I have to recant. I would go to Dubai or Abu Dhabi in a heartbeat.

Been to Israel and Egypt. Sweet stuff over there.

I was in the region in 2005, it was awesome. Spent a summer in Syria, and visited Lebanon and Jordan. Loved every minute of it. There were never any problems with anyone or did I ever fear for my life. People never really guessed I was an American. As long as I blended in, wore jeans and a regular shirt, and did not look lost, no one guessed I was an American.

As long as I was speaking Arabic (at least attempting too), not sticking out, people were great.

I visited Damascus, Palmyria, Aleppo, the Golan Heights, Latika on the Med coast, Beirut, Ahman, and Petra (Think 3rd Indiana Jones where the grail was and Transformers 2)

I would like to see the region for its historical value but I would not go over waving my American flag and wearing a cowboy hat. I think Americans are targeted in parts if the Middle East, so NO I will not be going.

p.s. I don't own a cowboy hat.

mella;681075 wrote:I would like to see the region for its historical value but I would not go over waving my American flag and wearing a cowboy hat. I think Americans are targeted in parts if the Middle East, so NO I will not be going.

p.s. I don't own a cowboy hat.

I think if you wore a cowboy hat they'd give you a pass. They love westerns over there!

For what it is worth, most people assume, when i'm overseas, that i'm canadian, after hearing my "accent." Not sure why, but apparently those of us from the midwest don't sound very "american." So maybe you can pass yourself off as one of those if you need to.