Back on the road

Finally, after five days of a frustrating but well-publicised standoff, the convoy has moved on to Syria. The details of the diplomatic wrangles can be found here on Aljazeera (http://tinyurl.com/y9a9gwt). Many people, including me, spent last night in a large car park outside Aqaba with the vehicles, and we got moving just before 9 am. After almost 14 hours and 280 miles on the road, we have finally reached Damascus about an hour ago. We have to be prepared to leave again at 9am tomorrow morning to the port town of Latakia, where Turkish-provided ferries should be waiting to ship ourselves and our aid to Al-Arish in Egypt.

There is a real sense of urgency now - we were scheduled to be in Gaza 3 days ago, and some people have already had to leave the convoy to catch flights back home. Thankfully the vast majority of the convoy is still here, and we were also bolstered by a 30-strong Jordanian team, which brings the total number currently on the convoy to around 500.

Although we are moving geographically away from Gaza, it is a real boost to be taking another step towards getting inside. As a first time Viva Palestina convoy member, I had thought that it would be sufficient if we could cut a deal with the Egyptians that ensured that all our aid would get through, even without the convoy members. Without fail however, everyone who has been on previous convoys insists that the entry into Gaza of people from all over the world is imperative, becuase for the people of Gaza that is more important than any of the aid we are bringing. Many people made contacts last time who are eagerly awaiting their return this time round, which makes their desire to get in all the more resolute and the emotion of the few who have already left all the more heightenened.

Must get some rest now, as there will be an early start tomorrow and it has been a very long day. This was only my second day of actual travel, so tomorrow I will, inshallah, post more about life on the move, along with a look at my team and our vehicle, the venerable Bravo 2. Over and out.