RFQ

I think I'd still go back to Egypt for a visit but maybe not right now with everything happening recently. Last time I was in Egypt was in 2009 too and it certainly is a different world now. Even my Arabic professor that was living here in the States said she was concerned about going back to Egypt for this last summer vacation from the University because of the kidnappings and lawlessness she's heard about back home. That it's not just happening to foreigners but to Egyptians as well. They went as planned and during the summer they were outside of Cairo just south of it where her roots are from. After they learned about the visa re-issue issue they moved north of Cairo where her husband's roots are from. They're alright for the most part and haven't had much problems otherwise though she doesn't send me big long emails about the daily life.
Other friends I talk to that are living there seem to feel safe for the most part but they aren't going out a lot or as often as they used to. Some are thinking about coming back to the States while others are thinking of taking opportunities abroad elsewhere. Not many of them are planning to keep staying there if it keeps going the way it's going. I do hope everything settles down by the next ten to fifteen years. We're supposed to be retiring there sometime after that. Now that Egypt's changed I'm not certain what's going to happen with that plan but I guess we'll see. We've got a long ways to go until retirement. In the meantime my BIL is getting engaged and there is an upcoming wedding within the next year or two that we'll have to go back to Egypt for. Thankfully they're delaying it for a period because of everything that's going on so it gives us time to prepare and plan for the trip. There is also another BIL who is looking at the marriage possibility as well so it may be two wedding in the family to attend back in Egypt. I'm not sure I'm ready to fly again after they've installed those new full body scanners at airports throughout the States. Though I've heard they've modified the screens to only show outlines of people instead of the move invasive digital image. It still feels super intrusive to me but what else am I going to do about it when going back to Egypt for visits?

I would just tell him that I appreciated his concern.

I am not sure when this went from "my instructor called the entire whole of the middle east bad" to RFQ doesn't understand their are dangers in the area. Apparently I have never spoken to anyone that lives there or done any research and I have my hand buried in the sand is the topic of this post.

back to the OP, post #1.
this is a class? you need a grade. don't p|ss off the instructor - class should be over soon.
get your grade and walk on.
just cause the teacher is an asshat, is no reason to take offense whilst he/she/it controls your grade.
get your grade, and forget about it.

I am not sure when this went from "my instructor called the entire whole of the middle east bad" to RFQ doesn't understand their are dangers in the area. Apparently I have never spoken to anyone that lives there or done any research and I have my hand buried in the sand is the topic of this post.

In Gulf countries you're only unsafe if you're a minority activist (ahem... Bahrain). It's a terrible shame that legitimate democratic movements have been co-opted and in turn suppressed by religious zealots rising to fill the power vacuum. This has been the case (in varying degrees) in every "Arab Spring" country. And this instability will keep going on like this into the near future I think. At least until the power vacuum gets totally resealed again with a new despot. No... I'm not cynical at all . Lots of people try to give me their two-cents about my travels to far flung places. I got mad for a while in the beginning but now I chalk it up to their concerns for me, whether that concern is warranted/factual or not. I work in the humanitarian field so believe me I've been some really, really "bad" places
OP - It's exciting for sure to be seeing your husband. Best wishes and take care! I am also going to visit my fiance and my in-laws to-be at the end of next month and let's just say where I'm going is even less suitable for westerners at this point than anywhere in Egypt. But what's a girl to do? His student visa expired last year and he hasn't been able to get a tourist visa back to visit me and our last Jordan vacay was waaaaaay too expensive. Other people have offered good advice but I'd say have your ear to the ground and be as inconspicuous as possible. I'll be hiding behind a veil which will be much to Adnan's amusement since I can't bloody see with it on (I lack strong peripheral vision perhaps). Have an awesome time!

I should have been clearer by what I meant about that. I meant in how certain people blamed the whole of America for this video. The action that they took of course is by far a greater crime. I was merely referring to the broader ignorant mentality of blaming the whole for the work of a few/one.
My point is this, I would never tell anyone not to go to Saint Louis or... New York because certain areas are crime ridden. I would say avoid this area or that area. I would not say DO NOT go to the United States of America because Compton California has gang problems. Categorically calling and entire region BAD is insulting and ignorant. I assure you that I would not get the same reaction had I said I was going to India or China or Mexico (etc) even though there are bad places to go there too. I would have been told "be careful."
But I'm done with this conversation because you've turned it into something serious. It wasn't meant to be a debate. I'm sorry my last comment was misconstrued as that I would possibly think burning and embassy was the same as ignorant labeling.

