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15 Aug 2007
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On the news...
More than 200 killed in bomb blasts in northwestern Iraq.. only rescue vehicles are now allowed to move in the area.
Your chances to return alive are very slim (but I dont think they´ll let you in the country to begin with).
Hope you dont have a big family leaving behind, and I think you should think about how they will feel, if your planning something like this. Nevermind, if theyre the ones that will have to start trying to somehow get you out of there, if you end up injured, or a hostage or something!
I know you sometimes have to take some risks to be able to go anywhere, but Iraq is just off-limits. Would be quite simply insane to even think going riding there right now.
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17 Aug 2007
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If you speak Arabic than the odds are probably with you Marcos. After all many Saudis, Eqyptians and citizens of other Arab states with excellent relations with America are able to travel widely around Iraq without encountering much hassle until they decide to detonate themselves a la the villages hit two days ago. Maybe you should instead get to Iran asap; their a country whos citizens are imho more peripheral to the carnage in Iraq with the tens thousands butchered including many poor young western soldiers but whom the Americans seem intent on blaming and escalating tensions.
Alas, the great silk route travellers take from Europe to deepest Tropical Asia may become another casualty of Saudi fundamentalist actions in New York six years ago.
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17 Aug 2007
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Is it fame?
Hi Marcos,
may I ask you why do want to go to Irak?
__________________
Smile
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17 Aug 2007
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Having recently ridden through Syria without a Carnet I could advise you on this, but actually I want to tell you something different:
Please dont go to the middle east at all!
With all Respect: In a fragile region with distorted and troubled views of western society anyway, I doubt that a guy with your mindset will be able to have any positive influence at all. Rather to the contrary...
On the other hand I dont know you and it might be all different. But please reconsider the reasons for your travel.
Andi
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18 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodgydago
Hi Marcos,
may I ask you why do want to go to Irak?
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Well, it`s a little bit more complicated ... I have already 5 accidents with my motorcycles, 2 of them ending in a hospital room, and too many to remember in offroad. It wasn`t my fault in any of them (except the offroad ones) ... Too many agresive drivers here in romania, being a biker is like playing russian roulette ...
So, i`m not afraid of dying anymore, i`ve seen the old lady, it`s cold and ugly, but i have made peace with it ... She rides with me, sometimes i can feel her scythe gently scratching on my back ... But it`s ok ...
What i`m expecting from Iraq ? Maybe , seeing all that death and suffering i`ll be afraid again ... hopefully ...
So, you could call it a quest for the lost fear of death ...
Anyway, i`m almost ready and on tuesday morning i will depart ... If you hear on the news that a crazy stupid romanian biker had been slayed, well that`s me  If not, i would probably have a good story on my return ...
Well, Iraq here i come 
Last edited by Marcos; 18 Aug 2007 at 01:24.
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18 Aug 2007
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Dump the old lady
Marcos,
Iraq is one thing, but trying to get into Iraq carrying a scythe is plain stupid. Tell the old lady to get her own bike!
Good luck.
Baswacky.
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9 Sep 2007
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Still running?
Any news from Marcos? Anyone can read Romanian? 2 ROTI: Turcia/Iraq/Siria
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Even the temporarily worst things in life are good for something on a long run.
Don't dream your life. Live your dreams.
www.desertsoul.com
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10 Sep 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcos
Well, for the bullet proof vest, i will be wearing it under my clothes, and if they check it, i would simply say it`s a motorcycle jacket with protection |
This is no joke...Northern Iraq may be beautiful and the plan in your mind might seem good; but reality is much more creative than you can imagine...so proceed with caution...
As going to Iraq might land you in Guantanamo Bay or in some Eastern European prison for a while as an "enemy combatant"...Google that and see how that ranks on the Fun Meter.
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11 Sep 2007
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Take a tip from one that live here
Adventure riding is riding in great places exploring new roads and new palces. all on two wheels. smells, colors, cold, hot, lonly or not etc. Going to places like Iraq today is not adventure biking, its a foolish child trying to be "brave" , a bike is not needed, just go there and get shot at (or blast to atoms by a bomb with your new kevlar vest).
