Anyone on Flyer Talk want to get together and visit Iran?
Nov 1, 2000, 5:23 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
Ummmm .... may not have just posting the LINK sufficed?? The data on Iran there is over a year old.
There is a WARNING page from US Govt for literally EVERY country on earth from where you took that from at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
Some would not visit Australia after reading all that spiel. And certainly not northern Thailand - where a whole bunch of FT'ers are heading right now.
There is a WARNING page from US Govt for literally EVERY country on earth from where you took that from at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
Some would not visit Australia after reading all that spiel. And certainly not northern Thailand - where a whole bunch of FT'ers are heading right now.
Nov 1, 2000, 5:37 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Florence Alabama
Posts: 66
Our taxes work in interesting ways. Same State Dept site has a helpful fact sheet on "CHEMICAL - BIOLOGICAL WARFARE" which might be useful to print out and keep in my kitchen. Not aimed at Iran I hasten to add - but just in case it happens one day in Alabama: http://travel.state.gov/cbw.html
Nov 1, 2000, 7:34 am
#18
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,676
I don't really consider myself a risk-averse person. To the contrary.
But one should not believe the US propoganda about our ability to conduct "sergical strikes," and the last thing I want to be is "collateral damage."
Oz is correct that it is all about timing. My assistant's parents had been planning a trip to Jerusalem to walk in Jesus' steps for over three years. They were to depart three weeks ago. They did not go.
I believe that relations can and will continue to improve between the US and Iran. But I'm just as confident that there will be setbacks along the way. I anticipate a big one between now and 1/1/01. Thus my advice: just make sure your tickets are not non-refundable.
If I held a swiss, australian, french, or just about any other passport then american I'm sure I would feel differently.
All just MHO
.
But one should not believe the US propoganda about our ability to conduct "sergical strikes," and the last thing I want to be is "collateral damage."
Oz is correct that it is all about timing. My assistant's parents had been planning a trip to Jerusalem to walk in Jesus' steps for over three years. They were to depart three weeks ago. They did not go.
I believe that relations can and will continue to improve between the US and Iran. But I'm just as confident that there will be setbacks along the way. I anticipate a big one between now and 1/1/01. Thus my advice: just make sure your tickets are not non-refundable.
If I held a swiss, australian, french, or just about any other passport then american I'm sure I would feel differently.
All just MHO
.
Nov 1, 2000, 7:58 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
What a shame your friends felt they needed to cancel after 3 years of plans! My guess is the risk of a terrorist attack is NIL at the Sea Of Galillee, The Mount Of Olives, the tomb in Nazareth, the stations of the cross in Bethlehem, etc, and other wonderful and REAL Chrsitian sites.
Walking around a disputed settlement on the West Bank etc is a whole other ball game. Where the tourists go in Israel, no matter what their passport, is still IMHO safer than the Bethesda beltway!
Walking around a disputed settlement on the West Bank etc is a whole other ball game. Where the tourists go in Israel, no matter what their passport, is still IMHO safer than the Bethesda beltway!
Nov 1, 2000, 9:24 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Koko, you watch/read the U.S. news too much. The U.S. media is full of youknowwhat when it comes to reporting on the middle east. Washington D.C. is demonstratably far more dangerous to American civilians than anywhere in the middle east.
But don't just listen to me, go for yourself and talk to the people there. Everyone I've met in Saudi, the Emirates, Egypt, Palestine and Israel love to have Americans visit. It's just a very small group of wackos that hate some of the bad things the U.S. Government has done (and the U.S. Government has done a lot of bad things in that part of the world). Our media loves to follow the wackos. But regular people know that you can't blame the citizens for the government. This is especially true in the middle east.
Anyhow I'd love to come and I just might bump into you all if I have a free weekend within 1000 miles of Iran. But personally, I hate tour groups. I prefer to walk/drive around on my own whether I know the language or not.
Basalamati! (cheers in Farsi)
But don't just listen to me, go for yourself and talk to the people there. Everyone I've met in Saudi, the Emirates, Egypt, Palestine and Israel love to have Americans visit. It's just a very small group of wackos that hate some of the bad things the U.S. Government has done (and the U.S. Government has done a lot of bad things in that part of the world). Our media loves to follow the wackos. But regular people know that you can't blame the citizens for the government. This is especially true in the middle east.
