No Just For Fashion (Robb Maciag)

The Eupharates has been listed in history as a landmark as old as ages. Along with the Tigris it divided Mesopotamia up into different areas for different tribes. The same could be said for today and as well started to travel down the river towards the Iraqi border we began to notice a change in the people and then landscape. The river is like an oasis in the middle of this part of Arabia. Small towns and villages line its banks because of the vital water it brings before it moves on into Iraq.

Riding into the storm (Robb Maciag)

Intrigued by the life that this river brought we intended to cycle to Al Bukamal a town which bridges the river before the border. However, the closer we got the uneasier the authorities got so for everyones peace of mind we bridged the river a little further up and continued on our way. But as we met the inhospitality of the Syrian Secret Police we were also me t by the unwavering hospitality of the people of northern Syria. As the landscape more and more barren, the possibilities for pitching the tents discreetly became increasingly limited. As a result we stayed in the company of some of the friendliest families I have ever met. One night was spent with a man and his eight brothers. Each was different but yet all unmistakably brothers and as I sat and watched their sons play fight on the grass I imagined what these men had seen together over the years and the play fights they had had. So as we leave Syria I am reminded again of its unwavering hospitality and kindness coupled with mumurs of sinister political undertones but still a country which has always entranced me and does so more now that I have visited it.

Mass Milking

Haji Ismail's Family

A Dusty Break

Which Way to Go? (Robb Maciag)