Geoff stuck holding the baby

Geoff stuck holding the baby
Originally uploaded by bastchild.

We watched the spectacle in the field for about 20 minutes until a Syrian ushered us away. I had no idea what was in store of us, but he did. He led us out through the front, where there was a dense crowd of young men. It was crushing. We pressed forward and the man recruited the help of a riot policeman and an official in a suit. We set off with this armed escort at a half-jog to find transport out of there. Hands were reaching out grabbing my pockets (fortunately zippered shut) and in front of me, Cajsa was getting groped left and right. I was beating and twisting hands off of us, as we pressed forward. We eventually got to the street, and the man hailed a new sedan and asked the family inside to take us wherever we needed to go (which happened to be the bus station so we could catch a minibus to Hama). The family happily obliged, and we pressed through the crowded streets like celebrities. Kids pounded on the car and faces loomed up to the windows, and things didn't seem to quiet down until Cajsa covered her head with a scarf. As we pulled away from the stadium, we were all so bewildered with the nights' events. The father, driving, handed their darling baby girl for us to hold.
We were dropped off at the bus station and given a kiss on both cheeks in farewell. Say it with me, folks, "I love Syrians!"