Lattakia And The American Vehicles
by Adriano Contreras | Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

I like Syria. I was consumed by the magic of Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world. We’ve in Syria for 6 days now. For 4 days I’ve been in Lattakia and the magic continues.

This time I find myself at children’s summer camp in Lattakia, off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The camp is in poor conditions, but what would you expect in this part of town. If you walk outside the camp, you’ll find yourself in a Palestinian refugee camp. Not of the United Nations tent variety, but still a designated area for Syrian-Palestinians. This camp has been here since the expulsion of the Palestinians from their land. Its filled with 3 and 4 story buildings.

Its not surprising, having visited the poverty of the Dominican Republic, that the poorest people are  the most welcoming people. But I must say that the Palestinians not only welcome you, they give you their heart, soul, food, bed, time, and attention.

I was taken in off the street after filming a local Palestinian Scouts marching band that left our camp and into theirs. I talked with the older scouts (well over 40 years old) about occupation and the struggle. I was served coffee and offered cigarettes. There were jokes and very serious often angry stories. They were glad to have me there. They gave me an official scouts shirt and tie.

Scouts are part of an international movement to teach Palestinian children and adults about their heritage as well as build community, friendship, and skill. Their marching band has bagpipes!

While at the scout’s headquarters I was invited to someone’s home for sweets. I was a bit weary, but I went ahead and accepted. Man… Nice home, warm family, and delicious delicious delicious Palestinian cake. We chatted about Hamas and Fatah. The resistance of the people themselves was where we agreed that true allegiance lies in this struggle.

Then I met Firas. He plays bagpipe in the scouts marching band. Awesome guy. 17 years old and knows some basic English. After interviewing him and getting a short tour of the refugee camp, he decided to accompany me to the internet cafe and we planned out some hang out time for afterwards. His friends Sameer, Mohammed and Fateh joined us.

We used the internet, played pool, went for falafel, and then coffee and argeelah (hookah). They didn’t allow me to pay for a single thing. On top of that they won’t let me carry my own belongings. And they’ll only do whatever I wish to do. In return I teach them English words. They also insist on teaching me bad words in Arabic and then trick me into saying them louder while in public.

I’ve stayed at Firas’ home the last 2 nights and the hospitality of course has been great. I walk down his street and suddenly have an entourage of people yelling my name and following me. Shop owners yell to get my attention and others try to practice their English as well.

This place wraps you up (if you’re open to it). Maybe its the circular rather than linear concept of time. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes” is not 5 minutes and clocks are merely used to keep track of when the sun will go down I suppose. ‘Eventually things will work out’, is sort of the name of the game here. Inshaallah! So what’s the rush?

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The American sedans, mini-buses, and small trucks have united with the Turkish, British, Syrian, Jordanian, and Belgian vehicles. They arrived here yesterday morning and set sail on a ship in the afternoon for Al Arish. The convoy being delayed has benefited us in that respect. We stand 190 vehicles strong.

We may leave for Al Arish in the next 24 hours. The local teenagers have made the wait for our transport to Al Arish way easier for me these last couple of days. Its hard after 4 weeks, and sleeping in a camp cabin with a door hanging on one hinge, to not get frustrated. But this is the type of experience that a convoy like this produces. On the one hand frustrations with the journey, and on the other, a reality check from a people without a land or a dime giving you everything they’ve got.

Tags: Al Arish, convoy, Damascus, egypt, Lattakia, Syria, Viva Palestina

10:12 am. Viva Palestina.