Security! My First Few Minutes in the Middle East – 2010

We left New York to start our adventure to Cairo.  We flew Royal Jordanian which is a very nice airline, like their slogan says it is the way you want to fly.  After an over night flight our first stop was Amman, Jordan where we boarded another airplane for a short flight to Cairo.

When we arrived in Jordan we had to go through security before we were able to board our next flight.  I was a bit rummy and tired from the long flight and it was a little intimidating to be in a foreign land where the people’s culture and language is so different. 

When we got to security I was the first person in our party to go through.  I thought I would just copy the guy in front of me so I would know what to do when it was my turn.  Big Mistake! 

Before I went on this trip I studied the culture a bit so I wouldn’t offend the locals.  I know, I am a big dumb American, no matter what I do I will offend the locals, but dammit I wanted to try to be as good of an American ambassador as I could be.  Before I left on this trip I was aware that in Muslim countries women are treated differently and it is taboo to show too much skin.  Knowing this I made sure to wear pants, a t-shirt and a jacket with sleeves while I traveled.  This is a great travel outfit because it doesn’t usually cause problems at security and I usually breeze right through. 

This is me on a previous trip in my "travel outfit". 

So it was my turn in the security line.  The security at this airport is fascinating to me because they do all the things I read about before my trip.  They watch body language and they are very observant of what is going on.  The security agents are all dressed like the Secret Service and they are mostly older, they are not TSA rent a cop types like we are blessed with in the U.S., these guys are the real deal and total professionals.  I saw the passenger in front of me put his stuff in the bin and send it through the X-ray machine, so I followed his lead and put my stuff the exact same way through the machine.  Then I noticed he took off his coat and put it through the machine.  So I started to unzip my coat, all the sudden the security guy starts yelling at me in Arabic. It sounded like La! La! La! La!  I had no idea what he is saying so I just stared at him.  Then I thought maybe he was telling me to take my coat off, so I started to unzip my jacket again.  He starts yelling louder at me so I stop.  He keeps yelling at me and I tell him I can’t understand and I ask if he speaks English.  He is still talking to me and giving me the go around sign, or the brush off, with his hand.  I still don’t understand, apparently I don’t speak Arabic or sign language so this guy is getting really irritated with me.  Finally I get that he is telling me to go back to the hallway behind us.

This model reminded me of the security guard except I think
she was wearing a light pink hijab.  The hijab refers to the
traditional head scarf and modest style worn by Muslim women.

So I enter the hallway to this designated security area.  This girl jumps out from behind the wall and gives me the security pat down.  She scared me half to death because I didn’t expect her.  She just jumped out and started frisking me.  This security guard was in her mid 20s or early 30s and dressed in a suit similar to what our Secret Service wear, the only different was she was also wearing a hijab (head scarf worn by Muslim women).  She was very professional but I don’t think she spoke English, or she didn’t want to speak English to me.  I was laughing so hard after she jumped out and scared me, I even asked her if she worked there while she was patting me down.  She finished my security check without saying a word to me and then pushed me through the next door which got me back out to the normal security.  After the experience I was laughing because it was just so funny to me, I had been in the country for five seconds and I had already pissed off the security agents. 

I was relieved to make it through my first encounter with security in the Middle East.  After my friends watched me go through security they had no problems, and they only laughed at me a little. 

I realized after it was all over that the guy was freaking out and yelling at me because he thought I was taking my clothes off when I was unzipping my jacket.  Men don’t interact with women at the security checkpoints there so women have a special room to walk through where no one can see them but the female security officers.  When you understand what you are supposed to do the security check is done in a more professional and respectful method in Jordan compared to the U.S.  Had we not had a language barrier and I had not been so out of it and tired from traveling I probably would have realized this before the guard had to yell at me for a few minutes.  All I heard was La La La La La La La La La Lal!!!  La la la la la lal!  I am going to pretend he was yelling “Welcome to Jordan, we love you western lady!”  Although I have the feeling it might have been the exact opposite of what he was really saying.

New York State of Mind

Last year during my “Year of Travel” my friends and I spent three nights in New York City on our way to Egypt and then one night there on our way back home to Reno.  Due to the limited time we had we decided we wanted to see as much as we could in the short amount of time we had.  It felt like I was a contestant on the Amazing Race TV show.  We raced everywhere and we saw as much as we could.  My friends walk incredibly fast so we were able to see the highlights of New York City in just a few days, and I may have burned a few calories racing around the city that never sleeps. 

These are a few of my favorite moments and observations from NYC.

Embassy Suite Hotel, New York City – This is one of the hotels we stayed at.  It was a lovely hotel.  We heard while we stayed there that they were going to remodel and open under another name.  I believe they will reopen in 2012 as Conrad New York.  I highly recommend this hotel because it had nice accommodations and the location was fantastic!  We were in the center of the Financial District and especially close to World Trade Center.