Sorry for the tone, its is no game here now! and it must be said very clear!
Yoni
from Israel
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Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation
Yoni
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26 Oct 2007
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BrettUAE, Yoni,
you guys did a marvelous job of trying to save a life. Perhaps more lives, even, than our crazy Romanian friend. But this guy had a chip on his shoulder. Indeed, he's a war junkie that is borderline suicidal. Maybe seeing people dead and dying will restore his fear of death (as he says) but I suspect he is already very much afraid of death and this trip is simply to confront those fears. As far as his odds go... he won't get into Iraq legally. If he does, he may or may not survive (I had a friend who snuck into Baghdad during the "shock and awe" wave of American bombings to see if he wanted to be a war photographer... he doesn't.) The point is... well, the point is he's nuts. But after stern warnings (we've all been warned about places to avoid... places that we went anyway and enjoyed) in the end, we all have to go our way. This dude is going to Iraq. Dear God. Has anyone heard from him?
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26 Oct 2007
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To be honest Lost, I don't think he was serious. He wouldn't get across any border in the area he was talking about anyway - and that's a fact. But it is still important to be heavy-handed at these suggestions and remove the perception of travel through a war-zone as being somehow romantic. There are people living in these places, and for them the experience is very real.
But sorry there I go again...self-righteous rant, rant, rant...
cheers
Brett
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26 Oct 2007
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This is my own view, nothing more, but I can only think of 2 good reasons, why any (non-military) person should go to Iraq now: to give aid to the suffering, or to report the events to the world.
To go there as a tourist, and maybe try to be a "hero" of some sort (mostly in your own head only) who´s ´able to do something others dont dare´, or whatever, is just sick. Theres a line between being brave and being stupid, and its quite clear on which side going to Iraq is.
In case you dont have one single relative or other loved one back home then fine, its your own life, and your free to fool around with it. But there are plenty of places, where you dont have to worry each second, when somebody´s going to kill you. And if that danger is indeed, whats giving you the ´kicks´, I think you´d really need to have your head examined.
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29 Oct 2007
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I as much as anyone understand the risk and the consequential excitement of a place like Iraq, having spent quite a portion of my recent past there.
Therefore I couldn't condemn Marcos for his actions without being properly hypocritical! The difference is I have been well financially recompensed for my time there, and had a job to do. Despite being a bit of an adreneline hunter I would NEVER step into that country without the protection of arms and others suitably armed.
I also speak quite good Iraqi Arabic for a Westerner, and have a fair bit of terping experience there - but I don't kid myself for a second that my language skills would fool an Iraqi for a split second, or do me much good with some of the people who you could encounter.
It is also laughable that you might be able to laugh off a bullet proof vest as bikewear - these are people who have been born to war. Besides the fact I wouldn't fancy taking even one 7.62 in commercially available body armour!
I am curious though - does anybody know if this laudably foolhardy adventure took place?
It is a beautiful country with some incredible people, but I won't be recommending visiting it to my friends and family for a long while.
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29 Oct 2007
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birdy
Ho you brits, I had to reach "Babilon" to undestand all you've said (...about Babilon-Iraq ). At the end, it was well written and i agree with all youv'e wrote.
And don't worry I beleave Marcos did not get a thousand miles from Iraqi border, those who write like he did, usually have a profile of unmatured kids that flings around subjects, just to be spoken about.
yoni
__________________
Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation
Yoni
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10 Jun 2010
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Updated information Anyone??
I am looking for some updated information on this area.
I would like to cross from Iran into Iraq and then onto Syria, therefore I am after tips, tricks at the boarder or just to hear that someone has done it.
I am planning on hitting that area around the middle of next year, I imagine....
Only time will tell how fast I will be travelling!
Thanks
__________________
For more information on my adventures, please visit either of the following:
w.http://www.motomonkeyadventures.com/
fb. facebook.com/motomonkeyadventures
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Dump the old lady
Take a tip from one that live here
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