State department warning re: Egypt

[2travelers]

We ae leaving with GCT for the Ancient Egypt and the Nile tour in April. We have registered with the State department and this morning received a warning regarding several attacks in Cairo. Although they said that the attacks were not related they are warning tourists to keep away from crowded areas. They specifically included the market place and he Egyptian Museum. The Pyramids have also been a target of attack, although no one was hurt. GCT feels that they have sufficient security and that they are monitoring the situation. They also added that they have a group there now, which I am aware of. We are all seasoned travelers, but in all the years we have traveleld and registered with the State Department, we have never been contacted. I am not happy with this turn of events. I wonder how all of you feel about this. Is anyone out there heading for that area, and if so - what are your feelings. Our travel companions feel that we should take a "wait and see" attitude - but we leave in 6 weeks and that is right around the corner.

What are your thoughts? :confused:

[smeyer418]

http://www.state.gov/secretary/trvl/map/

 

Hillary is visiting Egypt now. Personally these attacks which happen rarely wouldn't stop me. I looked at the State Department web site but they must have not updated it yet as the warning doesn't appear. I would be more reluctant to go to Mexico but that is my level of concern yours may be lower/higher/

 

PS I was in Africa in November and crossed into Zimbabwe to see Victoria falls and had tea at the Victoria Falls hotel. This is despite a travel warning not to. It wasn't a problem. Egypt is safer.

[2travelers]

http://www.state.gov/secretary/trvl/map/

 

Hillary is visiting Egypt now. Personally these attacks which happen rarely wouldn't stop me. I looked at the State Department web site but they must have not updated it yet as the warning doesn't appear. I would be more reluctant to go to Mexico but that is my level of concern yours may be lower/higher/

 

PS I was in Africa in November and crossed into Zimbabwe to see Victoria falls and had tea at the Victoria Falls hotel. This is despite a travel warning not to. It wasn't a problem. Egypt is safer.

 

Hi Smeyer418 - I checked the government's website on travel advisory also, and Egypt has not been listed. What they did was e-mail a warning directly to those of us who had registered with the state department. While they did not warn us not to go, they did tell us of the events going on there. As for Hillary visiting, I would bet she has a bit more security than we will have! When we went to Istanbul there were problems and we felt perfectly safe. Being New Yorkers, well you know what happened to people who got up to go to work on Sept 11 - so I always feel that it is a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time kind of thing. This is the first time we have been contacted directly and it set be back a bit. As I said, we are taking a "wait and see" attitude, but time is getting close.

[7SeasLover]

It is posted on the US State Department Website. You have to click on the top link on the Cairo section to see the warning by the Warden.

 

The reason it was emailed to us is that we registered with the State Department for our upcoming trip.

 

Don't let those buggers get away with what they want us to do - be too afraid to travel. If GCT cancels, or if the US State Department says DON'T GO then we won't go. Until then I'm in a wait and see mode, and I'll keep reading and researching. There must be some GCT folks over there right now. Let's see what they say.

 

I may email the Mariott in Cairo and see what they say. I will google-earth and see if they are set-back from the street and drive-by bombers.

 

We wait.

[roscoe39]

It is posted on the US State Department Website. You have to click on the top link on the Cairo section to see the warning by the Warden.

 

The reason it was emailed to us is that we registered with the State Department for our upcoming trip.

 

Don't let those buggers get away with what they want us to do - be too afraid to travel. If GCT cancels, or if the US State Department says DON'T GO then we won't go. Until then I'm in a wait and see mode, and I'll keep reading and researching. There must be some GCT folks over there right now. Let's see what they say.

 

I may email the Mariott in Cairo and see what they say. I will google-earth and see if they are set-back from the street and drive-by bombers.

 

We wait.

 

Hi, are you staying at the Marriott, Omar Kayhan and Casino in cairo??? Ive stayed there many times., brilliant hotel. The hotel is set back from the road., in fact the main entrance to the hotel is up a ramp which is fairly narrow although there is a big forecourt. It has a stunning position rright beside the Nile., make sure you get a Nile View Room, well worth the slight extra expence.

I wouldnt be too concerned about safety in Egypt though the normal travel rules suce as being aware of your surroundings etc apply. Please dont avoid the Market or the Museum., youd be missing a once in alife time experience if you do...

 

If you would like to know any details or have any questions Id be more than happy to help., its my first choice hotel when I go to Egypt.

[coxswain]

British Travel Summary

 

There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants.

 

 

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/egypt?ta=travelSummary&pg=1

 

 

 

jj......

[Davensteph]

Hi Ginny and all going to Egypt

 

If you are at the Marriott Pyramids, they actually have a barrier and when your bus/van pulls up it will be checked with a bomb-sniffing dog. Security is also very apparant when you enter the hotel.

 

We were on a private tour at the beginning of February (before the Cairo bomb) and always felt very safe. (I actually was more concerned when I was in Jamaica. Felt quite insecure there.)

 

Don't let the murderers win. If you stop travelling because of their random attacks, you are playing into their hands.

 

Dave

[WeBeGone]

If your tour company cancels, then of course don't go. However, if your company feels that they can keep their clients safe, by all means do go and enjoy an adventure of a lifetime. No tour company will knowingly put clients in harm's way. Their sources are more accurate then our state department I'd venture to say. Just use your traveler's common sense.

 

We've been all over the world and believe that if it's time for my ticket to be punched, it'll be punched no matter where I am at the moment.