Central Park – We went to see Central Park one morning.  The boys went for a run and the girls just walked around and took pictures.  We were there towards the end of November.  The weather was perfect, around 60 degrees.  The leaves were still changing which made the park rather enchanting.  After exploring Central Park we tried to find the coffee house on Friends.  After a lot of walking and a quick google search on our iPhones we found out that Central Perk Café was a fictional café that was located in Greenwich Village on the show Friends.  We were so disappointed because we are big fans of that show and we were so excited to have coffee at Central Perk Café like our favorite characters on Friends.

Ron, Jason & Andy

Me & Shayna

Broadway – Amazing!  I had no idea what Broadway was about.  I thought it was a big theater that showed Broadway plays and musicals.  I had no idea that it consisted of several theaters with simultaneous shows.  Ron and Jason went to see Rain (the Beatles Tribute) while the rest of us went to see Wicked.  Wicked is a musical told from the witches of Oz perspective.  It was fantastic!  I can’t wait to see it again someday.

Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty – We took a morning tour of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.  It was humbling to see the landmark that stood as the gateway to America for so many people.  First we walked around the Statue of Liberty and walked up the stairs to the Observation Level.  The views were breathtaking.  After walking around and taking pictures we boarded the ferry for Ellis Island.  We were able to see the Main Building which is the Immigrations Museum and a little of the hospital.  I found it fascinating and humbling to hear stories of people immigrating to America.  It reminded me that the human spirit is strong and that we are a nation of immigrants.  They told us on the tour that over 100 million Americans can claim ancestors who came through Ellis Island. 

Rob, Shayna, Me & Bridget

Bridget & Me

Times Square & Comedy Show – Sunday night we went to Times Square and saw the All Star Comedy Show at the Times Square Arts Center.  There were 3 or 4 comedians.  They were all very funny, but my favorite told the jokes about how guys needed time to wake up and get going in the morning.  He advised us to always give our dads, brothers, husbands, boyfriends and friends time to wake up in the morning or at least 15 minutes to get used to being awake.  I took note and tried to let my vacation roommate be the one to say hi first every morning.  Sometimes it took half a day. J

Chris, Shayna, Bridget and Me in Times Square

Brooklyn Bridge – We walked over the Brooklyn Bridge in the middle of the night.  Bucket List – Check!

Empire State Building – We went into the Empire State Building but we didn’t go to the Observation Deck.  It cost $20 to go to the Observation Deck and I just think that is a rip-off for an elevator ride, so we passed.  We did go have drinks at a nice bar that had a lovely patio that overlooked the Empire State Building so that was a nice consolation prize. 

Hotel Carter – This is one of the worst hotels in the world, it is famous for being a bad hotel.  We found Hotel Carter, I believe near Times Square.  We had heard about this hotel and how bad it was from other people that had been to NYC and by travel websites.  So we decided to see what all the hubbub was about.  We entered the hotel and asked if we could see a room.  The clerk sent us up with a couple that wanted to see a room because they were interested in staying there.  We went up a few floors and then got off the elevator.  The hallways were dark and dingy.  We entered the hotel room and it was horrible!  There were holes in the walls, broken tiles and lots of rust in the bathrooms, and a weird stale smell.  As we left we went back to the elevator.  The doors wouldn’t shut and the elevator was stuck.  The clerk came into the elevator and proceeded to jump up and down, he told us this was how to get the elevator unstuck.  We high-tailed it at this point to the stairs, no need to experience an elevator accident on my first trip to New York.  We were pretty happy to have survived our encounter with Hotel Carter and it was everything we dreamed it would be and more.

We lived!  I took this picture once we reached the first floor.

Me, Bridget, Shayna & Chris

Wall Street, NYSE, Charging Bull – I was so excited to see Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange because I had always wondered where my money was going.  I thought the Financial District was really nice and of course while I was there I had day dreams of what it must be like to be a trader on the market and to live in such a high stake competitive world.  My favorite thing to do on Wall Street was to people watch.  I liked seeing all the traders because they were dressed exactly like the guys in the movies.  I swear I saw Gordon Gekko walking down the street.  I can see how people have gotten wrapped up in the “Greed is Good” mentality there because it was like its own island where everyone in the streets look wealthy, it isn’t like any other street in the world that I have seen.  The only thing I was sad about while visiting Wall Street was that I really wanted my picture with the Charging Bull.  The only way to get that picture would be to take it with me and a million other tourists so I passed.  Maybe next time I am in NYC I will get up before the sun and go take my picture before the tourists arrive.

Greenwich Village – We had so much fun taking pictures in the park and it was really neat to see the village that acts as a muse for so many musicians and artists.  It was rather quant and I can see why celebrities really like this area and want to own property here.  It is a nice little community.

Soho – Shopping!  We went shopping in Soho and walked by NYU School of Business.  The shopping was really fun.  I don’t think I bought a thing but it was really fun checking out the stores and all the Christmas displays that they were designing.

