Expert: Mohammed - 2/21/2006

Question
I'm currently writing a book about using travel as a way to learn. I'm trying to give concrete ideas about what to do rather than just travel and hope a little reading before hand is all you need. Though I've traveled in Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, it was long ago and my intentions were very different. I remember in Cairo everyone was very friendly but I never felt like I could just talk without someone trying to sell me something.

My question is how can someone traveling in a Middle Eastern country meet and talk to local people, feel safe, and be open? Especially, how women can meet women. What are safe subjects to talk about at first? Where can a traveler with no Arabic meet someone just to talk in an informal way? Does all this vary by country or city to countryside. I hope this not too vague.Thank you for volunteering to answer this.  

Answer
Hi,
The idea of your book is interesting. I wish you the good luck with it.

Your question is important, also it is important that a western man like you likes to talk to normal Arab people in Middle East, so he can understand those people and understand their aims and feelings, and what they need from the west.

The answer of your question:
It is always better to have one guide from each country you want to visit, you need to select him carefully, he should speak English very well so he can be your translator since most of people in this region don't speak English. He should be well educated also, university graduated.

Regarding women, most of them will not talk to a foreign man, so it is better to have one woman helping you in this mission.

Incase you visit United Arab Emirates -where I am staying now-, I will be happy to guide you or to find another good local guide for you.

Regards
Mohammed Hammoud