Have you ever visited or would you ever consider visiting a Middle Eastern country?

Seaneh · 25-04-2011 10:56AM

Yes and Yes.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 25-04-2011 11:23AM

Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Jordan & Egypt (yes I know its considered N.Africa).

Lebanon is a stunningly beautiful country, with the friendliest & most hospitable people you could imagine. And their food is to die for.

Its very safe, however it does have its problems of course. But easily avoidable - ie Hezbollah strongholds and Palestinian camps.

Israel, most hate it before going and only go for work or a holyland tour but leave loving the place. The people are hard work, but once you scratch the surface they're ok.

Syria & Jordan, only really visited the capitals and much the same as the Lebanese.

I didn't like Egypt one bit, in fact its one of the only countries I've visited which I've absolutely no desire to return to.

Badgermonkey · 25-04-2011 11:45AM

Visit Iran.

Despite the theocratic nature of the state, its people are curious, friendly and hugely hospitable, its landscape encompasses gorgeous lush forests, mountains, desert and bizarrely, some terrific skiing.

Its cultural and archaeological history is breathtaking, sites as impressive as Persepolis or the city of Esfahan are virtually tourist free and it is an incredibly inexpensive country in which to travel.

Freddie59 · 25-04-2011 12:17PM

BQQ wrote: »

These stories are not representative of the general experience of people. I could find a couple of news stories about Dublin which could make it look good or bad, but which wouldn't be an accurate portrayal of the place.

I too have several friends that have been there including a woman who has lived there for over 3 years and they all loved it.
I was there myself for a month and the people were very friendly and hospitable.

In fairness I don't think anyone has been arrested in Dublin for kissing someone on the cheek. And fcuked in jail to boot. I would avoid these countries at all costs personally. If that's the law over there then they're welcome to it.

Da Shins Kelly · 25-04-2011 02:51PM

Freddie59 wrote: »

In fairness I don't think anyone has been arrested in Dublin for kissing someone on the cheek. And fcuked in jail to boot. I would avoid these countries at all costs personally. If that's the law over there then they're welcome to it.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I think it's a bit of a shame that you're not even a little bit curious about finding out what the people in these countries are really like instead of just accepting everything you hear.

Dudess · 25-04-2011 02:57PM

I've been to Turkey - didn't enjoy it.

I'd like to go to Israel as I'm interested in it. There's no way all countries in the Middle East are places where you'll be arrested for e.g. kissing in public though - it depends on which country.

Nodin · 25-04-2011 02:59PM

Egypt - I've always been tempted, even had access to free seats, but never went, due to the thought of the heat. I'd fuckin die. I can barely take the summers here.

partyatmygaff · 25-04-2011 03:00PM

Freddie59 wrote: »

In fairness I don't think anyone has been arrested in Dublin for kissing someone on the cheek. And fcuked in jail to boot. I would avoid these countries at all costs personally. If that's the law over there then they're welcome to it.

That's pretty much unheard of in all countries barring perhaps the likes of Saudi Arabia or Iran. People in North Africa and to an extent the Gulf regions even greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.

iPlop · 25-04-2011 03:09PM

I have a friend that travels the world installing, maintaining and servicing gas turbines in powerplants/stations.He's been to Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Saudi and Israel to name a few.He's told of some terrifying moments whilst he was in Iraq, foreign workers were being kidnapped and murdered at the time.

He said the other places are not like they're made out on the news, especially Iran,Theres huge shopping malls and it's very western looking and generally safe.

Wolfe Tone · 25-04-2011 03:29PM

I would but the heat would melt me.

Jezzabelle · 25-04-2011 04:38PM

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

You're entitled to your opinion, but I think it's a bit of a shame that you're not even a little bit curious about finding out what the people in these countries are really like instead of just accepting everything you hear.

I personally, have no interest whatsoever in visiting a country that has little or no respect for the rights of women and see them as second class citizens. Whether that "only" applies to local women or not, I do not care.

