BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi guys -- mind telling me some of your reasons to travel to the Middle East?

I plan to leave my corporate jobs at the end of the year to head to Jordan, and I've been facing a lot of people telling me their opinions on the region and its people.

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I've been facing a lot of people telling me their opinions on the region and its people.

Unless any of these people have actually been to the Middle East, I probably wouldn't give much credit to their opinions. Their opinions are likely based on what you see in media and on the news - and coming from someone that has experienced Middle Eastern culture, I can say that actually being there is much different than what you hear.

Culturally it has differences that what you'd experience at home, but in the end it's still for the most part nations of people going about their daily business just like anywhere else. I like to travel there to experience the differences and get a broader idea on other cultures and religions. The religious views might be more strict than what you'd experience at home, but as long as you're respectful and understanding, you won't run into any problems.

If it's something you want to do, just do it! Ignore all those people that have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.

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Originally posted by Canadian Dave:

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I've been facing a lot of people telling me their opinions on the region and its people.

Unless any of these people have actually been to the Middle East, I probably wouldn't give much credit to their opinions. Their opinions are likely based on what you see in media and on the news - and coming from someone that has experienced Middle Eastern culture, I can say that actually being there is much different than what you hear.

*nod head* Thank you for backing my thoughts up.

I love learning about different cultures (have a degree in Anthropology, just because I happened to drop into a couple Anthropology courses, -- not that it's regarded as useful in a corporate job). I have been open-minded towards different religions.

One of the reason for my wanting to visit is to get a sense of their culture and how it effects their daily living. And also perhaps it would be a way to looking at myself, at different people, and at the world.

I agree with everything that Canadian Dave said. And I would also like to add that some of the nicest most welcoming people I've met were from the Middle East. And so listen to your family and friend's fears, promise to be careful, and then just GO! You won't regret it. If you like different cultures, you'll see how UNIQUE the Middle East is... You'll love it... (And I'm sure you'll want to go back as I do...)

The Jordanians are some of the nicest people I have ever met. You are going to have a fabulous time. Before I went everyone thought I was crazy. But they are crazy for lumping a diverse area into one problem

I'll basically support what everyone else has said. If a person's opinion is based on media accounts, or the words of a certain hateful president I could name, then it's worth a lot less than the time spent hearing it.

I went to the middle east because I was fascinated by it. By the history, which is amazing, and by the conflict between widely held view of the middle east, and what other travellers reported. And, bad of a reason as it may be, shocking people is always fun.

Since I've come back, my sister's best friend moved to Amman for a job (she provides legal documentation to refuges, so they can be 'real people' again in the eyes of the law), and before she left, she was getting much the same treatment you'd expect - don't go, you'll get blown up, they don't respect women there, yada yada yada. Basically everything people were telling her was media spread misinformation, some based on over generalizations and misunderstanding of Arab culture as a whole, but, as often as not, it seemed like people couldn't distinguish between the situation in Jordan, and...oh...say Iraq. Obviously she got a very different attitude from me.

Anyways, you'll have a great time. I loved Jordan. It's tied for number 2 on my favourite countries list. It sounds like you're going for a while, so you'll have time to travel around a bit. If you haven't been to Israel (or don't have any evidence to that effect in your passport), make sure that you arrange a visa for Syria as well. They're very hard to get once you're overseas, and getting so close but missing Damascus would be a shame. Syria ranks lower on my favourite countries list than Jordan, but I think Damascus is the most amazing city I've ever visited.

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Originally posted by SassyDeaf:
Hi guys -- mind telling me some of your reasons to travel to the Middle East?

I plan to leave my corporate jobs at the end of the year to head to Jordan, and I've been facing a lot of people telling me their opinions on the region and its people.

Sassy, it's really just best to meet stupidity with flippant cliches.

Rather than explain your interest in visiting the region, you might simply say "I have a plan." When asked about the plan, make something up.

For instance, you might say something like...