Anyhow I'd love to come and I just might bump into you all if I have a free weekend within 1000 miles of Iran. But personally, I hate tour groups. I prefer to walk/drive around on my own whether I know the language or not.
Basalamati! (cheers in Farsi)
Nov 1, 2000, 7:57 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Sacramento area, CA USA
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,858
I would love it, esp if Syria and Lebanon are thrown in. Otherwise, too far and too much jet lag for only a week's trip. We visited the Persian Gulf almost 2 yrs ago, inc Yemen, and had a fabulous time. I might even give up my planned trip to China for that time if this gets going!
Nov 1, 2000, 8:05 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
Karen, I'd be up for those as well - bet Magic Carpet Travel could cobble a 2 week package together for us or something! Interested in any other comments on these.
------------------
~ Glen ~
------------------
~ Glen ~
Nov 1, 2000, 8:33 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 17
One of the other travel agencies on the general Iran website link mentioned above, , Bestway, also has a website, at www.bestway.com. I forget where I heard of them, but I'm on their email list for new trips. I've never been on one of their trips, so I can't vouch for them, but the trips look fascinating and I think they can put together a custom trip as well.
Nov 2, 2000, 6:57 am
#24
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
Originally posted by stimpy:
But personally, I hate tour groups. I prefer to walk/drive around on my own whether I know the language or not.
But personally, I hate tour groups. I prefer to walk/drive around on my own whether I know the language or not.
Nov 2, 2000, 7:43 am
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
FWIW,
"In recent years, there has been a growing tendency to refer to Persian as Farsi. Professor Ehsan Yarshater, editor of the Encyclopaedia Iranica, has written about the damage wrought by changing "Persia" to "Iran" and has pointed out that the use of Farsi in foreign languages is as detrimental.(1) Here, I would like to focus on the latter issue and explain the reasons behind the growth of tendencies to call Persian Farsi.
Persian, the term used for centuries in the West, originated in a region of southern Iran formerly known as Persis. It was the language of the Parsa, an Indo-European nomadic people who migrated into the region about 1000 BC. The older forms of the language are known as Old and Middle Persian. Old Persian was spoken until approximately the 3rd century BC and Middle Persian, or Pahlavi, was spoken from the 3rd century BC to the 9th century AD.
The use of the names Persia and Persian were gradually extended by the ancient Greeks and other Western peoples to apply to the Iranian Plateau and the official language in the region respectively. New Persian is closely related to these ancient forms. Persian became the lingua franca of the region during the Islamic period. It was the official language of countries such as India for many centuries during which time numerous annals, chronicles, and court volumes of poetry were compiled outside Iran. (2)
Today, Persian is not only the name of the official language in Iran but also of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, and different dialects of this language are spoken in many regions of south and central Asia.(3)"
http://www.iranian.com/Features/Dec97/Persian/
"In recent years, there has been a growing tendency to refer to Persian as Farsi. Professor Ehsan Yarshater, editor of the Encyclopaedia Iranica, has written about the damage wrought by changing "Persia" to "Iran" and has pointed out that the use of Farsi in foreign languages is as detrimental.(1) Here, I would like to focus on the latter issue and explain the reasons behind the growth of tendencies to call Persian Farsi.
Persian, the term used for centuries in the West, originated in a region of southern Iran formerly known as Persis. It was the language of the Parsa, an Indo-European nomadic people who migrated into the region about 1000 BC. The older forms of the language are known as Old and Middle Persian. Old Persian was spoken until approximately the 3rd century BC and Middle Persian, or Pahlavi, was spoken from the 3rd century BC to the 9th century AD.