FWIW we're taught in academics that Egypt is part of the Middle East because of it's strategic location in that it acts as a land bridge between the Middle East and North Africa. It's also commonly referred to as "the Jewel of the Middle East" because of it. It also holds the largest Arab population in the region and the largest Arab Muslim population in the world and it's a major power in the Middle East and Muslim world. These facts can be looked up in a simple Google search online and found in websites such as Wiki and the CIA world fact book. It's also considered part of North Africa so I suppose you are correct in that regards as well.
I get that you perceive your professor as ignorant of the region because you see him as saying the entire region is bad and you know better than that. I got a lot of that too from my friends and family during my nine month engagement period before going to Egypt to get married. They told me I could get kidnapped and have my head chopped off because I'm American. You know the scary things we see on television news happening in the wars that were in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the other hand I had my fiance telling me how safe it was and no one would harm me but after years of experience with the region I'm wiser. Sexual harassment of women is rampant and a real problem in Egypt. If you don't speak the language you'll be ignorant to the cat calls of the teenage boys and young men. It doesn't matter if you're covered from head to toe and the most modest pious Muslim woman the harassment targets all kinds of women there. Women journalists and even their own Egyptian women have been targeted by mobs and their own security forces for sexual attacks. You may have heard of some high profile journalists who were attacked in a mob, had their clothes ripped to shreds, and their bodies raped by fingers and hands and who knows what else coming from inside the crowd for a half hour to an hour. This has happened more than one time to more than one foreign female journalists and students who just wanted to cover or experience what is happening right now. The Egyptian women themselves have come out and spoke out against the security forces capturing them and submitting them to gross and humiliating examinations of their virtue by having military doctors and sometimes the officers themselves sticking their fingers inside them checking for a hymen while multiple soldiers stand around the accused. It's unfathomable in our western society and may be described as sexual abuse but this has been common practice over there. I once posted information on female genital mutilation practiced in Egypt. It's still ongoing and a common practice culturally with a much higher percentage than people are willing to believe or admit goes on there though it's not actually something that is to be done for religious purposes. It's more a cultural thing.
I'm not saying you'll be subjected to any of this. However, I do get the concern that others express about one of us going over there because they have legitimate reasons to be concerned about the situation. I can also see how they would have an irrational fear of the unknown if they've never been through or experienced a predominantly Islamic society before. If it's your first time traveling there, I don't care what anybody says nor how much one prepares themselves, it's going to be culture shocking. The State department advises us on the U.S. Embassy in Cairo's website stay out of protests, if you hear of protests that are going to happen get far away. Be aware of your surroundings. The region is in a period of unrest particularly in Egypt right now with everything going on politically and if they're politically passionate bunch be prepared for some irrational behavior targeted towards you at a moments notice. Many of us have traveled there and back safely and have our SO's as guides. Your professor may just be trying to heighten your awareness and is coming from a genuine place of concern for your well being as I am. Go, have fun, stay safe, but be also be cautious and aware. If your instincts are going off about a situation you're uncomfortable with listen to it and act on it. Either verbalize your discomfort and uncertainty or do something to help yourself and to put yourself out of harms way. Sending you my best wishes for a safe venture and happy marriage.

I know what you mean. If I had a dollar for every stupid comment I received from people I think I could retire and never work again.

Awesome! I know what you mean about "who's counting?" I have an Ap on my phone that counts down for me. So, every few days I would post on my Fiancee's FB page "XXdays, XXhours, XXmins, XXsecs" And end it with "But who's counting??" LOL
Thanks for the acronym clarification, NOW I feel old! HAHA

Just out of curiousity, what is KWIM?
Okay, maybe I read the post more as concern on his behalf rather then an attack on the region. It is hard to interpret emotion while reading text.
Anyways, you're lucky you fit in a little easier. That does help I'm sure. I sure don't!
Have a great trip!

Most people in the US have never been out of the US... Yes, it is going to give them a closed minded view of things, and their main source of information is the news. You can't change that. Only thing that would is them leaving the comfort of their couches and exploring the world we live in a bit...
Your an American, married to an Egyptian. Time to get thick skin, and don't expect people to be accepting. They won't be, even the ones that seem ok with it will change their tune real quick if anything happens. I go through it all the time. Half the people think my wife trapped me, or that she was a call-girl I fell for. The other half focus on religion. There's just no getting around it.
Human nature is usually not humane.

