Shortly after the Camp David Accord, the naval ship I was on went to Alexandria and anchored there. We were the first American military "ambassadors" sent there. I recall being surprised at how well we were received. The Egyptian crowd waited for us as the liberty boats came in.....and I remember there were hundreds of them all cheering as they greeted us. It was celebrity status treatment like nothing I ever experienced before. My fellow shipmates and I hooked up with a taxi driver, who took us all around Alexandria. In essence, he became our tour guide, who refused our attempts to pay him. He did all of this at no charge. He was thankful for the Americans ending the war and making peace. He even brought us to his home for dinner and to meet all his family.
That's a far cry from today. In fact, it seems like a story told from another universe. Notwithstanding, all of it is true. Today, I'd have an overwhelming anxiety if I traveled there today due to the much impugned and maligned perception Americans have today in foreign countries. All I can say is that it's a real shame.
Arabs used to have this concept of "the right of guests" - as an outsider you would always be protected and receive hospitality. Egypt actually isn't strictly an Arab country but they do have an aspect of those traditions.
Read Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E Lawrence or A Soldier with the Arabs by Lt. General Sir John Glubb about what it was like being a white man in Arabia before Israhell or early on in the disaster it has brought down on the middle east. Today? In some parts of Arabia you would be safe to very safe depending on your nationality. Some parts? You might not last long. Generally you would be safer as a Brit or an Australian than an American.
Also many Arabs will ask your faith - normally first asking if you are Muslim, no obviously. Second they will ask if you are Christian. Generally a good idea to say yes to this even if you are an agnostic or atheist because if you say no they might assume you are Jewish which in some places would be bad.
During the great war the British had a concept for setting up a single Arab dominion or confederation across the middle east likely ruled by king Faisal or Abdullah and protected by an Arab army with British officers and NCO's. The Balfour declaration and Sykes-Picot destroyed all that currency. There are parts of the middle east like Jordan or Oman that have prospered under wise leadership.
For many years, I came across information claiming Islam was invented to confront early sects of Christianity that competed with the holy Roman church. My interests were piqued, but I never got around investigating it. Not too long ago, I came across an astounding video called, "The Islamic Connection - Origins of Islam" by Dr. Walter Veith. In scintillating detail he provides how Islam came about. Prior to Islam Christianity was widespread in Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and throughout much of the Middle East. Mohammad's wife was a Catholic Christian and without her wealth and influence, Mohammad would have never gotten out of the gates. The Koran itself, it's development, and publication is purported as being funded by the Vatican . Again, here's the link.
Shortly after the Camp David Accord, the naval ship I was on went to Alexandria and anchored there. We were the first American military "ambassadors" sent there. I recall being surprised at how well we were received. The Egyptian crowd waited for us as the liberty boats came in.....and I remember there were hundreds of them all cheering as they greeted us. It was celebrity status treatment like nothing I ever experienced before. My fellow shipmates and I hooked up with a taxi driver, who took us all around Alexandria. In essence, he became our tour guide, who refused our attempts to pay him. He did all of this at no charge. He was thankful for the Americans ending the war and making peace. He even brought us to his home for dinner and to meet all his family.
That's a far cry from today. In fact, it seems like a story told from another universe. Notwithstanding, all of it is true. Today, I'd have an overwhelming anxiety if I traveled there today due to the much impugned and maligned perception Americans have today in foreign countries. All I can say is that it's a real shame.
Arabs used to have this concept of "the right of guests" - as an outsider you would always be protected and receive hospitality. Egypt actually isn't strictly an Arab country but they do have an aspect of those traditions.
Read Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E Lawrence or A Soldier with the Arabs by Lt. General Sir John Glubb about what it was like being a white man in Arabia before Israhell or early on in the disaster it has brought down on the middle east. Today? In some parts of Arabia you would be safe to very safe depending on your nationality. Some parts? You might not last long. Generally you would be safer as a Brit or an Australian than an American.
Also many Arabs will ask your faith - normally first asking if you are Muslim, no obviously. Second they will ask if you are Christian. Generally a good idea to say yes to this even if you are an agnostic or atheist because if you say no they might assume you are Jewish which in some places would be bad.
During the great war the British had a concept for setting up a single Arab dominion or confederation across the middle east likely ruled by king Faisal or Abdullah and protected by an Arab army with British officers and NCO's. The Balfour declaration and Sykes-Picot destroyed all that currency. There are parts of the middle east like Jordan or Oman that have prospered under wise leadership.
For many years, I came across information claiming Islam was invented to confront early sects of Christianity that competed with the holy Roman church. My interests were piqued, but I never got around investigating it. Not too long ago, I came across an astounding video called, "The Islamic Connection - Origins of Islam" by Dr. Walter Veith. In scintillating detail he provides how Islam came about. Prior to Islam Christianity was widespread in Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and throughout much of the Middle East. Mohammad's wife was a Catholic Christian and without her wealth and influence, Mohammad would have never gotten out of the gates. The Koran itself, it's development, and publication is purported as being funded by the Vatican . Again, here's the link.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6Ik15IrqR8