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AIBU?

AIBU to ask if you'd travel to Egypt?

82 replies

TokenGinger · 03/07/2015 13:49

Following the devastating events in Tunisia last week, what would your thoughts be on travelling to Egypt? I was actually in Tunisia at the resort where it happened five days prior to the attack, so it feels a little too close to home!

A few people have said I'm being silly to change my plans to go to Egypt in December based on this, however, my dad has pleaded for me to stay away from Muslim countries for the time being. The people who have said I'm being silly say that, they're clearly targeting tourist hotspots - it could happen just as easily in Tenerife as it could in a Muslim country. But from what I know, isn't there something to do with the borders being in Libya open to certain countries that allow it to be easier?

OP posts:

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DamnBamboo · 03/07/2015 13:59

With this current state of affairs, I would not go, no.
Might be different in December and it might be an overreaction, but I could live with that.
Besides the FCO says this

MuzunguMusings · 03/07/2015 14:00

I wouldn't go.

MrsLecter · 03/07/2015 14:03

Not a chance

nigelslaterfan · 03/07/2015 14:08

Nor me.

pasturesgreen · 03/07/2015 14:10

I had plans to go hiking in Jordan earlier in the year and I cancelled in light of the current international situation.

There's no way I'd be travelling to North Africa and the Middle East just now, it's just a risk I don't feel comfortable taking and I really don't think it's worth it anyway.

And pre-IS and Syrian war I've travelled extensively around the Middle East on my own, so it's not as though I'm only comfortable doing more domestic destinations.

TokenGinger · 03/07/2015 14:10

DamnBamboo - how terrible! Thank you for the link.

I'm amazed at how many people in RL think I'm being silly by not going! Fools.

OP posts:

Varya · 03/07/2015 14:10

Never wanted to visit Egypt.

SeeChooJimmy · 03/07/2015 14:15

not a chance, in all honesty I would feel on edge anywhere now except Uk or USA which is why we only holiday in us, probably a massive over reaction on my part mind you they can strike anywhere.

MsMcWoodle · 03/07/2015 14:17

Not now. Wish I'd gone years ago but don't want to 'be vigilant' on holiday.
Think we should all go to Greece though!

Pagalee · 03/07/2015 14:19

No. And I have been quite an intrepid traveller over the years, would LOVE to see the pyramids etc.

For me, any country where tourists are highly visible and terrorists lurk is a no-no right now. If I were child-free and going to visit friends or for work, maybe. But not on a family package to Sharm or a tourist tour to see the pyramids etc.

I live in London, so of course there is a risk of being caught up in an attack here too, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with being a tourist in Egypt in the current climate.

Fairylea · 03/07/2015 14:20

Not a chance in hell.

nigelslaterfan · 03/07/2015 14:20

I agree, there was a time that going to Egypt seemed as safe as going to Greece. But now, the world is a different place and the fragmentation of loyalties is so complex.

I just feel as a Westerner, really very acutely responsible for part of this crisis. Our geopolitical behaviour has created this violent opposition, its violence growing out of individuals who are enraged at how we judge them while failing to look at how we have behaved in this region and sold arms to the people that are shooting at us effectively.

Read this on how ISIS was born in the Bucca prison in Southern Iraq.
www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/11/-sp-isis-the-inside-story

I think Tony Blair and the supine MPs who supported his war against Irag should all have "We had no exit strategy" tattooed on their foreheads.
And Why did we think we could ride roughshod over this whole region for generations and get no feedback at all?

ConfusedInBath · 03/07/2015 14:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Theknacktoflying · 03/07/2015 14:31

No, I wouldn't - there is a risk going anywhere but I wouldn't take a risk esp. with children

DisappointedOne · 03/07/2015 14:34

My husband is there now. Flew out on Saturday.

DisappointedOne · 03/07/2015 14:35

(We were in London on 7/7/05. We choose not to fuel terrorism with fear.)

jendot2 · 03/07/2015 14:37

We are going in October to Sharm.

That said we were in Sousse in May!

Maybe I am not good at choosing holiday destinations.

I live in London....I reckon every morning my husband gets on a tube train he is in far more danger of being involved in a terrorist attack than we will be on holiday!

Pagalee · 03/07/2015 14:39

Thats the thing...I don't fancy a police convoy from the airport to my five star luxury resort, which is what friends who were in Sharm earlier in the year had.

It just feels totally wrong.

Getting on the tube to go to work, even when there is a risk, is totally different in my opinion.

GogoGobo · 03/07/2015 14:40

We've booked to go in October half term but I am about to cancel.....we will lose our ££ for flights but will be so on edge it's not worth going.....

OldBeanbagz · 03/07/2015 14:41

Despite being in Tunisia, Turkey & Jordan last year, I probably wouldn't go to any of those countries, Egypt or North Africa right now. Not because i fear for my own life, I'd be more worried for my children.

FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson · 03/07/2015 14:42

Disappointed I too was in London on 7/7. On the tube in fact. Obviously not one of the ones targeted, but on the central line as the bombs went off nevertheless. I grew up as an Army child in Germany at a time when the IRA were targeting forces members and their families in Germany. I too choose not to fuel terrorism with fear. I am not afraid. However I will also not place myself or my family at unnecessary risk. Travelling to Egypt would be a risky thing to do in my opinion and therefore I will not do it. I personally will not be holidaying or travelling to North Africa or the Middle East any time soon. There are places to travel and experience where you are limiting the risk and likelihood of a terrorist event - Egypt is not one of them.

GogoGobo · 03/07/2015 14:42

Good for you disappointed
I think there's a huge difference between carry on with normal everyday life and choosing to jet into a highly volatile situation.

DisappointedOne · 03/07/2015 14:44

DamnBamboo - how terrible! Thank you for the link.

I'm amazed at how many people in RL think I'm being silly by not going! Fools.

The tourist areas of Egypt are green on that link. What exactly do you think is "terrible"?!

Janeymoo50 · 03/07/2015 14:49

I wouldn't go anywhere where the country concerned is an "enemy" as such, of Islamic State. Seeing those coffins coming back into Brize Norton is simply hearbreaking. I'd stick to Europe...(I work in the travel industry, Croatia is very nice by the way).

DisappointedOne · 03/07/2015 14:49

Depends on your definition of volatile, I guess.

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