Day Fifteen Saturday 2nd October

In the morning we are served breakfast. The genorousity of people is overwhelming.
We are escorted to a cemetry where some of those killed on board the Mavi Marmara are buried to pay our respects. Its very emotional as i knew some of them very well from the previous land convoy. We meet their families including children. We say prayers and renew our resolve to carry on out humanitarian work and not to give up. Soil from their graves is given to usin some bags to take to Gaza and to be scattered around the holy land.
Soon we are all on the road again to make our way towards the Syrian border. Would you believe it is another massive drive. Possibly the longest of the trip so far and everyone is aware and does not look forward to it. Five hours drive to the border has taken its toll already in the heat, but we have several hours of being processed at the Syrian border which always takes a very long time. On the Syrian side of the border we are met by the biggest crowd of wellwishers and dignitories yet, litterally hundreds and hundreds of people young and old, men, women and children. I have never been kissed so many times in my life as i am on this day alone.(nice) food and drinks are served to us with massive pertions of cake whaich none of us can possibly finish. Speeches are made from the representavives of the Syrian president to welcome us. Again we are treated like rock stars. All the first timers on the convoy get very emotional and many tears are shed.
Once through the border area and with the reception over, we make our way to our next destination which is Lattakia in Syria ,to an ex Palestinan refugee camp where we have stayed for several nights on convoy no 3. It is at least another 8 or 9 hours drive. It is getting dark and again most drivers are very exhausted and just want to get their in one peice. From the border we are given a police escort once again. An hour or so before reaching Lattakia, we are stopped on the motorway for a press conference and a welcome by the local Palestinian community. It is 2am now are we are bleary eyed, but we must oblige as they have been waiting for several hours for us.
Soon we arrive at the refugee camp wher we have stayed previously and are welcomed by the red crecsent who have made arrangements for food and small billets. We settle into the billets 4 to a room. Some good memories are coming back relating to some of my collegues from the last convoy when we stayed here. I visit the same billet as i stayed in last time and see my name scribbled on the wall when tariq and i shared the same room. Next to our room was my good friends steve, Heather, Mick and Nick who cooked a curry which we had all enjoyed very much. Miss you all so much guys. Wish you were here. Its much warmer than it was kast time, but its still quite a dump, but we appreciate it.
I share room no 3 with my mate Hugh, a Syrian doctor Abdullah and Mr Flagman, a Turkish IHH man who has been with us on all our convoys including the Mavi Marmara. His real name is Rajab. He is called Mr Flagman because he is never seen without a flag in his hand unless he is in bed, even then the flags are by his bed.