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Holds PhD in Packing |
Hi friends
Lately I have been seeing in the news the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran. I've also simultaneously read of Israeli cease-fire in Gaza and possible peace treaties with Syria. I will be traveling to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey in Feb 09-June 09 (as a solo western woman, though I plan to dress in traditional garb with my head in a scarf just to avoid any unwanted attention, even if its not necessary) and was wondering if anyone had a good website where I might stay up to date not just by rumor but by a reliable website or news source where I can keep track of the situation with those countries in the middle east and how safe they will be for travel at that time. There are so many personal columnists that make it difficult to find real news, especially here in the states where the news is...well...media. I guess its like that everywhere though. Anyways, any helpful hints would be great. Thanks so much! "I would rather die of thirst than drink from the cup of mediocrity." |
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Holds PhD in Packing |
Unless there is an actual war going on (and even that is regional), I think you will be safe in all those countries.
But to keep up on current events, http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/middleeast/index.html |
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Lost in Place |
erin - first of all, you'll be safe... and in Israel, you don't need to wear the scarf at all, not even at holy places, unless you want to. Actually, in Jordan, you also don't need to wear it. Actually, you really don't need to wear it in any of the countries you've mentioned, unless you just want to.
"Traditional garb" around this region these days is western clothes... while many people do wear traditional Arab clothes, at least in Israel that's what stands out the most, especially on tourists! Second, unfortunately, the NYTimes is always going to make things sound worse (at least in Israel) than they really are. Ditto with CNN and other "western" media. So, instead, I recommend these news sitesm, all in English: The Jerusalem Post YNETNews (tabloid - but still quicker news updates than some) Israel National News I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time - as you get closer and start to make an itinerary and specific plans, be sure to come back here to post, so we can all give you advice and help!! suzanne |
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Thorn Tree Refugee |
As a solo western woman in traditional garb and a headscarf, at least in these countries you'll get more attention, not less.
 Mostly because the men will want to know why a solo western woman is wearing traditional garb and a headscarf. In Israel and Turkey, most people wear normal clothes. And in Turkey, it seems most women forgo the headscarf. You'll want to cover your shoulders and knees if you go to any holy sites, but blue jeans work for that as well. Also, carry a hat because some mosques require you to cover your hair. I can't comment on Jordan and Egypt, not having been there. With regards to the safety and security, keep an eye on the US Department of State country-specific information and travel warnings. Otherwise, just keep in mind the fact that Israel has years of experience dealing with terrorism and the overwhelming majority of people go about their normal day with no problems. You're more likely to get hit by a car, especially with the way Israelis drive. |
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Lost in Place |
elianah - all good points - about driving - since you haven't been to Egypt, perhaps you don't know, but while I haven't yet been their, either, friends that live there tell me they do their best to NOT cross the street... EVER! It seems that drivers in Egypt don't recognize stop signs or crosswalks or stop lights or lane markers or or or......
About the US State Department warnings - those are there just to protect the State Department and the US government... most times, they don't mean anything, really, and especially in Israel, except for the no-go PA areas (which do NOT include Bethlehem & Jericho), they really should not apply. That is - downtown Jerusalem, all of the Old City and really all of Israel is as safe as anywhere in the world - probably safer! I've lived here for the most part since 1981 and feel safer here than even in my old home town in North Carolina! suzanne |
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Thorn Tree Refugee |
Garti b'Haifa, v'akshav ani studentit be'angliya. Az ani makira et ha'aretz gam im yesh li kama artzot acharot.
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Holds PhD in Packing |
fantastic news, and thanks for the responses! I went out with a friend the other day who asked if any of my travel plans were changing due to all the latest news, and so I started looking but yeah, the western sites always make it look worse, so thanks for the links! As for the dress, thank you for that advice too! I had been told in Egypt I might want to wear a scarf and to be sure to cover my elbows so I had just planned to wear a long skirt and long loose shirt and a scarf and thought if it worked there than may as well just keep wearing it. But if wearing a scarf is not the right advice and will draw more attention, I'll just stick with a skirt and some loose pants I guess, and just dress more like me but less skin showy.
 Again, thanks for the advice! I felt so happy waking up to it this morning...I'm SO excited for this trip and I am so happy to hear that so many people have found this part of the world safe and wonderful to travel in as well!"I would rather die of thirst than drink from the cup of mediocrity." |
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Holds PhD in Packing |
It's been a few years since I was in Egypt, but here are some thougths from the month I spent there.
I would recommend that women wear a skirt rather than pants. Every time I wore my jeans, I would get pinched by some guy. I never got pinched when I wore a dress. I did have a head scarf, but I hardly ever wore it. I mostly just bought it in Egypt because it looked so cool. My dresses had sleeves that ended above the elbows and no one ever hassled me about that. In fact, one of my dresses was sleeveless and I didn't get directly hassled abou it. On the other hand, even though I traveled with my boyfriend (now husband), men would occasionally privately ask me if I would come back and see them for sex. It was shocking. Fortunately, they all took a polite no for an answer without problem. I guess some people believe that line "you might as well ask, because all she can say is no". Maybe it was that sleeveless dress.... |
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Holds PhD in Packing |
Here's my take, I am Muslim but also of western parentage and in Turkey I was harassed faaaaaar less than any other western woman I was with. Yes I am dark eyed, dark haired and fair like the average Turkish woman but it should be remembered that Arab women come in all shades too; so I doubt even a foreigner in Hijab will get that much attention. If they do I can almost guarantee it's positive as it would be regarded as a sign of respect. I got a lot of questions in Turkey but they were definately in the spirit of goodness. Hmm also at least for Turkey most women not in Hijab? Not sure where you were but it seemed to me, even in in Istanbul, nearly all the women I saw wore headscarf. Maybe 85% Granted the Turkish state isn't all that keen on it but even the president's wife wears Hijab and Turkish ladies are so trendy---haha I spent well over 100 dollars on clothing there. |
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