The likes of Dubai seems to give off the image of being a cosmopolitan and liberal country just because they have / had tonnes of money due to their hefty oil reserve. Scratch beneath the surface and you will find a different story - their backward and primitive laws are one frightening example. I know they attract a huge amount of foreign workers who live and work in the country perfectly happily for years. However, if they step outside the boundaries, they may see a very different side to things.

Auldloon · 25-04-2011 04:55PM

Saudi a few times. What a horrible race of people:(

Gaz · 25-04-2011 05:02PM

Syria, Iran, Jordan, Egypt and loved it with Iran being the standout, unbeliveably friendly people , incredible food, amazing history and sights and possibly one of the cheapest places ive ever been.

25-04-2011 05:03PM

Dubai of UAE.

Hank Scorpio · 25-04-2011 05:06PM

heard Dubai was a horrible place to work in from someone

df1985 · 25-04-2011 05:22PM

Never been to any, (dont think kusadasi in turkey counts) but would love to visit a few.

Id like to see Dubai just for all the craziness but once would be enough id imagine. shopping centres and skyscarpers arent exactly culture.

Would like to go to Iran, I know a man who went to the Ireland v Iran world cup playoff years ago and came home raving about the people in particular. The replies here seem to back that up.

While some things about saudi arabia disgust me theres something fascinating about the place too.

Greyfox · 25-04-2011 05:22PM

nuxxx wrote: »

heard Dubai was a horrible place to work in from someone

My brother and his girlfriend work in Dubai and they love it, they think it's the greatest city in the world. they say americans and europeans are treating very well due to their economy depending on foreigners.

Sephiroth_dude · 25-04-2011 05:26PM

No I would never consider visiting any of those countries.

Fuhrer · 25-04-2011 05:28PM

The UAE is like the Vegas of the middle east.

El Horseboxo · 25-04-2011 05:42PM

Been to a few back when traveling years ago. Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and UAE. Was in Morocco also which seemed similar in culture. Favorite places would have been Palestine, Iran and Lebanon. Bahrain was pretty cool too.

sam34 · 25-04-2011 05:52PM

closest ive been is istanbul. i hated it - found the attitude towards females horrible, we got loads of hassle on the street and in bars, and the men were very intimidating.

Kaka10 · 25-04-2011 06:07PM

I've been to Dubai, materalistic and souless place. I've been to Lebannon which is an incredible place and full of character and some beautiful people although very dangerous. Other than that I haven't been anywhere else although my brother went to Iran I think at the same time when Ireland were playing Iran in soccer(not sure when that was) and he said it was the trip of a lifetime and said the people there were the biggest heroes he ever met.

I'd definitely go to the Middle East before I'd go to any part of Africa to be honest.

blorg · 25-04-2011 07:07PM

There is a lot more to the Middle East than Dubai, it would be like a thread asking 'would you go to North America' and lots of people replying 'no, I have no desire to go to Las Vegas.'

Having said that Dubai in particular was on my own list of places I was sure I never wanted to go, (along with Vegas) until I had to, due to my general itinerary across the Middle East. As a city it was far from the top of my list of Middle East experiences but I was actually surprised that it wasn't half as bad as I was expecting either. I spent Christmas there with an Indian immigrant I met through CouchSurfing and had a great time with him including a great, if slightly surreal, Christmas eve watching a Filipino band with a bunch of his friends.

As a city, a lot of it is a bit ridiculous and over the top but it is clean and everything seems to work very well (which was a change from the previous 4 months in Turkey, Syria and Iran.) There is also, due to the immigrant community, a fantastic range of food, all of which is dirt cheap. The Indian food being as good as in India, only in Dubai it comes with free hygiene!

There is also the core of the old city, the Creek is pleasant and the areas where the immigrants ply their trade like Deira are a bit more authentic feeling.

Out in the UAE countryside was very nice and peaceful... one beautiful place we camped for two days and didn't see another human being in that time period.

All in all I wouldn't be rushing back to Dubai in particular but as a stopover it was a perfectly pleasant place to spend a few days.

