Nimbus - I assume you have cancelled?
Jun 20th, 2009, 01:07 PM
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Nimbus - I assume you have cancelled?
Nimbus -
I assume you have cancelled the Iran portion of your trip? So very sorry it did not not work out...I hope you get a chance to see a less volatile Iran in the near future. I feel very lucky we went when we did.
I assume you have cancelled the Iran portion of your trip? So very sorry it did not not work out...I hope you get a chance to see a less volatile Iran in the near future. I feel very lucky we went when we did.
Jun 22nd, 2009, 06:06 AM
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Not yet, but I am close. I'm going crazy trying to decide what to do. My biggest concern is being accused of anything by the government given the heightened situation there. They seem to be arresting people right and left for nothing.
My travel agent of course is telling me everything is okay and the media is just blowing things out of proportion. Although, this appears to be more than a minor problem.
Would you go if you were in my position?
My travel agent of course is telling me everything is okay and the media is just blowing things out of proportion. Although, this appears to be more than a minor problem.
Would you go if you were in my position?
Jun 22nd, 2009, 06:39 AM
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Hi Nimbus,
Well, I'm probably not the right person to ask because I still harbor fantasies of having become a journalist instead of a corporate lawyer, so my thought process is skewed on this, but no, I don't think it's a good idea to go. I have on CNN in the background right now and the British embassy is evacuating family of personnel for security reasons.
I think what I would find most frightening as a tourist is the indiscriminate violence, particularly from the Basij who operate with impunity. I don't know if you have been following Roger Cohen, a NYT columnist who is still on the ground in Iran -- this was from his column today: "Teenagers, brainwashed from early childhood, they have been ferried into the capital in large numbers, given a club and a shield and a helmet and told to go to work."
I just think the possibility to be in the wrong place at the wrong time is rather high. It would be a shame to go and be holed up in your hotel room the entire time, unable to really go out and meet and talk to people.
Well, I'm probably not the right person to ask because I still harbor fantasies of having become a journalist instead of a corporate lawyer, so my thought process is skewed on this, but no, I don't think it's a good idea to go. I have on CNN in the background right now and the British embassy is evacuating family of personnel for security reasons.
I think what I would find most frightening as a tourist is the indiscriminate violence, particularly from the Basij who operate with impunity. I don't know if you have been following Roger Cohen, a NYT columnist who is still on the ground in Iran -- this was from his column today: "Teenagers, brainwashed from early childhood, they have been ferried into the capital in large numbers, given a club and a shield and a helmet and told to go to work."
I just think the possibility to be in the wrong place at the wrong time is rather high. It would be a shame to go and be holed up in your hotel room the entire time, unable to really go out and meet and talk to people.
Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:50 AM
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I agree. The biggest fear I have is being indiscriminately detained for being a "spy" or someone sent from the US to cause problems. When a regime is disintegrating like this, they start acting more irrational than ever.
I've gone through so much to do this and now I have to pull the plug! I'm still going to Turkey since the tickets have been bought.
My guide in Shiraz says that torus are going on fine with no problems. I don't think I believe her.
I've gone through so much to do this and now I have to pull the plug! I'm still going to Turkey since the tickets have been bought.
My guide in Shiraz says that torus are going on fine with no problems. I don't think I believe her.
Jun 22nd, 2009, 07:56 AM
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I know how disappointing this must be.
Well, I bet that it is possible to avoid the demonstrations, however, the situation seems to be changing day to day. The best part of my trip was being out and about talking to all the local people, and if you aren't going to (understandably) really be able to do that, then I think you are missing out on what - at least my family thought - was the best part of our trip.
I have a feeling you would be shuttled from mosque to museum to hotel, and not get to interact with anyone other than the people staying in your hotel.
Well, I bet that it is possible to avoid the demonstrations, however, the situation seems to be changing day to day. The best part of my trip was being out and about talking to all the local people, and if you aren't going to (understandably) really be able to do that, then I think you are missing out on what - at least my family thought - was the best part of our trip.
I have a feeling you would be shuttled from mosque to museum to hotel, and not get to interact with anyone other than the people staying in your hotel.
Jun 22nd, 2009, 08:46 AM
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I agree and then when I would have any interaction with the populaton, I would be worried that the police would think I was trying to incite them or encourage their demonstration, as I am from the west. I mean who knows in the present environment there.
I told the agent that I would try again in October. I want to go there so bad but this is just too crazy right now.
I told the agent that I would try again in October. I want to go there so bad but this is just too crazy right now.
Jun 22nd, 2009, 09:16 AM
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nimbus - unless you want to write a book about how you were mistreated in jail, accused of being something you are not (but couldn't prove it), have your heart skip a beat everytime you hear a knock on the door --- I would postpone this leg of your trip. There is a time for everything, this is not the time.
tC
tC
Jun 22nd, 2009, 10:17 AM
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Nimbus - If this is any consolation, at least in October - whatever happens - you will still be there at an insanely interesting time in Persian history! Have a great time in Turkey - I definitely think you made the right decision.
Jun 22nd, 2009, 11:10 AM
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Nimbus - I agree with Maxwell that you made the right decision. So sorry it worked out this way for you - I know how disappointed you must be, but delaying your visit is surely for the best.
