We stayed in Syria, travelling between Damascus and the port city of Latakia, doing some sight-seeing, shopping. Pic/Getty Images

In December 2010, I took a trip to Syria and Gaza. I was part of the first Asia to Gaza Solidarity Caravan, which united citizens and activists from 13 Asian countries in a solidarity caravan travelling from New Delhi, that planned to cross the Wagah Border into Pakistan, and then journey onto Iran, Turkey, Syria, Egypt and finally to Gaza, Palestine, by bus. We were supposed to be carrying medical aid and money that we had collected from our respective countries, and were to deposit these into the hands of the governing Hamas (yes, you read correctly, HAMAS) in Gaza.