To The Frontlines Against ISIS
Jun 7, 2016, 2:36 am
#121
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,369
Jun 7, 2016, 2:38 am
#122
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: North of Carlisle
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,538
Jun 7, 2016, 3:48 am
#123
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
. Yes, Canon makes pretty sturdy gear and it thankfully came back all ok.Cheers, aidy
.. Seeing the resolute civilians as they dealt with the situation as best as they could was very inspiring too.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.
. 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!.. It was great to explore the complex political and cultural factors at play in this conflict.. 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.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?
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?
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.
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.
. 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. .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.
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.
. 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.Cheers, x1234
. Curious maybe, but not brave... Yes, the famous YPJ fighters were very brave and inspiring, fighting alongside their male counterparts.. My next trip definitely won’t be to the moon, but the mud volcanoes near Baku looked like they were from another planet.Many thanks, Madone59
.Thanks, chongl, hopefully some more journeys coming shortly
.. Yes, it was good to go more in-depth and see the human side as well as all the fighting.I’m sure SFO777 already has his ticket booked
.
Jun 7, 2016, 4:08 am
#124
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Well done. Terrific report on an obviously not popular place to go.
Some questions:
1) how many hours did it take to arrange all this?
2) when you go and eat in a restaurant for three people for $10USD total or whatever, do you ever feel that you should tip a bunch just because the people there have lived through such devastation? Your way of giving charity?
3) are you ever able to send a copy of the photos to the people in the street or shops that you photograph?
Some questions:
1) how many hours did it take to arrange all this?
2) when you go and eat in a restaurant for three people for $10USD total or whatever, do you ever feel that you should tip a bunch just because the people there have lived through such devastation? Your way of giving charity?
3) are you ever able to send a copy of the photos to the people in the street or shops that you photograph?
. Yes, not too many other westerners in this part of the world at the moment.It took quite a bit of time to organise, both from my side and from Jan my fixer. It all worked out in the end though/
I think there's some ethical concerns when overpaying for meals etc. It can cause inflation for the locals which is not good. They are quite proud people too so charity like that is not too well accepted.
Communication is not too good, i.e. internet or postal so getting a photograph back to them would be difficult.
Jun 7, 2016, 7:51 am
#125
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
About the above quote: You hit it right on. For most (some) of us (myself included), sometimes our "compassion" obscures our sensitivity of those issues you raised (my bold).
^^
Jun 7, 2016, 10:55 am
#126
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 1
>DanielW..joined just to say thanks for an incredible piece of writing. Have followed the goings on in the area daily on #ypg since the dark days when it was looking like Kobane would be lost. Your report with its great pictures has given it all a new meaning..so thanks for sharing your experiences.
Jun 7, 2016, 9:55 pm
#128
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 2,066
Another terrific trip report! Although think it was the first time have had to have additional websites open as read your trip report: Google Maps and Wikipedia. Had to attempt to understand borders, organizations, groups, etc. as you discussed them in your TR.
As usual you took amazing photos.
As usual you took amazing photos.
Jun 8, 2016, 3:07 am
#129
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Another amazing and daring adventure. Thanks so much for sharing. The inclusion of maps further boost my comprehension of the story. This beats the x?x? out of reports on EY Apartment, showers in the sky reports.
About the above quote: You hit it right on. For most (some) of us (myself included), sometimes our "compassion" obscures our sensitivity of those issues you raised (my bold).
^^
About the above quote: You hit it right on. For most (some) of us (myself included), sometimes our "compassion" obscures our sensitivity of those issues you raised (my bold).
^^
. The maps helped to understand where I had been, and the strategic relevance with regard to the border and the ISIS areas. I have managed a shower in an aeroplane yet, although its a fair way down my bucket list
.Yes, a foreigner being liberal with money is not maybe the best thing to do in a dangerous country!
>DanielW..joined just to say thanks for an incredible piece of writing. Have followed the goings on in the area daily on #ypg since the dark days when it was looking like Kobane would be lost. Your report with its great pictures has given it all a new meaning..so thanks for sharing your experiences.
. Yes, it was interesting to see Kobani after the siege, and how it was slowly getting back on its feet. And welcome to FT!. Yes, despite the bad stuff, a lot of good stuff is happening there too.Another terrific trip report! Although think it was the first time have had to have additional websites open as read your trip report: Google Maps and Wikipedia. Had to attempt to understand borders, organizations, groups, etc. as you discussed them in your TR.
As usual you took amazing photos.
As usual you took amazing photos.
. Yes, google maps and Wikipedia were very helpful to see and understand the situation and the different areas of control. Interestingly, it’s been reported that ISIS has lost large chunks of territory in Syria, but it should also be mentioned that almost all of these gains are due to the Kurds, not the Regime or other rebel groups.
Jun 8, 2016, 2:38 pm
#131
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott GLD
Posts: 107
I was so eager to read more and disappointed after page 2..this is like in the movies but real..thank you for bringing this to us who cannot be there (even if we want to !!)
This is why life is worth living for, and your trip is one of the proof for that ^
This is why life is worth living for, and your trip is one of the proof for that ^
Jun 8, 2016, 4:45 pm
#133
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,130
DanielW, thank you for the trip report! As always, it was not just interesting, but informative and I feel like I really got a glimpse into a life rarely seen. Must have been a hell of an adventure!
I hear Donetsk and Luhansk are very nice this time of year, in case you are looking for more edgy places to go to
I hear Donetsk and Luhansk are very nice this time of year, in case you are looking for more edgy places to go to
Jun 8, 2016, 7:55 pm
#134
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
I am halfway thru this report and felt the need to say that this is an amazing report. The level of detail and education is simply second to none. Now I need to finish this report and dive into your others.
Thanks for sharing....
Thanks for sharing....
Jun 8, 2016, 8:38 pm
#135
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orange County and oftentimes London
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, HH Diamond, AA EXP, VS Gold, BAEC Silver, Global Entry, UK RT
Posts: 539
Wow I am in complete awe. Thank you for another brilliant trip report. By far the best one on FT. I am a huge fan of your writing and photography. Thank you so much for all that you to do to bring these stories to life for us. Safe travels.