"Well, first I intend on traveling to Jordan so as to link up with like-minded nationalists from across the globe. Perhaps Hamas or some derivative. After around three years I plan on having a profound moment of insight wherein I discover that my life has always been missing a strong angry god. After speaking with a local recruiter, I will then travel to Yemen so as to learn the true Arabic of the Holy Koran. Once there, having increased my formal education in Islam, I intend to use my new friendships to link up with other link-minded individuals in northeastern Africa. There, I will undoubtedly run into some problems, but I plan on being very crafty and taking advantage of any opportunities that present themselves. Perhaps I might buy a business suit and become a finance minister. After around 20 years of service, I will encourage and be encouraged by a local coup led by the religiously-moderate military elite. I will then be made the president of said country. Initially, my inflammatory remarks about the western world (remember, I just took part in a coup, I have to legitimize myself with the local constituency, and "anti-west" sells) will create poor relationships with many of my old friends, but over time I will prove to be a benevolent dictator and regular supplier of oil and figs. I'll grow out of Islam and come to enjoy satellite tv again. Eventually, I will be put on the cover of Time and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Perhaps I will then buy a nice retreat in Aspen or Breckenridge.

If you'd like, I'd be happy to send you postcards along the way."

As for the answer to your original question, like many here, I went to the Middle East because it's there. Historical shattering point or no, that's reason enough.

Don't waste your time trying to explain your wish to travel with folks who aren't inclined to travel (the very folks who generally ask such questions or make sweeping assertions about a place.)

I went because Neil wanted to go. Or rather, it was his idea. But the idea grew on me. In the end, the immense history of the area (along with pyramids, ancient ruins and castles, and endless, timeless deserts), the vast cultural and religious differences, and the seeming exotic-ness of it drew me. I also wanted to step back and take a better look at my own country from outside - I wanted to see why so many people from that part of the world (and other parts, obviously) want to come to my country. A sort of reflection, if you will. I really didn't think I'd reflect much from a place like Europe, where, although it's different, it's still much of the same. (to put into context - before we left, and even still now, I was feeling very disgruntled with my own country, and was trying to understand my own national identity, if that makes any sense)

From a female perspective, I was really curious to learn more about the role of women in that society - are they really treated as poorly, and as second class citizens as much of our media reports? What are their lives like, compared to a Western woman's?

We were invited into the home of a Jordanian family for lunch. The wife was a teacher, the husband an engineer, and they had 3 kids. She was most certainly allowed to leave the house and have a career; she wore a hijab, but also wore jeans. She did the cooking (and showed me how to prepare a local dish), but also interacted with the men at the lunch table....

That was a fantastic experience, and one I'll never forget. I wanted to broaden my mind beyond western media representations of the area, and I did. I can't recommend enough for others to do the same.

Also, visiting several countries in the region really helps a person to understand that "The Arab World" is no more a single entity than "The Western World". Ie, Jordan is no more like Iraq than Canada is to the US, or France to the UK. I think in terms of present tense, that's the most important thing.

Well let's see:
-5000+ years of history
-nice people
-been there before so I can figure out there is something wrong with CNN.
-great food
-great weather when I go
-good prices in the countries I'll travel
-fits my schedule and desire for something different
-too much travel in North America
-Europe is too expensive
-Europe will still be there where I'll be old and sick, and can be seen in a wheelchair....

I can keep going but that should do

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Originally posted by SassyDeaf:

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Originally posted by Canadian Dave:

quote:

I've been facing a lot of people telling me their opinions on the region and its people.

Unless any of these people have actually been to the Middle East, I probably wouldn't give much credit to their opinions. Their opinions are likely based on what you see in media and on the news - and coming from someone that has experienced Middle Eastern culture, I can say that actually being there is much different than what you hear.

*nod head* Thank you for backing my thoughts up.

I love learning about different cultures (have a degree in Anthropology, just because I happened to drop into a couple Anthropology courses, -- not that it's regarded as useful in a corporate job). I have been open-minded towards different religions.

One of the reason for my wanting to visit is to get a sense of their culture and how it effects their daily living. And also perhaps it would be a way to looking at myself, at different people, and at the world.

Cool, I got a degree in anthropology also. I think anthropology helps whereever you go. For example, when dealing with office politics, knowing anthroplogy helps. LOL

I hate telling people I'm going to the Middle East. You get the usual stupid looks, stupid questions, stupid jokes about getting bombed or your head cut off. When I went to Afghanistan recently, I didn't bother to tell anyone except a chosen few.

My favorite place in the world is the region that spans Eurasia, the Middle East and Central Asia. The entire region appeals to me; I love the music and languages the most, but also the warm climate, the sounds, smells, the desert colors, etc. I also find the people very attractive, especially the women. The food is okay, but it's usually not as tasty as Italian, Chinese or Indian. I love the pre-industrial and nomadic aspects, and the freedom from "Wesern civilized existence" the people have. I'm also very fascinated by Islam, Arabic and Persian.

