Just got back from Vaca in Egypt.

[ekafrawy]

I just got back from a ten day trip to Egypt, and it was just amazing. The sites were just out of this world, and the people there were so friendly. Many of them speak english so I was able to communitate with some of the locals there, and to my supprise every single one I talked to told me that they wished they could come to America, that they wished their government allowed the freedoms that some of us including myself take for granted.

I asked some of them that I got closer too, why there were some in the region that hated america and the values we stand for, and they told me that there are a very small percent who hate everything America stands for, but those are the smallest minority in the middle east. (the Bin Laden crew). They told me that 95% of the people there love America, and Americans, but dont like how the American government has been so biased against them, and in favor of Isreal.
I got in a small debate with one explaining why we support Israel, and I learned from some others that if the US government gave the same level of aid, millirary support, ecconimic support, ect, they would feel much better about the US government.

A local shop owner where I bought some silver jewlery from asked me where I was from and I told him Boston, after buying some of his goods, he asked me if I knew anyone killed in 9/11. I told him that I knew a few people who died, and as soon as I said that I could see his eyes start to flicker and water a bit. After a brief pause of silence and with out saying a word more, I knew he felt some of the pain that us Americans have gone through, and as I right before I left I told him America is a country of values, freedom, and forgiveness. He then said in broken english "God bless you country"

That right there was the absolute best part of my trip the Egypt.

[lnkncontiverto]

I know Egypt has been a decent US ally for quite some time, but it is nice to be reminded that not all middle easterners are bloodthirsty sadistic heathens that hate this country, contrary to many conservative mantras.

I have always wanted to see the pyramids. Lucky.

[Black Power]

Cool. I bet that was a fun trip

[ekafrawy]

I just got back last night at 8:00 and i actually made it to work today, but i'm running on fumes. Once I get my pics off my camera, i'll be sure to post the link here for anyone to see them.

Speaking of fumes, they have 98 octane over there at every station!

[henschman]

sounds like an awesome trip. in my foreign travels (especially france, which of course we hear so many horror stories about), i was also surprised at how nice all the everyday people you meet are. i never really met anyone who hated me because i was american or because couldn't speak their language (probably partly because i was appologetic about that fact). i think a lot of the animosity between countries is just political. they may have a bunch of *******s running their country, but in my experience most people everywhere are pretty cool. it's easy to categorically dislike people or countries (or people on forums, lol) if you haven't actually met those people or put a face on them. international travel definitely gives you a different perspective on foreign affairs and all that crap.

someday i want to go on a tour of the whole Mediterranean -- southern spain, the french riviera, italy, sicily, greece, turkey, lebanon, israel, and egypt... maybe morocco and tunisia, too. i might have to leave out libya... but who knows, it might be interesting!

[BlownZ]

Very cool.

[IEATV8S]

How is, and what kind of food did you eat?

[Squeelr]

Very cool that you had such a positive experience.

This is something I've always tried to explain to the right wing fringe about living in the middle east. The overwhelming majority of people that live those countries, even the ones that sponsor terrorists (Afganistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc) are not sympathetic to the ways of terrorists. They mostly want to live in peace, provide for their families and be left alone. And many of them are pro-America simply because they'd like to live another day in a war lord controlled area thats like living under a cruel and murderous dictator.

Glad you had such a great trip. Post the pictures as soon as you can.

[turbojimmy]

I just got back from a trip to the far East. It's the first time I've traveled anywhere outside of Europe. It was definitely an eye-opening experience. Any pre-conceived notions that you might have about other countries, or what you think their pre-conceived notions might be about you as an American, are blown away by the reality of meeting and working with them face-to-face.

I can see why some of them don't like us. In many regards, we can be a fat, rude bunch of people by comparison.

Jim

[Black Power]

Notice the conservatives in this thread congratulate you on your trip and tell you that it seems like a nice place to visit. The libs do the same but can't part with their post until they throw a jab at conservatives.

[Blown&Injected]

Don't like the fights that are too easy to get into in this section so I stay away but I am glad to have read this post. I have heard similar things about the people in the ME

Originally Posted by ekafrawy

I just got back from a ten day trip to Egypt, and it was just amazing. The sites were just out of this world, and the people there were so friendly. Many of them speak english so I was able to communitate with some of the locals there, and to my supprise every single one I talked to told me that they wished they could come to America, that they wished their government allowed the freedoms that some of us including myself take for granted.

I asked some of them that I got closer too, why there were some in the region that hated america and the values we stand for, and they told me that there are a very small percent who hate everything America stands for, but those are the smallest minority in the middle east. (the Bin Laden crew). They told me that 95% of the people there love America, and Americans, but dont like how the American government has been so biased against them, and in favor of Isreal.
I got in a small debate with one explaining why we support Israel, and I learned from some others that if the US government gave the same level of aid, millirary support, ecconimic support, ect, they would feel much better about the US government.

A local shop owner where I bought some silver jewlery from asked me where I was from and I told him Boston, after buying some of his goods, he asked me if I knew anyone killed in 9/11. I told him that I knew a few people who died, and as soon as I said that I could see his eyes start to flicker and water a bit. After a brief pause of silence and with out saying a word more, I knew he felt some of the pain that us Americans have gone through, and as I right before I left I told him America is a country of values, freedom, and forgiveness. He then said in broken english "God bless you country"

That right there was the absolute best part of my trip the Egypt.

[Squeelr]

Originally Posted by Black Power

Notice the conservatives in this thread congratulate you on your trip and tell you that it seems like a nice place to visit. The libs do the same but can't part with their post until they throw a jab at conservatives.

I guess you haven't been around this forum that long...have you?

[ekafrawy]

IEatV8s, the food was pretty good for the most part. They have just about everything you can think of from fish, beef, lamb, chicken. I must have had veal there about 5 times. The italian food there is very similar to what you would find in Europe. The Pizza is also supprisingly very good. And i'm now huge fan of their felafel pockets. As far as water goes, bottled is the only option for tourists not used to the local water.


All in all it was a great experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone. I don't speak a word of Arabic and got by just fine. A lot of people speak english, and french there. So communication wasn't an issue. There wasn't a moment while there where I didn't see police or military security. My family and I felt perfectly safe while there even late at night in downtown Cairo.

Here is the link to my pics from the trip.
Picasa Web Albums - Eric

[lnkncontiverto]

Those ruins are impressive. Some of those tall, pillars seem like they should have toppled over centuries ago. Its amazing how some of the limestone is so weathered, yet other areas of the same structure are almost perfect. The head and tail are smooth and well defined, but the body looks like its been bathed in acid for the last few millenia.

Desert 4 wheelin'. Awesome.

I don't mean to poke a stick at conservativeness, it is just very rare when some members are not seething about middle easterners. It is very refreshing to see tangible evidence of muslim friendlyness.

[corsair231]

Sounds like it was a great trip. I've been to Europe, Italy mostly, and I really have no desire to go back but I've always thought a trip to Egypt would be cool (figuratively speaking of course).


Sorry, although I consider myself moderately conservative, I do have to leave with a jab, sort of........

Originally Posted by ekafrawy

Many of them speak english so I was able to communitate with some of the locals there,

Unlike the customers at the local Lowe's.

[ekafrawy]

haha, can't argue with that.