The use of the names Persia and Persian were gradually extended by the ancient Greeks and other Western peoples to apply to the Iranian Plateau and the official language in the region respectively. New Persian is closely related to these ancient forms. Persian became the lingua franca of the region during the Islamic period. It was the official language of countries such as India for many centuries during which time numerous annals, chronicles, and court volumes of poetry were compiled outside Iran. (2)
Today, Persian is not only the name of the official language in Iran but also of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, and different dialects of this language are spoken in many regions of south and central Asia.(3)"
http://www.iranian.com/Features/Dec97/Persian/
Nov 2, 2000, 2:10 pm
#26
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: TUS
Programs: AA 1.8 MM, DL, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold,
Posts: 3,430
Thanks for the history lesson..I learned some Urdu, Farce and Pashto when I was in Afghanistan, Iran,Irag,Pakistan,North West fontier(Kyber Pass ,,,no its not a milage run...) and Pakistan India, Nepal,Tibet...a mulititude of linguistics in that region...Baht Run in 3 days and more language education...this is another reason I love to travel!
------------------
MRKEY
------------------
MRKEY
Nov 2, 2000, 4:54 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
DOC .. you are a legend .... where the HECK did you stumble on that???! Wonder if the "Encyclopaedia Iranica" you mention is a junior subsidary of the Encyclopaedia Britiranica" ?
essxjay. Not sure how many (if any) small group tours you have done in obscure ....ries, but please note we are not talking here of 70 people on a double decker Globus or Grayline tour bus working to a demonic military like schedule! I have done many of these private or small group tours in countries like Vietnam, Ecuador, Cambodia, Cuba, Jordan etc, where getting around yourself is hardly adviseable, and not NEARLY as enjoyable - the latter being the key for me.
If 4 or 6 or 8 people sign up for these things, the schedule tends to be rather "rubbery" and stopping where you want en-route is the sole call of those travelling.
These small groups usually entail a car or small tour bus, a driver and an "english" speaking guide, the latter component one has no control over, and can make or break the experience!
This is how I would envision a specialist travel agent setting up a small group tour if a handful of us were interested, and could agree on a month, rough itinerary, and approx. period of time available to us to do it in.
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 11-02-2000).]
essxjay. Not sure how many (if any) small group tours you have done in obscure ....ries, but please note we are not talking here of 70 people on a double decker Globus or Grayline tour bus working to a demonic military like schedule! I have done many of these private or small group tours in countries like Vietnam, Ecuador, Cambodia, Cuba, Jordan etc, where getting around yourself is hardly adviseable, and not NEARLY as enjoyable - the latter being the key for me.
If 4 or 6 or 8 people sign up for these things, the schedule tends to be rather "rubbery" and stopping where you want en-route is the sole call of those travelling.
These small groups usually entail a car or small tour bus, a driver and an "english" speaking guide, the latter component one has no control over, and can make or break the experience!
This is how I would envision a specialist travel agent setting up a small group tour if a handful of us were interested, and could agree on a month, rough itinerary, and approx. period of time available to us to do it in.
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 11-02-2000).]
Nov 3, 2000, 12:24 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Sacramento area, CA USA
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,858
My family did the same kind of trip with friends in Guatamala - basically it was a car and driver and a vaguely put together itinerary. We had a great time in our van. I am not up to a bus tour either BUT if it were a Flyer Talk trip I might consider! We HATE "handicraft shops" - want to make that clear from the beginning!!! Just want to see the sights.
Nov 3, 2000, 10:28 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Essxjay, I'm guessing you are female? If so, then yes I would try to hire a guide when sightseeing in the middle east. I've heard stories about Iran that suggest females sometimes serve as guides and drivers there. So if you dress up as a local and hire a female to take you around, you should blend in nice and have a good time.
As for me, I never have much of a problem expressing my needs if I don't know the local lingo. And getting lost in a strange land is actually quite fun.
As for me, I never have much of a problem expressing my needs if I don't know the local lingo. And getting lost in a strange land is actually quite fun.
Nov 3, 2000, 11:26 am
#30
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
stimpy, you nailed it. thanks for the info.
i normally love to get lost in strange lands, but am unsure about my ability to roam around freely in a muslim country given the fact of my gender. glad to hear my mobility probably won't be affected, esp. if i hire a guide.
i normally love to get lost in strange lands, but am unsure about my ability to roam around freely in a muslim country given the fact of my gender. glad to hear my mobility probably won't be affected, esp. if i hire a guide.