BootsnAll Travel Community

Almost Free and I have been planning a trip to the Middle East/Eastern Europe for several months now, and my parents have been aware of it for a couple.
This trip is going to require me to sell (or rent, if my parents have their way) my condo, which is a whole other story unto itself.

Today my dad finally asked me (though I thought he'd known all along), where exactly we were going. Let me say that right before asking, he came just short of forbidding me to go to Iraq - first of all, DUH.
So I told him - our itinerary as it currently stands is: Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary (and if we have enough money, and I get my way, Austria ).
Dad was less than pleased.
"Egypt, fine. Turkey, fine. Don't you dare go to Jordan and Syria. I'm not going over there to bring you back in a body bag..."

Now, I know most Westerners have this view. Most people give me a look of shock whenI say we're going to the Middle East. But is it really all that bad?
People on this board have been there, have posted wonderful stories, but I've also been reading the thread about overseas horror stories (granted none of which so far have happened in that region), and I'm getting a little nervous. Am I being too trusting here?

Does anyone have any stats, hard facts, whatever that would give an idea how safe or not it is for foreigners in these places? % of travellers that are killed, raped, mugged, harassed, given rude stares etc (yes, I'm being a tad bit facetious).

Prior to dad's little grump, I was most nervous about the food/water and culture shock. And a little weary of the other scary stuff like being robbed or harassed, which could easily happen in many parts of Europe that no one would dream of telling me not to visit.

So, any wisdom to impart? Encouragement, discouragement?

Well...i am planning a similiar trip in the middle east. I don't think it's crazy at all....

Im actually will be flying into lebanon...and explore lebanon... and then make my way up to greece, turkey and the whole eastern europe....

and especially you being a canadian, i wouldn't worry about a thing.... they will love you there.

Well, you can tell your dad that Jordan is a very peaceful place to go, full with European tourists, once it’s now a major tourist destination from western Europeans.
Syria I can’t really talk about, but they seem more preoccupied with their internal affairs.

all safe - from a tourist pov I would say to expect most hassle in Egypt.
Syria is probably one of the safest countries I've visited - some social rules are a bit different, but it's perfectly OK.

I know this sounds crazy, but Syria and Jordan are safer than Egypt and Turkey.

When I visited the Middle East last summer, both Egypt and Turkey suffered major terrorist attacks against tourists. There have been several more in the last year. Conversely, there is rarely, if ever, any violence against tourists in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

I'm not saying that Egypt and Turkey are unsafe. But the whole idea that Syria and Jordan are dangerous is absurd.

http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/aug/article004.html

would he let you come to America?

I have a complete list of safety rankings for major world cities/capitals...if you would like a copy let me know and I'll post it.

quote:

Originally posted by circusoflife:


I have a complete list of safety rankings for major world cities/capitals...if you would like a copy let me know and I'll post it.

ooh! yes please.

You all are pretty much confirming what I have been thinking, and what Almost Free has been trying to convince me of. I'm starting to wonder if dad, (after having a few) wasn't mistaking Syria with Saudi Arabia. (though I might add that he is an intelligent, well educated individual who is not all that easily swayed by western media, though still moreso than I).

Also, in the back of my mind, I have this nagging little feeling that once upon a time Syria was notorious for something scary or terror-related. Anyone else have any idea what that might be?

I certainly mentioned to him that he would never dream of telling me not to go to London, or Spain, or the US, so why these countries? and he said because the odds are so much greater. I really don't think they are, as you have pointed out. I guess the point isn't convincing me so much as how I can convince my folks. (they just have the ability to make me doubt myself).

Sigh.

1998 - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/153988.stm

Mercer Global List - NOTE - New York City is the benchmark at 100.

http://www.circusoflife.com/WriteReadViews/Compare_n_Co...ings_Mercer_2003.pdf]Mercer Safety Rankings 2003 PDF



Click the Hardship (BBC and CNN) links on this blog entry

Amman comes out at a respectable 75.

Hardship isn't only crime, but it is another measure.

As far as I know, Saudi Arabia is safe too, only non-Muslims probably find it fairly uncomfortable, and Jews are not allowed in on principle.

I'm sure it too has its supporters among people who love Middle East cultures.

It's definitely safe. Just go and you'll be amazed that not only is it safe, but the people are rediculously friendly!!

Peace,
Bear.

quote:

Originally posted by Tortuga_traveller:
As far as I know, Saudi Arabia is safe too, only non-Muslims probably find it fairly uncomfortable, and Jews are not allowed in on principle.

I'm sure it too has its supporters among people who love Middle East cultures.

Saudi Arabia is sorta safe for Muslims. I would not reccomend you go there unless you are Muslim...you can't even go visit Mekkah unless you're a follower of Islam. But even during Hajj it's sorta dangerous.

