on 28 April 2004 : 17:58, siddi barbu sez:
hey, i've been all over and can give some recs
dubai is fascinating as its very westernized, which is also what makes it wholly uninteresting, the spectacle is worth seeing for shock value but after two hours its over; necessary only for buying phillipe patek watches at one-third cost or going to kfc and eating tawoosh kebabs
qatar is probably not going to give you a visa unless you have a really good reason. very little cultural attraction anyway, basically just petro, baby, although there is a sort of huge derby horse racing event each year in this gargantuan race track recently built right outa doha
i would say lebanon is the way to go, its modern, hip, and the women are lengend..go to the atlas cafe have yourself a hookah and mint tea and you'll know heaven
but then you have to go to israel, i mean its just mind-boggling what jerusalem has become, terra sancta enmeshed in modernity, the end of history etc, then when you've soaked it all in relax in the meditarenean at netanya or eilat if you must (anything except tel aviv) and wait for judgement day
siddi
on 28 April 2004 : 18:08, checker sez:
on 28 April 2004 : 18:18, checker sez:
on 29 April 2004 : 15:13, cyndi sez:
I'm a little biased, obviously, but I would lean towards including Israel. It's got elements of three major religions, but is modern and secular, and up on technology.
Lebanon also sounds very interesting, and I would love to go there, if the option was open to me.
If you do end up including Israel in your plans and need info, send me an email.
on 29 April 2004 : 22:11, Mike B. sez:
on 2 May 2004 : 19:57, Mike F sez:
on 14 May 2004 : 11:04, mary sez:
One of the most intriguing countries in the Middle East is Oman. Gorgeous mountains and seashores, very traditional yet open culture. I went there last year, along with dubai, and had a fabulous time. It feels like you are going back to Biblical times, yet is very safe. The women wear the traditional burka and abaya, yet in fabulous bright colors, and a lot of the people are black, because it was a huge trading port and used to own Zanzibar. It is the home of frankincense, Sinbad the sailor, and the Queen of Sheba. Have a great time wherever you choose. You will find most of the people you meet n the Arabic world to be delightful.
on 26 May 2004 : 02:10, leyla sez:
i was born in tehran. you're not recommended to go there according to uncle sam. but even axil of evil countries rely on technology. you'll find cellphones in villages near the caspian and ultra-trendy internet cafes in tehran full of the beautiful people (usually unemployed and over-qualified engineering students - my how shit changes abroad).
isfahan. ah, isfahan words can't describe. at the risk of exoticizing, i will say that there is an irresistable
mix of eroticism and calm in that great city.
in iran - you'll also find people that distrust the US government, of course. but this distrust of entities such as the CIA rarely translates into animosity toward Americans. Iranians are notoriously hospitable. And they, against established law & order, like to party party. And, you may be able to witness Friday prayers at the University of Tehran. This summer marks an anniversary of a [July] student uprising, so could be interesting..not quite sipping a margarita on a beach in Bora Bora.. but, infinite possibilities for stimulation nonetheless.
Oh! And there are the prostitutes in the parks in Tehran that people are always trying to interview. Thankfully, they have a healthy skepticism of the anthropologist's eye (and ear.)
There is the new and improved mass transit subway system, designed and built without modern restrooms (how passive aggressive is that shit?)
If you're into widespread destruction you can visit current-day Bam. You can hold up a postcard of the pre-earthquake city and shake your head in disbelief at the mystical workings of Jesus on the 'have nots' of the world.
You can swim nekkid in the Caspian. The best part. But, I think my vision was clouded because, as a woman, I was mandated to cover/hejab during those stinky summer months. So, the visits to the 'women's beach' was amazing and much-appreciated. (The gender-distinct beaches are separated by these sail-looking things that prevent the oh no! sighint of
[un]holy female bodies.
Yazd and Mashad are places that every human being should see. But, traffic in Tehran is something that every life-loving pedestrian should eternally avoid. Lest you crave death.
That said, you should go to Lebanon. I'll be in Iran with the rest of my US-flag burning homies. Incidentally, we are still pissed about the ousting of our beloved Mossadegh. (Nah, I wasn't born then, but I'm hip to the anti-uncle-samism.)
(Apologies to the Iranian ministries of tourism for my unintentional neglect of the more prominent attractions..)