Originally Posted by
mentor of monty
Amazing trip, beautiful photography, thank you Daniel. Did all your glass survive?!
Thanks,
mentor of monty
. Yes, Canon makes pretty sturdy gear and it thankfully came back all ok
.
Originally Posted by
aidy
another amazing report, thanks
Cheers,
aidy.
Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
Thank you for this, Daniel. It's an important record, and it's so important to see the faces of some of the men, women and children that are swept up in this horrible, bewildering - and yet often uplifting - situation. You've done them a great service.
Thank you,
Gardyloo. Seeing the resolute civilians as they dealt with the situation as best as they could was very inspiring too.
Originally Posted by
rittenhousesq
Thanks for such an amazing report. Your report clearly illustrates what I've discovered during my interactions with people in that part of the world (I've been to Turkey): the warm tradition of hospitality that is offered to all guests and travelers. To sit down and drink tea and have conversation is such an important part of the culture.
Many thanks,
rittenhousesq. Yes, the sit down and chat with some tea is an important part of the hospitality. I was starting to get addicted to the sugary caffeine fix by the end too
!
Originally Posted by
calvinoeh
Agree with the rest, simply one of the best trip reports on flyertalk.
Thanks,
calvinoeh, glad that this write-up and photos is appreciated
.
Originally Posted by
CatchThePigeon
Incredible. "Trip Report" doesn't come near to doing this piece of work justice. Thank you.
Cheers,
CatchThePigeon. It was great to explore the complex political and cultural factors at play in this conflict.
Originally Posted by
ChiefNWA
What an incredible TR! The amount of research that must've gone into this must have been mind blowing. Combine that with the fantastic photography and you've got what I would say is the best TR posted on Flyertalk!
Many thanks,
ChiefNWA. I had been following the conflict since it began, but it was quite enlightening to delve more deeply and experience a part of it first-hand.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
A question popped into my head that I forgot to ask. You kept getting media passes, had an armed guard, fixer, etc. You certainly seemed to have some in depth access to many varied locations and people.
Was this a trip just for yourself, or were you representing an organization on the trip? Will the pictures and story be used or published in other places?
I have some options for publication, but the trip was primarily for me personally. Jan has been to Rojava multiple times and hence built up quite a ‘rolodex’ of contacts which allowed good access to the various places.
Originally Posted by
gmitchs
Thank you for this revealing and educative TR. Hands down my favorite piece on FT.
My company turns down potential work in some of the less stable regions of the world and for the most part I am thankful for that. However, I really appreciate people like yourself who are willing to take the risks and share those experiences with others. Safe Travels.
Many thanks,
gmitchs. Yes, the risk of doing business in some places in the middle-east can be too much, especially with the instability and lack of strong government. Hopefully Rojava can become more stable and a relatively peaceful place now, like Iraqi-Kurdistan over the border.
Originally Posted by
jacobac00
I can't add anything to what has already been said. So I will simply say thank you DanielW for an incredible report. Just amazing.
Thank you,
jacobac00, it was am amazing journey too
.
Originally Posted by
mkjr
Outstanding. What struck me was the shoes of many of the YPG fighters. They could be you or I when thrust into a conflict to defend everything that you believe in...
Also, that so much time had allowed these barbaric people to get entrenched to the point where they had commercial signs made to spread their hate and propaganda...
The thing that stuck me as something so many take for granted was the comment from the boy on the bike who was just happy he could go back to school now that these barbaric people were gone.
Thanks,
mkjr. Yes, was quite eye-opening to see the their efforts to control and govern. And the boy was happy to simply go to school again, to learn and be with his friends.
Originally Posted by
x1234
Man you're a lot braver than me! AWESOME TR btw!
Cheers,
x1234. Curious maybe, but not brave
.
Originally Posted by
greg99
I'm rendered speechless by the power of this report.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Greg
Thank you,
greg99.
Originally Posted by
cyclogenesis
Just finished reading this epic TR! Well done.. Those fighting ladies are awesome.. I had no idea and now I know more. Thank you
Thanks,
cyclogenesis. Yes, the famous YPJ fighters were very brave and inspiring, fighting alongside their male counterparts.
Originally Posted by
JohnnyColombia
Stunning stuff
I swear DanielW will one day do a trip report from Narnia or the moon or something.
Thank you,
JohnnyColombia. My next trip definitely won’t be to the moon, but the mud volcanoes near Baku looked like they were from another planet
.
Originally Posted by
Madone59
I am without words DanielW. Thank you!
Many thanks,
Madone59.
Originally Posted by
chongl
Always such a treat to see what DanielW puts together
Thanks,
chongl, hopefully some more journeys coming shortly
.
Originally Posted by
goodeats21
Adding my thanks for an incredible piece of work. Really compelling to see this as compared with 30 second stories on what passes for "News" anymore.
Bravo.
Thank you,
goodeats21. Yes, it was good to go more in-depth and see the human side as well as all the fighting.
Originally Posted by
Fredrik74
You're not the only one.
This is a brilliant report. I really, really like the opportunity to see a little bit of what's happening on the ground.
Thanks,
Fredrik74, yes, from the towns to the frontlines, it was very interesting to see it all in person.
Originally Posted by
mike&co
I think he probably will at some point. Stunning - top that SFO777
I’m sure
SFO777 already has his ticket booked
.