Hi from the Middle East

Hi Everyone,
We're having a great time but it's full on. It's been very long days, cramming in a huge amount of stuff every day.

We had a lovely time with Miriam and Brad in Melbourne just before we left.

Sorry I haven't put anything on here before now, but we just collapse into bed after our long days, or else the internet is being difficult. Impressions of Syria. It's quite a dirty place with rubbish everywhere. The housing estates look like war zones even though they aren't. Apparently a family

will just keep extending their home upwards as the family increases and gets married. Then they run a small business in the lower storey. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of building codes, electricity supply codes or traffic codes. Would you like the electricity to your home delivered through the wires above? We did see a few police officers brave enough to stand in the middle of the road directing traffic.
Our room at the hotel was very good and clean and the hotel staff very friendly and helpful.

The people we met in the street were also friendly and interested to hear about Australia if they spoke English. Even if they didn't they'd try to ask where you were from.