This morning I succeeded in getting into Syria -- for about one hour. Then a Syrian immigration official escorted me outside and directed me to the Departure Area back to Jordan. It seems that within the last week or so Syria has changed its regulations, and visas (at least for Americans) are no longer issued at the border. It was interesting to note that on my way back into Jordan, border officials checked my baggage. What arms, drugs, or other contraband could I possibly have picked up during my 60-minute stop at Syria's border? So now it's back to Amman, Jordan, to try to secure a tourist visa from the Syrian Embassy. Despite the cost and hassle today, there is a bright side. Upon arriving back in Amman I lucked into a $20/night hotel room right downtown, with great views of the city and the Nymphaneum (Amman's chief fountain about 1,800 years ago) which is right next door to the hotel.
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