[cruisemom42]

I used to be more put off by that sort of warning, now it doesn't really bother me much. Perhaps it's a result of all the travel I've done. Short of going somewhere that's in an active war zone or where there is some sort of disease outbreak, I don't think I'd let it worry me. As others have said, if GCT really feels there is any danger, I'm sure they will cancel as it would not do them any good to endanger their customers!

 

I feel that I'm much more likely to die on the highway during my daily commute than I am to be the victim of a random terrorist act in a foreign country....

[COLMRS]

We were on GCT's Egypt trip in August, Security was good and I would bet

even more so now. We want to go back - it was such a good trip.

[7SeasLover]

Hi Dave and Steph!!!!! How are you!!!??? Long time no see - and Da Bear sends greetings!

 

Yes, we are at the Mariott in Cairo. I will go to all the places I want to see and poo-poo on the terrorists!

[maadimom]

We lived in Egypt for 5 years. These warnings were issued all the time we were there. The reason you received this one is most likely a result of the bombing last week or so ago at the Khan-el-Kahlili (big market). Several were injured and some killed. Sometimes they issue a warning when they get intelligence that something may happen. We had those almost weekly, but nothing ever resulted.

 

While we were there, a bomb went off outside the Egyptian Museum, there was an attack at Luxor that killed many tourists, and one of our fellow expats was stabbed in the back at the pyramids. These events do occur, but tend to be few and far between. There is zero tolerance for these types of actions, and those that are guilty of such offenses do not receive any glory from the Egyptians.

 

We had friends in higher places shall we say, that said that the best time to visit is after one of these types of events. The Egyptians depend heavily on tourism and these incidents cause them to ramp up the security big time. We actually visited Luxor just a week or so after the attack there. I was amazed at the security that was everywhere.

 

Remember there are literally thousands of Americans and other nationalities working and living in Egypt. Two of my three children graduated from the school in Maadi, (hence my name). If it weren't basically safe, these people would not be there especially with their families in tow.

 

Just remember, don't eat the lettuce! You are at a greater risk from that than an attack. Oh, and watch out for the driver's!! They are the most dangerous thing in the country.

I wish the best of times on your trip. It is truly an amazing place.

[7SeasLover]

Maadimom,

 

 

Thanks for jumping in and giving encouragement. I feel the same way as you. Heck my OFFICE is a war zone... of course, I'm kidding. One has to keep one's sense of humor.

 

While these events are tragic and scary, we simply cannot succumb (did I spell that correctly) to terrorists lest they get the upper hand - fear!

 

Yes, mummy tummy is much more likely to happen! And I absolutely agree that traveling immediately following such an incident is the safest. We traveled outside the US about 25 days after 9/11 and security was amazing.

 

I'm very much looking forward to our trip and very much looking forward to coming back and posting here!

[Hydrokitty]

I just came back (2/6) from Egypt and had a wonderful time. I traveled with Vantage and will admit that I would probably reconsider if I were going alone. But if you are going with a professional tour company I think you'll be fine. The hotels all had security and some of them had bomb sniffing dogs as well as x-ray of all parcels. We had a tourist policeman assigned to our group and he was with us every time we left the hotel. He was heavily armed and very watchful whether on or off the bus. Of course you could go off on your own, but I wouldn't recommend it, especially in Cairo, because of the traffic. The only thing I would avoid is the Khan el Kalili bazaar, which I didn't do on our trip before the bombing because of the many crowds, being a New Yorker I don't feel comfortable in confined places with large crowds any more.

 

If GCT feels comfortable taking you, then I would go. If they cancel then stay home. Let's face it, it's very bad for business for tourists to get hurt on a trip with their company! Bottom line, you can fall victim to a terrorist attack or to a single crazy person with a grenade or a gun, anywhere in the world. All I can tell you is I felt safe the entire time I was in Egypt and Jordan and it's a once in a lifetime trip that you shouldn't miss.

[Rickdabear]

Hi to Ginny, Steph and Dave and everyone else. You all know my motto "Shoot back." Have fun and tell them Da Bear says no terrorist attacks.

Da Bear

[7SeasLover]

Hi Bear!

 

I plan to go to the market. It's one of the highlights of my trip. We may go, however, with our private guide. A cousin of a co-worker. I suspect he'll take us to safe places. I don't think we'll venture out after dinner, but otherwise I think we'll be fine. Security is heightened.

 

Bear -- Del has not packed a thing nor is he even thinking about packing. I have gotten out two toiletry bags and started small organizing. All my clothes are rolled and stored in two small drawers ready to be transferred into luggage. Again, my groom of 36 years will pack the night before, which will again make me consider that divorce! (grin)

 

We also have a 7-day Mex Riv cruise on the Star coming up in October for my big "59"! Woohooo - I made it to 59 (grin).

[Rickdabear]

Hi Bear!

 

I plan to go to the market. It's one of the highlights of my trip. We may go, however, with our private guide. A cousin of a co-worker. I suspect he'll take us to safe places. I don't think we'll venture out after dinner, but otherwise I think we'll be fine. Security is heightened.

 

Bear -- Del has not packed a thing nor is he even thinking about packing. I have gotten out two toiletry bags and started small organizing. All my clothes are rolled and stored in two small drawers ready to be transferred into luggage. Again, my groom of 36 years will pack the night before, which will again make me consider that divorce! (grin)

 

We also have a 7-day Mex Riv cruise on the Star coming up in October for my big "59"! Woohooo - I made it to 59 (grin).

 

Deb and I are doing a TA in October for our 32 anniversary. Kick Del in the butt and tell him I said start packin'. It makes you happy to know he really wants to go. In case I forget, you know how I am, have a happy birthday on your Mexican Riviera cruise.

Da Bear

Da Bear