I left Syria about a week ago, both gratefully and regrettably. On the morning I was scheduled to fly to Istanbul from Damascus, the US and Israel launched a senseless war against Iran, forcing the closure of the airports in Syria, as well as those of many of its neighbors. At the time, I was in Damascus visiting my (amazing) nephew who works for an NGO after traveling with an (amazing) group to Syrian cities and historic sites. I had an uncertain 5 days after the war started, but a kind Canadian couple invited me to join them in their hired car to Amman, Jordan. From there, I flew to Istanbul.