Today we had a 7 hour layover in Damascus en route from Aleppo to Istanbul. We had wanted to see the Crac des Chevaliers but hadn't been able to yet. Always up for a ridiculous and pointless challenge, we started asking the rental car companies how much for the day. 3 Day minimum they told us. And no map. The Crac is 3 hours away. Sounds great! Lets roll. :-)
Last comment 07/06/18.

Since our only map was overview map for the country in our Lonely Planet, we had to rely on signs such as this one to guide our way. When this failed us, we wasted an hour trying to find a tourist info center. They had a map for us, yay! But now we have exactly 0 minutes to see the Crac. Time to see how fast our little Peugot will do..
Last comment 04/19/22.

Notice how the speed of the car is pressing Sara's skin into her skull. We certainly weren't going to turn back now! That would be much too rational..
Last comment 08/13/20.

Behold the Crac!! With a little luck and a lot of stupidity we made it.
Last comment 04/19/22.

Don't I look proud of myself..
Last comment 04/19/22.

We allot ourselves 15 minutes to sprint through the castle and get back in the car. Literally. We had to catch our breath at the top just in time to sprint back down.
Last comment 04/19/22.

And now the real test - can we make it back to the airport before our plane takes off? With our new map we we were looking great! We could cut out a large chunk of our drive on the way back.
Last comment 08/13/20.

That is, unless you count the fact that (1) we drove straight into the stop-and-go Damascus rush hour and (2) despite my assurances that we had plenty we ran out of gas within 10 miles of the airport. Muhammed, God bless his soul, walked me into town to buy a gas can and then fill it with gas.
Last comment 08/14/20.

We reached the airport at exactly the time that our plane was supposed to take off. Sara ran in to plead with them to hold the plane. I still had to return our rental car. Afterwards, as I was walking dejectedly toward security I see Sara frantically waving me in. "My 11 years of competitive running and weight training were all in preparation for this moment" I thought as I body checked an elderly couple. The plane was delayed! We even had to sit 5 minutes at the gate.. What a day. :-)
Last comment 08/12/20.