Getting OUT of Egypt

ScottM

ScottM

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iBazinga!
If the WHO goes to level 6 the Egyptian government is threatening to close the airports.

Seriously!

A bunch of us are trying to plan our escape should that occur. It has been a long time since I have been in the Sinai. But I am thinking that I may have to head to Israel to get out should this occur. Not including Gaza, anyone know what the boarder situation from Egypt in Israel is these days?
 
No, but you may want to contact the American Consulate: U.S. Embassy Cairo - 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo, Egypt. Tel: [20] [2] 2797-3300

I am sure you are no alone and see what options they can offer. Good Luck!
 
CT Arrow said:
No, but you may want to contact the American Consulate: U.S. Embassy Cairo - 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo, Egypt. Tel: [20] [2] 2797-3300

I am sure you are no alone and see what options they can offer. Good Luck!
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In all of my international travels the local consulate or embassy has always been the last place you go for help. When out of the country you need to take initiative to get stuff done. The embassy are there to protect good relations not help people. Even when things go really south they are not much use. Looks like hiring a car is the easiest and cheapest ways to cross. I just am not sure what the current border environment is like.
 
Our experiences differ. I too believe that you need to be self sufficient but also need resources. They are simply another source for info. Good luck!

From the State Dept:
The Egyptian-Gaza border has been closed on a permanent basis since June 2007, and the Egyptian Government only re-opens the border temporarily for short periods of time. These re-openings are announced on short notice. Travelers who need to cross this border should contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo for more information on the current status of the border crossing. Travelers should also refer to the Travel Warning for Israel, West Bank and Gaza, which advises against traveling to Gaza. Official U. S. government travel to the areas of Rafah and Al Arish in the North Sinai is restricted.
 
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CT Arrow said:
Our experiences differ. I too believe that you need to be self sufficient but also need resources. They are simply another source for info. Good luck!
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Thanks Andy. I just have never gotten much help from the US embassy. I did get into a really good 'Free Elian Gonzalas' party at the Cuban Embassy in Beijing. Got several free drinks and was having a good time until finally someone noticed that I was not part of the Cuban diplomatic mission.
 
smigaldi said:
Thanks Andy. I just have never gotten much help from the US embassy. I did get into a really good 'Free Elian Gonzalas' party at the Cuban Embassy in Beijing. Got several free drinks and was having a good time until finally someone noticed that I was not part of the Cuban diplomatic mission.
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Too funny! There's just something wrong with a "Free Elian" party in PRC. Probably why it was held at the Cuban Embassy:rofl:

Now, light up the figurados!
 
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I'd get out while there's a chance....I doubt anyone would blame you. From what I've heard on the news, I don't think that driving across the border would be fun. Level 6 seems to have a 50/50 chance of happening. At least. Not the best odds.
 
CT Arrow said:
Our experiences differ. I too believe that you need to be self sufficient but also need resources. They are simply another source for info. Good luck!

From the State Dept:
The Egyptian-Gaza border has been closed on a permanent basis since June 2007, and the Egyptian Government only re-opens the border temporarily for short periods of time. These re-openings are announced on short notice. Travelers who need to cross this border should contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo for more information on the current status of the border crossing. Travelers should also refer to the Travel Warning for Israel, West Bank and Gaza, which advises against traveling to Gaza. Official U. S. government travel to the areas of Rafah and Al Arish in the North Sinai is restricted.
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I got great support frm the Embassy in New Delhi during the Rajkumar riots. Very relaxed security consul walked me through how bandh's work, what happens, and how to stay safe. Made it back to the hotel, they locked the gates, and we spent 3 days locked down. At least they had good food and a great bar!

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Better hoof it now Scott. Cairo has huge tracks free from any form of infrastructure. A flu infection could spread like wildfire, and quickly.
 
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If you have/use American Express, consider calling their Global Assist Hotline for advice. 1-800-333-AMEX (2639); it's a complimentary service on your card.
 