I fail to see how "Be Careful" can be taken as strongly as you have. You ARE American, there are travel warnings for US citizens all around the world. You are more then likely going to be JUST fine during your trip but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.
It's not JUST terrorist attacks or kidnappings you have to worry about! You ARE American and you CAN be a target for petty theives as well.
I didn't feel threatened at all during my trip to the Philippines but that does not mean that I didn't watch for stupid crooks targeting me. Why? Because I'm American, it was obvious to them and I stuck out like a sore thumb.
I'm sure you have already read this page but here is the Dept. of State's website for travel to Egypt. It does talk about more then just terrorist activity on it, up to and including small crimes to watch out for.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html
Also, it mentions the Embassy STEP program. It's always a good idea to register with that was well.
Have a safe trip, and not just because you're American!

People here are narrow-minded and can't see outside their own experiences.
If they have never been to some place like that, they just can't imagine what it is like. All
they imagine is what they hear in the news which is such a distortion of reality. You have to
just brush off what he says. I hear the same stuff right here in my own family - it's so annoying.
Just makes you realize how limited peoples' lives are, that they can't see outside their own boxes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Hgp150Eno&feature=related


Thoughts of the day in this older song ^

Go and enjoy yourself!!! My MIL did our wedding party too. I think it was more for her and my husband than it was for me!!! And yes, I felt like I was the center of all the attention all the way around that! Enjoy it and let them show you off to their friends and family. It is definitely an experience you should feel!!! Happy travels!!!

Heading to Egypt is indeed exciting news. I will spend my Christmas vacation there as well, but I will have just two weeks. We are about 40 days away from my arrival, and I am as excited as you seem to be. I've spent summer in Egypt, but I look forward to the joys of winter. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

I do the same thing Have a great trip, be safe & enjoy !

Congrats on your first passport's arrival! It's getting so close now!

More than the weather-- I am starting to get a small bit concerned about the Gaza situation escalating anymore. IsA kheyr.
My new luggage arrives today ...any everyone cares why?? lol. But well...each little step helps fill the time.
I'll be packing as soon as my finals are over....

I have been worried about that too. My fiance is in the tourism business, and he is currently working with a large group. The people visiting always tell him how surprised they are that things feel so safe as the media seems to make Egypt look not safe. I trust his words, but the American news media makes it hard for me to stop worrying. My family's worry is worst of all. One thing I do know is that Cairo is far from the conflict, and I'll be outside of the main city anyway. I just don't want to have the US government place any warning or ban on traveling to Egypt. I had that happen once when I was supposed to go to Kenya.
Also, I was in Cairo during the elections this year. I stood inside the gates of the Cairo Museum as people were marching to Tahrir Square. As close as the two places were (across the street from one another), I could not even feel any worry. The marching was peacful as they passed the museum, and I felt very safe. When I returned to my room and was able to watch it on TV, I was astonished there were so many people who had been near where I was standing. Truly, I felt safe.
I guess we'll both have to continue watching the conflicts from afar and trust our loved ones in Egypt will give us the best advice as to what is truly occurring in Egypt. In my heart, I feel it will be a great and safe experience for the both of us!

Awww I'm excited that you're excited! I recall those days.....such a memorable, romantic time. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

I have been to Egypt twice before. I went in July 2009 as a tourist, and we met for the first time. Then, once we decided to finally make a go of it, we tried to decide who would travel where. It was much easier for me to get to Egypt, so I went this summer for almost all of June. Both trips included time in Sharm El Sheikh (on the Sinai Peninsula) and in Cairo. This time he hasn't let me know if we will do much weekend traveling. I think we just might stay in the city and enjoy the two weeks we have. I have gone to time and date on the internet, and I have two countdown timers going--one when I leave, and one when I arrive. It gives me days, hours, minutes, and seconds until I leave. I'm now under 3,000,000 seconds . It's just good fun.
My packing began this evening, and I've started to get my clothes ready. He tells me it'll be cold in Egypt, but somehow 53 isn't what I'd consider freezing. So, I'm in a quandry about what to take. It's all a good quandry though. Have you been to Egypt before? It is a stunning place. One day soon I hope to visit Alexandria and the Black and White Desert. It's nice to have someone around who could easily take me there...
I will certainly be checking in to see how your trip went. I just keep praying that the weather will be great in December, so my flights aren't delayed. With a finite time to see each other, I want to make the best of all our time.

With gifts I went so practical each time and it was appreciated.
And count me for packing ahead...good for you.

