Protection.
I didn't want to talk about it when the group was here, but now that everyone but myself has returned to the States I figure I can mention it without worrying too many people. ;) One aspect of this trip that was interesting to me was the level of protection we "required" as an American group. Having been to Israel before I wasn't surprised by the kids packing guns wherever they went. And by kids I mean the majority of Israeli soldiers who, at 18-21, look even younger to me than they did on my last trip. ;)
That I was used to. However, when we crossed into Jordan and I saw a tank sitting in front of the American Embassy...well, I have to say it was a little sobering. I never felt ill-at-ease or unsafe, it was just interesting. Also surprising that we had to go through a metal detector to get into our hotel. Apparently there was a bombing there two years before, which my dad said made it the safest hotel in Amman now.
Egypt was a bit of a different story. Again, I never felt unsafe, but it was downright weird to have a man accompany us with a sub-machine gun hanging under his suit. We called him our personal Secret Service agent, complete with sunglasses. One time we were in an alley getting a lecture from our guide when a man approached us, I assumed to sell something. I watched our security guy cross the group and engage the guy in conversation, while shaking his hand and sort of dragging him away from the group. It was so smooth I really could have been watching the Secret Service!
There were loads of tourist police all over the place, always armed, but not looking...shall we say...completely 100% like they were paying attention. We went through metal detectors in Egypt as well, almost everywhere we went in fact. The thing was, they were either turned off or beeped for every person that went through with no negative consequences.
On the day excursion to Luxor we went to the Temple of HawChipSoo <totally spelled wrong!> which is where 60-some tourists were killed in the 90's. I never realized, but tourism is the #1 money-maker in Egypt. It took many years for the industry to recover after that attack and I think that's why they have such a visible police presence now.
I did find it really interesting that there were so many tourists in Egypt. Tons more than in Israel! It made me a little ticked actually -- people talk so much about being scared of their personal safety in Israel so they never visit, but they were running around Egypt no problem. In terms of the efficacy of security <and not just the show>, I think Americans are much safer in Israel.
I feel the need to reiterate that I never felt unsafe, but it gave me some interesting things to think about living that way, albeit briefly. I have much respect for Americans who live and work in those areas where they stick out like a sore thumb. When I lived in Korea I certainly stood out, but I never felt like there was the remotest possibility I could be targeted for my citizenship.
Traveling as I am now without the group, I find myself making different choices. There've been a few bombings recently and some alerts have been put out -- enough that I decided against taking a side excursion by myself. I very strongly believe in the sovereignty of God and that my days have already been numbered -- when it's my time to go it won't really matter where I'm at geographically. But it's a completely different lifestyle to have to think through the safety ramifications before you make daily decisions.
There's a very minor similarity in the RV lifestyle I'm currently living. I make sure I stay in safe places and put time into planning where I'm driving through and all that...but this is Bertha living on steroids!