Once you get to know the people in the ME well, you will learn they are like everyone everywhere else, with their own ethnic idiosyncrasies. People there are no more nicer or meaner than anywhere else. They can be just as boring and ignorant as we are. When you are treated as a foreigner or guest, people will be nice to you. But the longer you stay, the more you will be like them, and the less they will fawn over you. What is it that they say, familiarity breeds contempt? LOL

Have fun in Jordan and tell us all about it!

Simple I missed my girls. My wife got a work assignment here and moved here with our daughter. After several months of living apart, I found a job here too, quit my job in Bosnia and moved to Cairo.

Living in Cairo is a daily blend of chuckles and teeth gnashing. For example, there are few other places where a donkey cart will slide through an intersection into my car (twice).

I'm getting a degree in Arabic. If you really want to learn the language, well. Plus, I wanted to see if this was a region of the world I could picture spending a great deal of time in. Apperently I can, I've had one month in Yemen, just finished another 3.5 in Damascus, and will be going back in a few weeks for another 6 months.

I wonder where the middle ground is when we talk of the middle east.
I see all this criticizing of the media showing you bad news, but on the other side, I see people making excuses and Stockholm syndrome saying that kidnappings are alright because they have no other way to get a few dollars and other things I can't remember at the moment.
I understand there are adventure junkies that like certain things. So this probably doesn't apply to them, but I see people who seem to like and defend other cultures more than their own. The media talks about Somalia, but am I going there and defending their situation? If you were to go to Lebanon, would you be sure to visit the Hezzy strongholds?
Philadelphia in the USA has more murders than there are days, but it's still has the mint and Liberty Bell and nice things in the tourist district. I wouldn't want to wander in Iraq that much, but I understand the Kurdistan region is supposed to be great. Would I rather be in Kuwait, or the biggest open air gun bazaar in the world in Pakistan?

Basically, to me it feels like when people are trying to act open-minded, they still fall into the black-and-white trap by picking the other extreme. They're painting a wholesome non-violent picture of the region instead with a broad brush. The truth is probably like any American, or now European city and country. Some places are safer than others. And I never see the Iranian "Death to America" national holiday on my news anyway.

Detroit has a really bad rep. I'd still like to go there and take photos of the buildings. But I'm not about to say it's not as bad as the media paints it. And I'm not about to go into any no-go area's either.

To answer the question; I hope to go to one of the countries in the next year, but that's due to ethnic ties. Which is why I lurked onto the middle east forum in the first place.

Be safe, be smart.

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And I'm not about to go into any no-go area's either.

Ah, but that's the trick. The general attitude in the west is that the entire region, except maybe Dubai, is a no-go area. Thus, saying that 'it's not as bad as the media paints it' is plainly true, and those of us who love the region are quick to point that out.

I don't think any of us are naive enough to think that there are no areas that are best avoided. But most people are afraid to go to the middle east out of fear of anti-western violence...something I'd say a person is unlikely to encounter. The no-go areas are places where violence and lawlessness is high regardless of a person's ethnicity, and the fact is that this describes a fairly small part of the region.

I go for a few reasons.

1 - I just love exploring other cultures - the more different, the better.
2 - I love to have personal experiences to throw back at people when they say idiotic things about the horrible Muslims who want to kill all westerners.
3 - The scenery is amazing.
4 - The history is amazing.
5 - The people are wonderfully friendly.
6 - The food is great.

Be smart, Be safe, Be gone!
Seriously, I've seen Lawrence of Arabia and wadi rum looks like a place to see.

My reasons for traveling to the Middle East ( projected itinerary for RTW in 1 and a half years ) :

1) I used to live on the island of Cyprus for 10 years as a kid. My family and I traveled to the Middle East often ( namely Jordan, Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt and Israel ) for family vacations and school trips at the International school that my siblings and I were enrolled at.

2) I want to scout out the lifestyle, living conditions and work conditions in Dubai bc I want to work there in the very near future ( within 2 years time ).

3) I have always been fascinated by the Middle East. My sister is now a museum curator with a concentration in Egyptology, and it`s all because of our childhood in the Mediterrenean and Middle Eastern area.