Da Shins Kelly · 25-04-2011 07:15PM

Jezzabelle wrote: »

I personally, have no interest whatsoever in visiting a country that has little or no respect for the rights of women and see them as second class citizens. Whether that "only" applies to local women or not, I do not care.

The likes of Dubai seems to give off the image of being a cosmopolitan and liberal country just because they have / had tonnes of money due to their hefty oil reserve. Scratch beneath the surface and you will find a different story - their backward and primitive laws are one frightening example. I know they attract a huge amount of foreign workers who live and work in the country perfectly happily for years. However, if they step outside the boundaries, they may see a very different side to things.

I don't think every Middle Eastern country has no respect for women, as far as I know. Pakistan, I've heard, is becoming very progressive with regards to women's rights, as is Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. The world is changing, and usually these changes come about through tourism and the local people realising that the rest of the world doesn't live like them. A good example of this is Spain towards the end of Franco's reign. More and more tourists started visiting Spain and soon they realised that the rest of the world was far more liberal than they imagined, and now look at the country. These places need to be given a chance. People will do the right thing when they realise that there's nothing wrong with it.

diddlybit · 25-04-2011 07:29PM

Spent three years of my childhood in a military city in Saudi Arabia. It was absolutely idyllic and had friends from all over the world. The Sauds love children and spoilt us rotten anywhere we went. Had a massive culture shock when my parents moved us back to Dublin.

As a child, I didn't see any of the issues that many people brought up in this thread. My parents did however, but that didn't mean that they didn't enjoy the experience of living in a radically different culture to our own.

Would love to go back and work there for a while, but I'm gay.

Auldloon · 25-04-2011 08:20PM

diddlybit wrote: »

Would love to go back and work there for a while, but I'm gay.

Partied with a few Irish gay guys while I was over there. You would be fine as long as you were reasonably careful. Having said that one of my colleagues was deported for being gay. He wasn't gay the religious police just decided he was:mad:

paddy kerins · 25-04-2011 08:22PM

I'd quite like to go to Dubai

Sonnenblumen · 25-04-2011 08:27PM

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

I don't think every Middle Eastern country has no respect for women, as far as I know. Pakistan, I've heard, is becoming very progressive with regards to women's rights, as is Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. The world is changing, and usually these changes come about through tourism and the local people realising that the rest of the world doesn't live like them. A good example of this is Spain towards the end of Franco's reign. More and more tourists started visiting Spain and soon they realised that the rest of the world was far more liberal than they imagined, and now look at the country. These places need to be given a chance. People will do the right thing when they realise that there's nothing wrong with it.

Do you really believe Pakistan is progressive? Only last week (Thurs 21 April 2011):

"A high court set free several of the men accused of the shocking gang-rape of Mukhtar Mai. Gayle Tzemach Lemmon on why the activist for women's rights now fears for her life."

More details....

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-21/mukhtar-mai-pakistans-gang-rape-verdict-travesty/#

diddlybit · 25-04-2011 08:32PM

Chuileog wrote: »

Partied with a few Irish gay guys while I was over there. You would be fine as long as you were reasonably careful. Having said that one of my colleagues was deported for being gay. He wasn't gay the religious police just decided he was:mad:

If I decided to emmigrate I'd be bringing my OH with me. Don't really fancy hiding either. It's nice to know that people are finding ways around the prohibition on the quiet.

Da Shins Kelly · 25-04-2011 08:36PM

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Do you really believe Pakistan is progressive? Only last week (Thurs 21 April 2011):

"A high court set free several of the men accused of the shocking gang-rape of Mukhtar Mai. Gayle Tzemach Lemmon on why the activist for women's rights now fears for her life."

More details....

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-21/mukhtar-mai-pakistans-gang-rape-verdict-travesty/#

Obviously it's not perfect, or progressive by our standards and of course things like this are still happening. However, the situation there is improving. It's better than it was and it will get better.

Have you ever visited or would you ever consider visiting a Middle Eastern country?

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