Reply to: The spy who didn't love me

[TykeMerc]

I've wanted to holiday in Egypt and look at the ancient sites for the last few years, but I've been put off by all the violence.

[lilelvis2000]

I've been to Karnak.

My folks went out there a few years back. Very sad. This only hurts the locals as tourism is about the only thing that keeps Egypt going.

[Scruff]

After you'd been working on a Kibbutz?

Wonder if people still do that any more...

I wound up in a similar place - Taghazout in Morocco in'93 & that was pretty similar; lots of stoners who'd been there since the '60s. I wonder if these places are still like that? - I doubt it...

No working on a Kibbutz for me, sadly. On my way back from Pamplona, festival D'Irun.

[ZARDOZ]

Was there any point in that?

Only to show geography not his strong point

[Gumbo Robot]

I was in Sinai in '94. Pure chilled. Pre building Dahab into what it is now. Just hippies. No buildings other than huts and palm trees on the beach. Lots of funny cigarettes around.

St Catherine's was less smoky but much the same.

After you'd been working on a Kibbutz?

Wonder if people still do that any more...

I wound up in a similar place - Taghazout in Morocco in'93 & that was pretty similar; lots of stoners who'd been there since the '60s. I wonder if these places are still like that? - I doubt it...

[Paddy]

I went a week after that. Place was deserted (not a pun) after from armed police and I got to climb the pyramid.

Was there any point in that?

[MarillionFan]

Nov '97 was horrific

Luxor massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I went a week after that. Place was deserted (not a pun) after from armed police and I got to climb the pyramid.

[Scruff]

I was in Sinai in '94. Pure chilled. Pre building Dahab into what it is now. Just hippies. No buildings other than huts and palm trees on the beach. Lots of funny cigarettes around.

St Catherine's was less smoky but much the same.

[ZARDOZ]

When did you chaps visit out of interest? Was it after '97?

I was in Sharm about a week before the Sinai bombings in 2005 (Sharm) and 2006 (Dahab)

I visited Luxor in 2000 pre all the 911 baggage. Felt very safe then although tourists were just returning and the Coptic Christians hadn't been driven out. Wouldn't feel safe there now.

[PurpleGorilla]

Any suggestions? I agree with what you said - I just can't think of a better way that is not drastic and cause more issues than it solves.

Thousands of young muslims are being radicalised and drawn into the conflict.

We are too cautious about educating and insisting on western values (freedom, liberty, justice). I know the west doesn't get it all right, but IS justice is not justice. The way women are treated is utterly barbaric. Personally I think the BBC is all a bit soft and middle class. It doesn't want to upset anyone but the brutality is not being reported.

We also need a strong UN mandate, that can send a co-ordinated response into the middle east. I don't think segregation (india pakistan) is the right solution. But we clearly need a large number of UN peace keepers on the ground. Yes it will suck forces in. Yes it will be expensive. But can we really stand and watch indefinitely?

[mudskipper]

I went in 2008, so before Arab Spring kicked off. Glad I went when I did - unforgettable.

[I just need to test it]

+1. Went in about 1991. I thought it was great. But Egypt's not in a good state. Even the sharks in the Red Sea seem more aggressive than they did in the nineties.

[Pondlife]

I think it was 1995. Is that good or bad?

Nov '97 was horrific

Luxor massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[BrilloPad]

When did you chaps visit out of interest? Was it after '97?

I was in Sharm about a week before the Sinai bombings in 2005 (Sharm) and 2006 (Dahab)

I think it was 1995. Is that good or bad?

[Pondlife]

I've been to Karnak.

+1

Just as well as might be a while before I can go back.

When did you chaps visit out of interest? Was it after '97?

I was in Sharm about a week before the Sinai bombings in 2005 (Sharm) and 2006 (Dahab)