bakwoi

Hi,

So this January I am heading for Israel through the birthright program which i saw was in previous posts. I feel comfortable with that and all but I was thinking about an excursion to Egypt for a couple days since I will be so close. Does anybody know how relations with Egypt are right now? Or should I hold of on seeing the Pyramids??

florencia9699

If you get a chance to go you MUST!! it's one heck of an experience!!! unfortunatly I know nothing of the ralations in both borders cause I went thru with a UN IDcard... but I bet you could find out by calling the embassy at your country- Or perhaps call/mail your embassy in Egypt, they should offer first hand information.

But please, oh PLEASE if given the chance you MUST GO!!!! its something you will simply never forget, and its not your everyday trip either, so I think once in the Middle East you should deffinitly go for it!!

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Been to: Argentina, Chile, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt. Greece, Turkey, England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, USA, Mexico, Spain, Monaco, Czech Republic, Ireland and Uruguay.

Next trip: Still pondering the possibilities for January 2009... * OH THE MYSTERY!! *

The travel bug is insatiable

beergal

actually a lot of israeli tourists head to egypt for their holidays, although there has been numerous cases of suicide bombers in the past 2 years or so Egypt is heavily advertised here in the UK

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worldwidemike

Both Egypt and Jordan are available destinations from Israel. How much time do you have? If you can squeeze in another excursion, try visiting Petra in Jordan. Check out my website for my travelog on it, but if you've seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it is where the final scene with the Holy Grail and all was filmed.

As a side note, I notice you said you're attending on a birthright program. I don't know your degree of "religious-ness" -- or even if you practice Judaism. However, I want to warn you there are ultraorthodox sects over there that specifically target American tourists to "convert them." On my kibbutz, we had one ordinary Jewish kid, no more religious than the next, who they got to and worked on and before you knew it, he was gone. Under their wing.

So, be careful...

worldwidemike

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beergal

mike i love the way you give advice to escape from religious sects ha ha

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I have two skins, one to lie on and one to cover myself with; the earth and the sky. (Masai proverb)


FANCY A READ...TPUNK BOOK CLUB CAN BE FOUND HERE



what goes around comes around

worldwidemike

-- Watch out, beergal, from now on I'm giving every Moonie and Looney your address!

worldwidemike

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Check out my travel web page at:
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"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."

alohatessa

Don't miss Egypt
I have been staying with family in egypt for two months. Though I have not been doing the hostel route, I have not had any problems with being an american. I have had to deal with lots of attention from the men, but nothing actually threatening. Just make sure you give yourself enough time for your stay. Cairo is wonderful with much to see, but seeing the tombs and temples of upper Egypt gives you a much fuller experince. I would say you need at least two weeks to be able to leave satisfied.

nemesis331

I dated an a girl who's family was from egypt and we planned on goign and spending a month or two with her family there. i have heard nothing but great things from there and am personally a history/culture fanatic so i couldn't wait to go...

unfortunatley we broke up :greenguy:

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bakwoi

Thanks for all the advice. If I do go it'll only be a short trip to see the Pyramids since I gotta get back to school (last semester). I know it probably won't be enough time to take in everything but I don't know when I would make it back there.

goyincognito

I've lived in Israel since May, and as far as I can tell relations between Egypt and Jordan are doin just fine--in fact Israeli tourism to Sinai pumps a boatload of money into Egypt.

Just be forewarned: With an Israeli stamp in your passport, most of the rest of the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, possibly the UAE/Qatar but don't quote me on that) will be closed to you until you get a new passport. That being said, I've never known anyone who hasn't had a nearly life-changing experience on the birthright program, so it's something to be totally stoked about!

Are you thinking of making aliyah, and do you speak Hebrew (or should I say ata medaber ivrit? )?

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