that our poor camper, if was a mule, he deserved the evening a double ration of corn, which has supported the efforts.
We then went to visit the legendary Palmyra, in the middle of the Syrian desert. Again, this stately historic site dating back to Roman times and widespread, as a settlement, whose appeal after thousands of years ago remains intact and tourists flock.
Finally, unplanned, we decided to also increasingly 'in the East to travel along the banks of the Euphrates Bible, visiting many Mesopotamian sites, such as Europos and Mari and touching many truly great city ... paesoni Syrian Interior, as Er Deir Zor and Ar Raqqa, even reaching the border with Iraq. (And here we have our passports checked several times). We then returned to Aleppo to visit the city 'and go to the citadel of Saaman (in practice the location' where it says that an individual, this Saaman just now seems to San Simeon) has lived for many years clinging, as a hermit , on top 'of a post. Mah!
expired long ago only seven days granted by Syria (penalty payment of € 100 more tax as diesel), we returned to Turkey after a good 6 hours of indescribable chaos to the Syrian-Turkish border and had to pay a "fine "12 Euros to the Syrian customs' cause we had a full tank of diesel. (?)
Curious these Syrians: they make you pay a tax on diesel of € 100 per week, but if you leave you saddled with the full well a fine. Boh!, Maybe I'll pretend that means you have to push by hand to cross the border. Strange behavior.
We then stopped at Iskenderun (the famous Iskenderun) and the next day we went to Adana (touching the Kurdish area) passing Icel / Mersin and then continue the next day to Antalya along the Mediterranean and the Aegean.
We still have about 2500 miles to do to reach Igoumenitsa in Greece and then sail for Ancona.
Our campers seem to go well, even if we had to use the Fiat of Hatay, Turkey, for the electrical problems. Promptly repaired. Even an O-ring clutch loses a bit of oil, but of little stuff and assured us that in Italy we will get there safely.
Moreover, tackling such a trip, where to date in 3 months and stressful for us means (think we have traveled over 14,000 km) and 'human to reckon with some dysfunction (another camper on a Mercedes, a ns. friend, a few days ago, the Dead Sea and' broke even the push-disc exchange and another for our friend has pulled a few kilometers and last, and 'had to remain stationary at the Mercedes in Damascus for a few days' cause no other than the piece came from Lebanon) and now 'all right and you and' we met in .
We can ultimately say that until now there and 'its gone really well.
hope back home.
Now we greet you with his usual good-night ... this time .. Silifke from south of Turkey (The country where the Moors' Frederick Barbarossa drowned)
Michael and Anita
Now click
here to see the full video of our trip.
also has its modern Pompeii and it's called Detroit. Not only empty factories, warehouses collapsed failure of industrialization, as well as theaters, schools, libraries into disrepair. A vast emptiness of modern aspirations portrayed with an eye by Andrew Moore, a celebrated architectural photographer and lecturer at Princeton, author of a report published by the decline Damiani (Detroit Disassembled, 40 €). More than Pompeii, in fact, Detroit brings to mind the late ancient Rome, when the immense spaces of the churches were used as a shelter to flocks, on the steps of the theaters are encrusted barracks, the statues were in huge mortars pounded to make lime for construction. Similarly 
How quickly the centrifugal perhaps of companies and interests, bringing energy and wealth elsewhere, have evaporated a model of society that seemed impossible to deconstruct. The title chosen by Moore is perfect: Disassembled Detroit, in fact, the utopian industrial modular dismantled piece by piece. The autopsy of this process is available for a long time in the writings of Alain Touraine, Ralf Dahrendorf, Daniel Cohen, Prem Shankar Jha, for example. And the dynamics of the decline is unclear as it is irresistible: creating global infrastructure that industrialization creates the conditions of the relocation. The entrance to bully machine that reduces human labor to an absolute minimum (the workers are now less than 10 percent of workers). A drastic reduction of production costs leading to the emergence corporate and moves resources in making and marketing. 'Information Society', someone would have called the current system where produce material objects does not cost anything, where the work has little value, but where are counting the advertising and marketing, along with the finance that allows you to draw money anywhere on the planet. A pair of shoes designed in New York, made in Calcutta and made attractive to Los Angeles, for example. 
consists of classes in conflict perhaps, but coordinated in achieving the same project. As a partnership we can be, in fact, between a worker and a contractor on two opposite sides of the world? And what union can there be, when workers are increasingly crucial to the production cycle and there is the impending threat of relocation? Here it is contemporary, as well, where social ties and political fray, the cohesion is loosened and the nation-states, invented by modern production units, fall apart. Where even the artists have become managers who design and outsource production the works. 
happens to Detroit, but also hundreds of industry capital. In Mulhouse in France, Guinea Bissau, or Hashima in Japan by Mitsubishi's industry-island population density hallucinating (to 85 thousand km2), where nothing was missing from work to leisure, and that some would turn into a museum of modern UNESCO deceased. As suggested in the book writer Philip Levine, wherever there are resources policy has responded to the decline in innovation and investing in training, trying to ride the division of labor established by the global world, where you could see the developed countries allocate more complex functions, administrative or creative, but intellectual. Cities such as Hamburg, Manchester or our Turin, have invested many years in the conversion and services. Instead of the industries were born universities, research centers and offices. Not even where they lack the means or foresight: in the industrial areas of southern Italy, in the huge industrial cathedrals of the former Soviet Union, in the same Detroit. Whose uniform, however, now predicts the rebirth in the shadow of Obama's green economy: Speramus Meliora, Resurget Cineribus. 
