One trip in about 1993, I came back from Doha to load in Damascus. The load was some drilling equipment from Deir ez Zor, destination Norfolk.
I ended up waiting a week for the machine to arrive and to clear customs, so during my wait I went to the old famous hotel where Lawrence of Arabia stayed, The Hotel El Baron. What an interesting place, the old leather Chesterfield sofas and old dusty paintings were as if time had stood still.Even the bloke behind the bar looked as if he was still working since the old days.If any of you guys have been there you will know what I mean.It was like stepping back in time.I also went for a walk round the Grand Bazaar and bought some bits as you do, it is a bit like the Bazaar in Istanbul only more Arabic !
I bought some ancient coins that came from Tudmur, dating back to the early 600AD.
Happy days.
GS
About bleeding time GS, where you been, I knew there was ‘no way’ you had told all your stories
How’s the book coming? and don’t give it all that old flannel about being busy swanning about in your boat either 
The first time I was in Damascus was when I called in to see Sammi Sarrissi to get me a Saudi visa.There was a number of us there for a couple of days and we had one night in a hotel,but this was the Sultan hotel.
This place too looked extremely ancient,along with the waiters.I’ve told the tale before about when we were having breakfast and the ancient portly waiter was taking our orders,and one guy asked for boiled eggs.The waiter repeated everyones order to be sure it was correct,and he said to my mate,"You asked for boylecks Sir?"To which my mate replied,“I asked for BOILED EGGS not bollix!”,to which the waiter replied without batting an eye,“Sir,after 25 years in the British army,I know the difference between boylecks and bollix!”
We also did a tour of the Souk.
This was in 1976.
Don’t remember the name of the hotel but my stopover in Damascus opened my eyes to the traditional generosity of Arabs/Moslems to travellers and no amount of nutters intent on death or destruction will change my view.
In the foyer there was a constant pot of chai (tea) always on the go for the use of anyone anytime completely free. In the room off it there was a crowd of Arabs watching a comedy show on TV. We stood there in complete mystification until one man insisted on translating all the jokes, thereby depriving himself and those nearest of half of them. My how we laughed. Didn’t understand a single one, but politeness costs nothing. 
Spardo
You are absolutly right, the Turks and Arabs would always invite you to drink chai, they held us drivers in high esteem, more than can be said of certain parts of western civilisation, I remember one trip at Haditha,standing in line waiting to get my manifest stamped and the customs chief called me " eh Brittany, tal sherub chai"( come british, come and drink tea" so I left the queue of Turks, Lebanese, egyptians etc in the baking hot sun and gave my papers to an indian who was working for the Saudi customs. Myself, Bob Poggiani and one other brit who I can’t remember went inside and sat down on the floor of an airconditioned office, we were served tea from the little copper teapot and offered water melon which was just ripped open by hand.
What a relief from the heat.
That didn’t often happen, it just depended who was on at the time you were there. By this time I had mastered some Arabic Language and they were fascinated that I had made an effort to learn their language. They spoke of Rick Ellis, who had also learnt some Arabic.
We were ambassadors for our country and anything you could do to make the job easier, was done.
Next trip wasn’t so good, I had my tanks cut open.!!!
GS
GS OVERLAND:
and offered water melon which was just ripped open by hand.
GS
I was warned to stay away from them in case they were raised in the drain. 
To greet any Arab customs man or policeman in his own language was an instant ice breaker.A stern looking passport controller,when met with,“Salaam alay kum,sabakair”,would instantly change to a smile.Whether smiling at your attempt at his language,or the pleasure of a foreigner going to the trouble of learning his language I don’t know,but it paid off in most cases.
I speak quite good German,but I found that using that language with the police in Germany only served to get you into more trouble.The Germans don’t like a smart @rse!.It’s better to limit your German to,“Nicht verstehen!”.
a bit of a guide when meeting islamic or arabic speakers.
(1)When you meet him, greet him;
(2) if he invites you, accept his invitation;
(3) if he seeks your advice, give him an honest and sincere advice;
(4) if he sneezes and praises God, bless him;
(5) if he falls ill, visit him; and
(6) if he dies, attend his funeral.’
richiessex:
About bleeding time GS, where you been, I knew there was ‘no way’ you had told all your storiesHow’s the book coming? and don’t give it all that old flannel about being busy swanning about in your boat either
Richie
Im still here, been busy with the boats etc, over the Easter period
My laptop suffered terminal failure, so I am restricted to using my Blackberry which isnt quite the same. Still got loads of stories !
GS
GS…fancy mentioning Rick ellis…havnt heard that name in a long while…where is he up to now…and good to hear your stories and escapades…
regards
trucky…
truckyboy:
GS…fancy mentioning Rick ellis…havnt heard that name in a long while…where is he up to now…and good to hear your stories and escapades…
regards
trucky…
I used to meet up with Rick quite often.Cheeky bleeder used to call me,“Poser” just 'cause of the extra’s I’d fitted to my 142,fitted kitchen,TV,fridge and shower.
Rick in the queue for Iraq.
hi ian. when was the last time you spoke to rick ellis ■■.
r slicker:
hi ian. when was the last time you spoke to rick ellis ■■.
Loooong time ago,must be 22 years!
Hi guys
The last time I heard or spoke to Rick Ellis was at the end of 1989. He had come off the road and was setting up as a freight forwarder.based in the midlands where he lived.
Maybe some of you out there pulled loads for Rick. The name of his firm eludes me but I do remember trying him for backloads a couple of times, and when I didn’t get anything I went to good ol Alison Moss, who used to come up trumps most of the time with a load of Bulgy wine or some Bearings from Hungary.
1750 for a load of wine to Harlow, seems to ring a bell.
Leave Dover late at night to beat the Ministry and sleep outside the wine place, to get tipped first before So-Mats trucks.
GS