HA Scott I was going to ask how you felt about crawling through a tunnel into Gaza. I think but Alon can confirm that the border near Elait and Sharm El Sheik sees a lot of Israelies passing back and forth So it should be good for a yank as well.
 
AdamZ said:
HA Scott I was going to ask how you felt about crawling through a tunnel into Gaza. I think but Alon can confirm that the border near Elait and Sharm El Sheik sees a lot of Israelies passing back and forth So it should be good for a yank as well.
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Ya we were discussing that!! Since one of the guys is from Finland and is white as snow we figured we might have a hard time hiding him in the strip. :D:D

Sharm is pretty far south. I did PM Alon to see what he thought. We have an Egyptian government guy here he is the head of the telecom authority. I spoke with as did a couple of others. I mentioned that next week there is a very big meeting that several us have to be at in Ireland and it would be embarrassing if in our press releases we mentioned how it was poorly attended due to draconian travel measures put in place unilaterally by the government of Egypt.
 
smigaldi said:
I mentioned that next week there is a very big meeting that several us have to be at in Ireland and it would be embarrassing if in our press releases we mentioned how it was poorly attended due to draconian travel measures put in place unilaterally by the government of Egypt.
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That hasn't much bothered China in dealing with the Mexicans, now has it?

You need a "fixer". Groups like Control Risks that have a good K&R practice may be helpful.
 
Follow the really old guy with a long beard into the desert.
 
mikea said:
Follow the really old guy with a long beard into the desert.
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Yeah, at least you'll keep your feet dry!!:rofl:

Seriously, how about a boat to Jordan?>

http://www.touregypt.net/ferries.htm

More info:
Getting There by Water Main ports: Alexandria, Nuweiba, Port Said and Suez.

The Saudi Sea Transport Company runs a regular car ferry service between Suez and Jeddah. A ferry service usually travels twice per week up the Nile between Wadi Halfa (Sudan) and Egypt High Dam. However, it is occasionally suspended. For further information, contact the Nile Valley Association (tel: (2) 578 9256). There is also a ferry service that operates between South Sinai and Aqaba (Jordan). For more information, contact the Cairo Navigation Agency (tel: (2) 574 5755 or 575 5568).
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Seems like if you can get to the Red Sea, you can get to Saudi.
http://www.a-1hotels.com/eg/allaboutegypt/html/red_sea_ferries.html
 
astanley said:
I thought the Kingdom wouldn't allow you admission if you had Israeli stamps in your passport? Or was that Jordan/Syria?

Cheers,

-Andrew
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Details.

I assume Scott travels with a variety of passports and identities for just this kind of occasion. Maybe he should pose as a Bulgarian trade rep.....
 
astanley said:
I thought the Kingdom wouldn't allow you admission if you had Israeli stamps in your passport? Or was that Jordan/Syria?

Cheers,

-Andrew
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Jordan shouldn't be an issue as there are guide outfits offering tours of Petra with pickup at your hotel in Israel (select cities only). Syria, on the other hand...
 
I always went through Jordan to get to Israel from anywhere in the mid-east, but it's been a few years. Missus came home from Egypt in November, sick as a dog. Trip to ER followed by a week in the kidney ward due to dehydration. My advice is to GTFO ASAP and STFO UHFO. freezes over

Ghery said:
Jordan shouldn't be an issue as there are guide outfits offering tours of Petra with pickup at your hotel in Israel (select cities only). Syria, on the other hand...
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Ghery said:
Jordan shouldn't be an issue as there are guide outfits offering tours of Petra with pickup at your hotel in Israel (select cities only). Syria, on the other hand...
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I remember in a FCPA seminar I attended, one of the attendees had an extensive ME travel schedule and carried two passports -- one with his Israeli stamps, the other with his "other" ME stamps.