The History of US-Israel Relations
Part One
How the “special relationship” was created
by Allison Weir
September 2011
[We feel this information is so important that we are posting it now. However, this is an ongoing project and the below text is an incomplete, uncorrected draft. Please check back later for the final version.]
While many people are led to believe that US support for Israel is driven by the American establishment and U.S. national interests, the facts don’t support this theory. The reality is that for decades U.S. experts opposed Israel and its founding movement. They were simply outmaneuvered and eventually replaced.­
Like many American policies, U.S. Middle East policies are driven by a special interest lobby. However, the Israel Lobby, as it is called today in the U.S.[1], consists of vastly more than what most people envision in the word “lobby.”
As this article will demonstrate, the Israel Lobby is considerably more powerful and pervasive than other lobbies. Components of it, both individuals and groups, have worked underground, secretly and even illegally throughout its history, as documented by scholars and participants.
And even though the movement for Israel has been operating in the U.S. for over a hundred years, most Americans are completely unaware of this movement and its attendant ideology – a measure of its unique influence over public knowledge.
The success of this movement to achieve its goals, partly due to the hidden nature of much of its activity, has been staggering. It has also been at almost unimaginable cost.
It has led to massive tragedy in the Middle East: a hundred-year war of violence and loss; sacred land soaked in sorrow.
In addition, this movement has been profoundly damaging to the United States itself.
As we will see in this two-part examination of the pro-Israel movement, it has targeted virtually every significant sector of American society; worked to involve Americans in tragic, unnecessary, and profoundly costly wars; dominated Congress for decades; increasingly determined which candidates could become serious contenders for the U.S. presidency; and promoted bigotry toward an entire population, religion and culture.
It has promoted policies that have exposed Americans to growing danger, and then exaggerated this danger (while disguising its cause), fueling recent actions that dismember some of our nation’s most fundamental freedoms and cherished principles.
All this for a population that is considerably smaller than New Jersey.[2]
The rest can be found at this link: http://www.ifamericansknew.org/us_ints/history.html
“For the last 30 years, I have witnessed and experienced the severe restraints on any free and balanced discussion of the facts. This reluctance to criticize any policies of the Israeli government is because of the extraordinary lobbying efforts of the American-Israel Political Action Committee and the absence of any significant contrary voices."
“It would be almost politically suicidal for members of Congress to espouse a balanced position between Israel and Palestine, to suggest that Israel comply with international law or to speak in defense of justice or human rights for Palestinians.”
– Jimmy Carter

From the above article:
Israel has had its own debate over what its defense budget should fund. Given its economic problems, the country has cut its defense budget for this year by roughly 5 percent, with another 5 percent cut planned for next year. Its defense experts have debated whether it was more important to put scarce funds into offensive weapons that could destroy enemy missiles or into missile defense systems to protect civilian and military targets. In contrast to the United States, it has also raised taxes on wealthier citizens and upped its corporate tax rate.
Israel pays very little for its defense. America's commitment to Israel is primarily via its input into the maintenance of Israel's defense systems.
US taxpayers paid more to Israeli defense budget than Israelis
The Israeli army’s chief of staff states that in the past three years, “US taxpayers have contributed more to the Israeli defense budget than Israeli taxpayers,” according to a report in the Jerusalem Post, a prominent Israeli newspaper
by Alison Weir
According to the report, Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi made the statement during a speech on September 11th. In it he emphasized: “We must preserve ties with the United States. I believe this is a security necessity.”
According to the newspaper the speech was at the Calcalist Conference, which appears to be an annual event in Tel Aviv sponsored by the Calcalist newspaper, an Israeli Hebrew-only daily financial newspaper. It is is part of the group that publishes Yedioth Ahronoth, the largest circulation newspaper in Israel.
American taxpayers give Israel over $3 billion per year (over $8 million per day), more than to any other nation, despite the fact that Israel is smaller than New Jersey and is in the top 30 richest countries in the world.
Per capita, Israelis receive $10,000 more U.S. tax money than average.
Some of the other top recipients of US tax money, Egypt and Jordan, were provided this assistance in return for diplomatic recognition of the Israeli state.
According to the Congressional Research Service, Israel is given this money in a lump sum at the beginning of the fiscal year. Americans then pay interest on money they have given to Israel, while Israel makes interest on it.
In recent years Israel has reported a lower unemployment rate than the US and a better account balance.
Ashkenazi’s statements are extremely significant, since this is the first time that an Israeli leader has pointed out that American taxpayers pay more to Israel’s defense budget than do Israelis.
If the costs of the Iraq war, which was largely pushed by Israel partisans in the Bush administration, were added into the equation, the American tax money on behalf of Israel would quite likely dwarf the amount paid by Israeli taxpayers.
Some top economists predict that the cost of the Iraq war will be $3 trillion.
Israel has a population of about 7 million people.
Today, Israel partisans are similarly pushing attacks on Iran.
Israel has frequently been accused of using American funds in violation of U.S. arms control laws.