Embarking in one of those is really interesting and plenty of meaning, especially for a person who comes from the glorious and great western civilization. The reason behind my joy going in those is the amount of close and direct sharing you have with the others riding in with you (a total of 15 passengers).1. First, the driver waits until the minibus is full before leaving. Usually for the longer trips such as Damascus-Seydnaya (45 minutes, uphill)2. Breaking the ice. Anytime on the way up, you will have to pay the fare. It's to the person who sits beside you that you will have to pay, he will manage to get the money from the people in the back seat and those in the back seat get it from behind and so on until the person in the middle gets all the money. He will also have to give everyone's change. This is pretty amazing to see how people that don't know each other exchange for a common cause. The role of money related collecting/managing is given to the first who tries to get his change from the money he paid (it's cheap: only 35 Syrian Pounds Damascus-Seydnaya). When he is done he gives the total to the driver who is hassling his way in the traffic. The driver ONLY drives, let's say that he has enough to deal with in a city like Damascus where cars are separated by few centimeters and where everyone drives like CRAZY.3. From your first contact (paying the fare), a link would have been made with AT LEAST one of the passengers of the minibus. Everyone is curious in Syria, but so friendly, especially with foreigners. That person you just met would invite you to his house for dinner or for a cup of tea or for a walk, he would try helping you in any way he can. It is so True, real and just unconceivable for a westerner.4. Once you get at destination, you are someone else... one who goes Syria should imperatively try the "micro experience".

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