I would not reccomend it if you are white or if you have a female travelling with you, or you are female. If you arn't related to your male travelling companion you can be arrested, without male permission you can't get in or out of the country or travel within it...ect...


But Syrians are some of the warmest people in the world! Jordan is pretty much safe but more conservative then prob. anywhere else you're going. Watch for street gangs...just like street gangs in the cities of the west...they are sorta a problem. Also make sure you dress conservitivly and you should get plenty of respect from locals.

Enjoy, I'm sure it's safe. When I was headed to Syria I had people left and right telling me I'd get my head chopped off and get kidnapped ect ect ect...

Go have a great time!

The wanderer says "Syria was notorious for something scary or terror-related"

Read some bloody history will you. Infact if you are considering heading to the middle east you really should have gotton past using dumb Western media catch-copy like TERROR.

You know, the whole point of this thread wasn't about me - it was about other people's reactions. I don't much care about the 'catch phrases'. I know that some people associate Syria with funding terrorists, and being associated with the 'Axis of Evil', but I am able to distinguish between states and their people. I'm sorry that I haven't read the detailed history of every country I would like to visit, unfortunately I have been doing other things like getting a degree and working to pay for it. I'm not going to let that stop me from going.
In fact, one of the reasons I did post this thread was in the hope that some kind souls who do know more about the region might enlighten me.
God bless you for your help.

I've never been, so I don't know first hand. But this summer I became friends with a guy who lives in Mexico City. We talked a lot about travel. At one time, he was living in France and he and his girlfriend decided to take a trip and go all the way around the Mediterranean. They went through Italy, Greece, Turkey etc., and then Syria.

And then they stopped.

He went on and on and on about how wonderful the people in Syria were. He said they were the warmest, most welcoming he'd ever met. (And this from someone who lives in a very warm and welcoming culture himself.) They ended up staying there 2 or 3 months.

In the past 6 months, my mother-in-law has been to Turkey (back country), Syria and Lebanon. She was fine. I got a great handbag from Turkey, yummy cookies from Syria and pretty strong smelling soaps from Lebanon. You'll be fine. There actually is normal life in those places. Just keep your wits about you, but that is required in European or North American cities too.

Word of caution: For the most part it seems like the folks on the these boards lean VERY far to the left and would say that the Middle East is the happiest place on earth just to spite the U.S.'s efforts in the region. Lets not deny the truth. I would also like to add that a good portion of western crime happens because people either dont use common sense or are just fools asking for it.

San Francisco was #40!? NYC is safer than Frisco. That list is bunk.

Watch the Daniel Pearl execution video and tell me that westerners have nothing to worry about in Muslim countries. I am sure that they are great places full of beautiful people, but use some extreme caution(Jordan\Syria), your father doesnt sound like a fool to me.

I think most of your worries you can find here in the USA. Sorry to those who disagree but overall...given the high moral values that MOST Muslim countries and more importantly Muslim people have..you are safer there than any US city.

Fair point wnaderer I did rather throw some negative vibes in there didnt I. Its just the whole "terror" thing does my head in.
I havent been to syria and it doesnt look like I am going to be able to go there in my up coming trip as I wont be able to go abck to the Uk to get a visa
I am reading William Dalrymple's From the Holy Mountains which has a interesting Section on Syria, about how it is the most religiously tolerent of the Middle Eastern States, with Sizable Christian populations of various types. The Book was writen in the late 1990s, I wonder how the situation compares now in light of recent events.

quote:

Watch the Daniel Pearl execution video and tell me that westerners have nothing to worry about in Muslim countries. .

GLR, there's something called context. Wanderer wants to travel through Jordan and Lebanon. Daniel Pearl was in Pakistan on his way to an interview with a supposed terrorist leader when he was kidnapped.
1. Different country
2. on his way to an interview with a supposed terrorist leader, versus backpacking.
3. Wanderer already knows to stay away from war zones, that's why he's not going to Iraq.
TO conclude, in Wanderers own words: DUH.

(Pssst... I'm a she)

But yes, context is good. It's not fair to paint all Muslim countries with the same brush. I'm sure that most Syrians would be offended if you suggested that 'Daniel Pearl' were likely to happen in their country (note I said likely, not possible).

And yes, we are planning on staying on a fairly beaten path. By western standards, these countries are not well traveled, but they do have tourism industries. Both public and private sectors of Jordan (don't know about Syria - I've read a lot more about Jordan) are putting a lot of effort into growing the industry.

And as I mentioned earlier, we are both well aware that no matter where you go you have to take certain precautions - there are bad apples in every society. No place is 100% safe.

Thanks for the discussion.