Well, I had to pass up an opportunity to visit another foreign country.
My cousin married a guy over in Cairo, Egypt, and moved over there to live with him. She took her young daughter with her too. There was something about the schooling she was going through, and it wouldn't let her go past our second grade equivalent. To help get past this, my aunt is sending books over for her, but she can only send so many. She's planning on taking a flight over sometime within the next couple months to hand-deliver some of the books, but wanted someone to go with her.
She asked my mom, but my mom declined because of the whole flying issue. (My mom won't set foot in an airplane.) After she asked my mom, she asked me if I wanted to go. I told her I would have to think about it, and I left it at that.
When we got home yesterday from the family outing/reunion/party, my mom told me I should go, and that I should take out a loan to go. This way I could see some foreign countries (there has been talk of a possible layover flight in Amsterdam), get a passport, get some experience flying, and have a way to build some credit (the whole loan thing).
There are several reasons I can think of in regards to why I won't go, but for the most part it is the whole concept of taking a flight just for books at the last minute, to a country and city that has a reputation of being very cold towards outsiders. I would prefer to not have my first trip to the eastern continents be to a country even somewhat hostile towards my nationality. Also, I would like to have better circumstances to go, and more freedom to do things that I want.
To my aunt, if you're reading this, I don't have anything against you and I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I just do not feel comfortable with the entire situation. Thank you very much for the offer, though.
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Dang. I'd go. Egypt is cool, and you don't often get a chance or reason to go.
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Yeah, egypt is definately NOT a big threat to american tourists. If you keep your head down and are polite etc, there should not be any problem. Bombs are going off everywhere Tim, no reason for you to stick your head in the sand. Some parts of New York are more dangerous (believe it or not) than Iraq...
Go, it will do you good! Don't forget to stop over in Amsterdam if you get the chance... :)
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Man, that would be awesome to go out there.
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And it really isn't as dangerous as tim thinks...
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Yeah. Not like an Arab guy walking into a redneck bar or something.
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1.) I do plan on traveling the globe as I can. I have been planning on taking a trip to Australia, a trip to Germany, a trip to Sean's home land (Netherlands), and several others. Egypt has never been on my list, regardless of family being there.
2.) Yes, I'm being closed-minded. So sue me.
3.) Jennz0rz or Luey: You know which aunt I'm talking about. Get in touch with her and she'll probably be more than willing to let you go along.
4.) It'd be more like a redneck walking into an Arab(-ish) bar.
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Its a dry arid place that doesnt have much going for it.
I am not a fan of the inhabitants of Egypt to start with, mix that with the super hot temperatures (which means getting up at 3am to do anything otherwise its too hot), mosquitoes and other insects and a severe lack of culture outside the countless tombs there are in specific areas, its not all that a great to go to.
/shuts up
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I know a couple of Egyptians living in the US if that makes you happy... :-) I lived in kuwait till I was four, have been on vacation to some arab countries, never been to Egypt though. Might like to visit once, although I must say that it is not the #1 priority on my list. I also shaved my head bald just yesterday...
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It's like when the English come over here. :P Eastern Europe kicks ass by the by. And most European countries have similar attitudes towards United States citizens as far as I know.