FWIW - V.S. Naipaul wrote an interesting book with several chapters about his visits to Iran in 1979-1981, shortly following the Islamic Revolution. It's <i>Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey</i>, out of print but I've seen it around, mostly stores specializing in used books.
FWIW - V.S. Naipaul wrote an interesting book with several chapters about his visits to Iran in 1979-1981, shortly following the Islamic Revolution. It's <i>Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey</i>, out of print but I've seen it around, mostly stores specializing in used books.
)
Jun 29th, 2009, 06:33 AM
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Has anyone heard anything about conditions in Iran right now, especially for tourists? I canceled my June 26th trip due to the riots. However, I have a month and a half left on my visa's validity and I'm wanting to try this trip again this month subject to hotel availability.
Jun 29th, 2009, 07:39 AM
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Nimbus,
Have you check the thorn tree board on Lonely Planet? Maybe there are some people that are in Iran or just back from Iran that could give you a better idea.
I think there was a 3,000 person demonstration on Sunday that grew rather violent in Tehran, but with all the network news channels having turned into Michael Jackson tribute networks I haven't heard much.
I have been following the Tehran Bureau (http://tehranbureau.com/) - they seem to have some of the best information - it's run out of Massachusetts but has a lot of good sources in Iran. I wasn't online over the weekend though so am a few days behind on there.
Keep me posted - I'm obviously am very interested what you decide to do!
Have you check the thorn tree board on Lonely Planet? Maybe there are some people that are in Iran or just back from Iran that could give you a better idea.
I think there was a 3,000 person demonstration on Sunday that grew rather violent in Tehran, but with all the network news channels having turned into Michael Jackson tribute networks I haven't heard much.
I have been following the Tehran Bureau (http://tehranbureau.com/) - they seem to have some of the best information - it's run out of Massachusetts but has a lot of good sources in Iran. I wasn't online over the weekend though so am a few days behind on there.
Keep me posted - I'm obviously am very interested what you decide to do!
Jun 29th, 2009, 08:03 AM
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Thanks for the information. I have checked the Thorn tree blogs and didn't find any entries from those that just got back from Iran.
I'm going to Honduras for a couple days in August and they just had a coup. I swear I can't seem to win lately with trips. I was in Thailand during their coup last year, Zim during a government crack-down of opposition leaders 2 years ago, Uganda during an Ebola outbreak, Rwanda during DRC rebel fighting on the DRC/Rwanda border several years ago, etc. I guess when you travel to the places I travel to, this is bound to happen.
I'm planning my trip to Sri Lanka over labor day weekend. Hope things stay calm over there until I can go. Have you ever considered Sri Lanka? Very cheap.
I'm going to Honduras for a couple days in August and they just had a coup. I swear I can't seem to win lately with trips. I was in Thailand during their coup last year, Zim during a government crack-down of opposition leaders 2 years ago, Uganda during an Ebola outbreak, Rwanda during DRC rebel fighting on the DRC/Rwanda border several years ago, etc. I guess when you travel to the places I travel to, this is bound to happen.
I'm planning my trip to Sri Lanka over labor day weekend. Hope things stay calm over there until I can go. Have you ever considered Sri Lanka? Very cheap.
Jun 30th, 2009, 05:46 AM
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Nimbus,
A friend and I were just emailing about Honduras and that we'd like to be down there to see what exactly is going on. At least your visits coincide with interesting times in history!
Sri Lanka is on my list...although that is several years off. A friend of mine is likely moving to Abu Dhabi for work now so I am thinking that when I go see him after it cools off I will at least fly to Mumbai for a handful of days since I have never been anywhere in India and flights from Dubai to Mumbai are short and inexpensive.
A friend and I were just emailing about Honduras and that we'd like to be down there to see what exactly is going on. At least your visits coincide with interesting times in history!
Sri Lanka is on my list...although that is several years off. A friend of mine is likely moving to Abu Dhabi for work now so I am thinking that when I go see him after it cools off I will at least fly to Mumbai for a handful of days since I have never been anywhere in India and flights from Dubai to Mumbai are short and inexpensive.
Jun 30th, 2009, 08:51 AM
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You will like Abu Dhabi. I liked it far more than Dubai.
You have never been to India!!!?? You will love it and you will also be completely shocked by the filth. However, that's what makes it interesting. Such an in-your-face country full of a thousand contrasts. I would suggest paying a little more and seeing Agra (for the Taj) and Delhi.
By the way, my agent in Iran is looking into availability for a trip in July. I was thinking that I hate the thought of going through the visa process, wiring money to the agent for a deposit, etc. all over again if I wait until October.
The guide said that tours have been running and only one group postponed their plans in light of the situation. We'll see. I haven't back from her yet.
You have never been to India!!!?? You will love it and you will also be completely shocked by the filth. However, that's what makes it interesting. Such an in-your-face country full of a thousand contrasts. I would suggest paying a little more and seeing Agra (for the Taj) and Delhi.
By the way, my agent in Iran is looking into availability for a trip in July. I was thinking that I hate the thought of going through the visa process, wiring money to the agent for a deposit, etc. all over again if I wait until October.
The guide said that tours have been running and only one group postponed their plans in light of the situation. We'll see. I haven't back from her yet.
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