After filling out entry cards, we submitted our passports and visa applications to the Syrian border patrol and patiently awaited a response. The officer who assisted us, faxed our applications off to Damascus for review and told us to have a seat and wait. Americans have been known to be held up at the Syrian border for as many as 17 hours awaiting 14-day tourist visas into Syria. After two hours of waiting and still no response we started placing bets on when our moment of judgment would arrive.