I just can't remember, for the life of me, which country it was that this was a particular problem with. Syria sounds right.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
I crossed the border about a dozen times by Gaza to go to Elat and Tel Aviv through the Taba gate. I know many tourists also make the crossing. I walked through the gate, showed the guards my paperwork and passport and of course talked to the nice Israel female guards. After being blown off we would spend the weekend in Elat. It didn't seem like too much of a problem. That was in 03 and things could have changed. I was part of the MFO monitoring the border and that also might have helped. I do know some tourist usually came through when we did. The whole process took about 45 min. I don't know your situation but maybe cross and hang out in Elat. If that don't work go down to Sharm el Shek...Good times will be had by all.
 
astanley said:
I thought the Kingdom wouldn't allow you admission if you had Israeli stamps in your passport? Or was that Jordan/Syria?

Cheers,

-Andrew
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I didn't have any problems. But then again I didn't get my passport stamped in Israel either. They stamped a piece of paper that I carried with my passport while in country.

I do have a second passport that is kept clean incase I need it for the Islamic countries.
 
When I visited Israel a few years ago they asked if I minded if they stamped my passport. My reply was that if a country got upset by an Israeli stamp, I had no desire to visit. I'll get another one in August.
 
Hi Scott

Did you get the PM I sent you yesterday ?

Perhaps the islamic countries are filtering Israeli messages as well...:)

All the best


Alon
 
Ghery said:
When I visited Israel a few years ago they asked if I minded if they stamped my passport. My reply was that if a country got upset by an Israeli stamp, I had no desire to visit. I'll get another one in August.
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The passport is one thing and your logbook is another. I have LLBG and one or two others in my logbook about 20 times. So no getting work in some parts of the world for me.

I was upfront with one operator in the mid east while getting the phone interview. It ended about 30 seconds after that. Though, I am told that at Emirates they steer around the question.

No big loss though. I would much rather fly to Israel than some of those other countries.
 
Armageddon Aviator said:
Hi Scott

Did you get the PM I sent you yesterday ?

Perhaps the islamic countries are filtering Israeli messages as well...:)

All the best


Alon
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Came through no problem. Thanks. I replied and will keep that plan and prep just in case. I am getting the feeling that the WHO is even backing off a little on their dire predictions. Our government contacts have indicated the Egypt is likely to take the lead from the WHO.
 
Ghery said:
When I visited Israel a few years ago they asked if I minded if they stamped my passport. My reply was that if a country got upset by an Israeli stamp, I had no desire to visit. I'll get another one in August.
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That is my feeling as well and I let Israel stamp away. When it comes to the ME I would rather be in Israel than anywhere else.
 
This is from the WHO
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders.
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Hopefully they will continue to say this and Egypt will listen.



But then the WHO has been saying this:
There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.
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Yet are killing the pigs here. We had some small riots again yesterday. The pig farmers are a small minority and I am really getting the feeling that the Egyptian government has been wanting to get rid of the operations for a while and is using this as an excuse.
 
smigaldi said:
But then the WHO has been saying this:Yet are killing the pigs here. We had some small riots again yesterday. The pig farmers are a small minority and I am really getting the feeling that the Egyptian government has been wanting to get rid of the operations for a while and is using this as an excuse.
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Mubarak is just pandering by striking another blow to the Coptics. My brother's best friend's parents fled Egypt in the 70's and started over here in the states. Both Coptics, they had some pretty scary stories...

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
Ask me about it at the Fly-B-Que. Needless to say, it was as good of an experience as one can have when the world around you is coming unglued.

Cheers,

-Andrew
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LOL! Oh I bet we can swap some stories....Look forward to it :)
 
There was a time when the Israeli visa was stamped onto a piece of paper that you inserted into the passport. Hence when you needed to go someplace else, there was no Israeli stamp in the passport.
Don't know if they still do that or not.
 
murphey said:
There was a time when the Israeli visa was stamped onto a piece of paper that you inserted into the passport. Hence when you needed to go someplace else, there was no Israeli stamp in the passport.
Don't know if they still do that or not.
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They do at one's request.
 
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