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| Jordan |
I have planned this trip, secured the dates, and tried to click "book" at least three times...Last ski week, last spring break and last fall break, all to no avail. This is a trip that I desperately want to take while living in Europe, but every time I go to click "book" the tensions in the Middle East rear up again!
My friends have gone and said it was all good, that they never felt threatened or at risk, but something in me just can't do it. When I tell my European friends, they think that I am crazy.
"You go with a guide, and you will be safe!"
But all I can think about is the movie Babel. You know the one where Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett take a vacation to the Middle East and it all goes terribly wrong~are you seeing my neurosis that I talked about while in Australia? If you haven't seen the movie, it is worth a rental. One wrong turn of the tour bus and everything changes.
I have been to a few places that weren't exactly the safest; the township of Sowetto in South Africa, Argentina at 2am, parts of Mexico that I shouldn't have been in, and New York City at 4am, drunk and trying to find my way home, but that's another blog. I am now "older" and "wiser"~haha~ and have a family to think about.
Today all of my concerns were confirmed. I opened CNN Travel, and right there in front of me was an article on the top destinations you shouldn't go alone!! Now, again if you saw Babel, you know that they weren't alone but I never really thought their travel guide looked that trust worthy. This article made me think again about the Middle East, do I book for fall with a guide?
What do you think? Take a look at the list and remember that the reason you may need a guide is not always safety, then tell me; are any of the destinations on your bucket list?
Where there's a will there's a way! I would suggest going on a tour with a company. They know the places that are unsafe and you have a full time guide to make the most of your dream trip!
ReplyDeleteI agree Jennifer...will keep you posted as to if I really click "book"!!
DeleteI would love to go to Russia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan (3 of them are on the list!) but for the very same reasons as you, I just can't hit 'book now'. Even if everything was fine, I'm not sure I would be able to completely relax during my time there.
ReplyDeleteThen again, life is too short to live in fear. I may need to dose up and go! Where's that bottle of Xanax?!
Krsti-
DeleteLife is too short and we are so close to many of these locations living in Europe! Russia is on our list as well. So, how do you know about my bottle of Xanax? Haha
Hey now - I have my own bottle! I like to call it 'emergency courage'. :)
DeleteHaha, I thought at some point I told you of my habit of mixing with wine while flying!! I like it "emergency courage" is good!
DeleteThey were in North Africa weren't they? In Babel? I thought it was Morocco...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, so kid with a riffle can accidentally shoot you in lots of countries :P
Wiffy-How correct you are! Like Kristi said, "you an't live in fear". I think it was Morocco, it was such a great movie! Thanks for stopping by
DeleteMy best friend just got back from Israel when all the bombing was going on. She said all the places she was it was very peaceful. But...she is single. Not married. No kids. I don't think I could do it. Even as many people tell me how safe it is and what not. BABEL freaked me out. I'm always in awe of people who go and they have a fantastic time. But, I couldn't do it with kids. I would stop myself from hitting the book now button too!!
ReplyDeleteIt's very scary once you have kids. You look at life differently! Im with you Babel freaked me out as well. All it takes is one wrong turn!
Deletefanny packed......................!!That is so rude where I come from
ReplyDeleteSo I say JFDI!!
Love it! not rude
DeleteThat's a toughy. So hard to say. I'd say if you think you'll be worried the whole time and not sleep well because of it, well, maybe that's not the trip for you. I find everyone has a different tolerance for adventure & risk - it seems the Dutch are fearless (the ones I've met, anyway).
ReplyDeleteI looked at the CNN list and I've been to quite a few of those places. I think the meaning is more that you should have a guide or at least an agent who has set something up for you, or you would miss so much. You wouldn't want to go to the Galapagos without a naturalist to tell you what you are seeing, for example. But it is totally safe. It could be that the logistics would be difficult without a native speaker in some of those countries. I didn't take that list to be of dangerous locations. Good luck on your decision!!
I think if we use common sense and go when there is obvious termoil it would be okay, and I agree a guide is essential. Thanks and I will make sure that I post if I go!!
DeleteI'm back :) The part of Babel that freaked me out the most was the scenes of the children in the Mexican desert with their nanny. I'd forgotten about the Pitt/Blanchett bit :)
ReplyDeleteThat was the worst!! It just shows how much can change by one choice-Crazy!
DeleteGosh, I don't know. There are so many beautiful places to see that aren't on this list. Maybe play on the side of caution and make safety first. Although you put yourself in danger every time you walk out the front door right? Ahhhh! I totally see your dilemma. Anxious to hear what you decide!
ReplyDeleteKatie~
As of now, it's not booked-haha...still cautious! I will post if I get up the nerve to click book! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've always wanted to go to Jordan, and I regret not going while having the opportunity a few years ago when there was much less tension... Hopefully things will get better soon as there are many countries in the Middle East worth visiting! I remember Babel being a great movie, don't really remember anything else though. :)
ReplyDeleteI to hope that things calm down, at least before I leave Europe so that we can maybe head that way! Babel is a great one and worth another view! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI travelled to the outskirts of Malaysia crossing the borders to Thailand with my another girl friend. It took us about 21 hours, travel and waiting, walking and all. That time we heard that Thailand was in trouble, government wasn't intact and all. I guess my point is, you need need to have that courage. Middle East is not a safe place for sure but travel there with a group. Let everyone know in your family that you are in Jordan. Give them your contact details, your guide's contact details and your whereabouts. That should give them peace of mind. I'd say, GO! If the universe wants you there, you will be there. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower from Thumping Thursdays. Have a good week!
xo,
Gwen
http://junior-executive.blogspot.com
http://green-bellpepper.blogspot.com/
Hi Gwen. Thanks for stopping by and for following! Did you love Thailand? I hear it is amazing and gorgeous! I agree, if it's meant to be...it will be!
DeleteI say go for it! I traveled China alone a lot and never had an issue so obviously that article is full of crap!
ReplyDeleteAryn
Driftwood and Daydreams
Haha good point Aryn! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteHi Dena - not sure if it's still timely, but all I can say is GO. If I had listened to everyone before our move to South Africa about what a dangerous place that is, especially Johannesburg, we would never have moved there with our four kids. And the thing is, it was the most beautiful place we've ever lived, with the best friends we've ever made. I would so have hated to miss that. And the crime? Well, it turned out not to be nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be. I used to be in the same crowd as your German friends, saying "you must be crazy" to people planning a trip to, say, Israel, but I've completely changed my mind. Security is but one aspect of the things you should do in your life, and it always should be weighed against all the other benefits. Of course I'm no expert on Jordan, but you'll regret the rest of your life not going there if you don't do it while you have the chance.
ReplyDelete