St. Paul’s Chapel & WTC Ground Zero – Our hotel was very close to Ground Zero and the memorial was still under construction.  We couldn’t see much but every time we walked by I felt it was hallowed ground and that I have a lot of respect for New Yorkers and what they had been through.  9/11 was a day that brought us all to our knees as Americans.  It has left a scar on my heart because it took away my innocence and left me a little less naïve about the world.  While we were in NYC we explored Ground Zero and we went to St. Paul’s Chapel.  Seeing the Chapel brought tears to my eyes but it also made me proud to be an American.  St. Paul’s Chapel has a long history. It was built in 1766 and was the location of George Washington’s first church service as President of the United States.  It has stood up to many tragedies including New York’s Great Fire of 1776 and September 11, 2001.  The church escaped both events with no damage.   After 9/11 St. Paul’s became a place of refuge.  Over 14,000 volunteers were given food, medical attention, space to rest and support in the church as they worked on the recovery effort after the Twin Towers fell.  Seeing St. Paul’s Chapel and Ground Zero is something I will never forget.  I hope to go back in a few years now that the memorial has opened.    

China Town – Best Dumplings Ever!  We tried both steamed and fried dumplings from this place that basically was the size of my closet.  It was a little takeout restaurant with no seating, just counter space.  I wish I knew the name because I would like to go there again someday.  All I remember is the restaurant was across from a school or playground of some sort and it had the best dumplings and pot stickers that I had ever had!  They were cheap and delicious! 

Little Italy – We went to a great dinner in Little Italy, again I have no idea what the restaurant was called but it was really good food.  A few of us ordered dinner “Family Style” so we were able to try a lot of different menu items.  I knew the food was going to be good when a few minutes after we arrive a few NYFD fire fighters stopped by with a fire truck to pick up dinner.  Those guys always know the best places to eat.  After eating way more than I should we realized we had a lot of food left.  So we got a to-go box and figured we would find a homeless person and give them the rest of our dinner.  You won’t believe this but I swear, we couldn’t find a homeless person that night.  We walked for hours and we never saw any homeless people.  In fact everywhere we went the streets were clean and there were no signs of homeless people anywhere.  I felt bad because I had to throw away the food.

Rockefeller Center – When we got back from Egypt and Jordan we had one night to stay in NYC.  So we stayed near Rockefeller Center.  We walked over to the center to see 30 Rock and the Christmas tree and ice skating ring.  I am not sure if it was because we were tired and cranky or if it was because we just saw Pyramids in Egypt but Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree was a little underwhelming and the ice skating ring looked tiny.  I couldn’t believe this is what I had been watching on the Today Show all these years.  The center was still beautiful and we enjoyed ourselves, but it just didn’t seem as big of a deal as it was on TV.

I had a great time and I really enjoyed New York.  The people were nice and the city was clean when we were there.  I hope to go back again someday!

 

A year ago today I was on my way to New York!

It is hard to believe, but a year ago I was on my way to New York City to kick off my Egypt / Jordan vacation adventure. 

We left Reno early in the morning on 11/20/2010.  I was so excited!  Our goal was to head to New York City and stay for a few days before we left for Egypt and Jordan.  On my way to the airport I picked up my friend Jason who was my vacation buddy / roommate.  Jason has been my friend since I was a Freshman in High School.  He is also my best friend’s older brother and one of the funniest guys I know.  There were ten of us traveling together on this vacation, me, Jason (Bridget's Brother), Bridget (my best friend), Andy (Bridget's Husband), Chris and Ron (Bridget's Folks) Rob and Shayna (our friends),  and Libby and Jeff (Rob's Folks).  As time goes by and I have gotten older I haven’t been able to spend as much time as I would like with my friends, so I was really excited to go on vacation with them and spend some quality time together. 

I am not sure Jason was as excited to spend quality time together as I was, especially at 5am on our departure day.  I had forgotten how Jason wasn’t really a morning person.  In high school when he picked me up for school sometimes he barely greeted me when I got in the car because he wasn’t a morning person.  This day refreshed my memory so I tried to give him time to warm up for the day, which was challenging for me since I am always excited to see my friends no matter what time of day it is.  My brother and I picked Jason up at 5am to head to the airport.  He was out front waiting for us and ready to get this vacation started but he wasn’t really smiling at 5am when we arrived. 

Things went pretty well at the airport as far as I can remember.  We met the rest of our friends at the front counter and didn’t have any problems checking our bags.  TSA didn’t frisk me or make me go through the naked scan line so I was pretty happy about that. 

We arrived in New York after a quick stop in Texas and a long day of travel.  When we got to New York I was a little overwhelmed for about five seconds, then I was in love with the place. 

New York was simply amazing to me.  I liked the people and the diversity of culture, experiences, and opportunities.  I felt like New York City was this amazing place where anything could happen, you could accomplish dreams and conquer the world, or you could lose everything.  The city was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced and I absolutely loved being there.  The excitement and the natural buzz of energy that makes New York great inspired me.

Diamond Club - Happy Hour!
Ron, Andy, Rob, Shayna, Me, Bridget, Chris and Jason

After we arrived in New York we checked into our hotel.  To save money we squished four of us into a room made for two.  It was cozy but we are all good enough friends that it wasn’t a problem to share a room with four of us. 

Because our friend Jason travels for work so much he is a member of the Hilton Honors Diamond Club.  Traveling for work all the time probably sucks, but being a Diamond Club member is awesome!  Because of Jason being such a frequent traveler we got all the benefits of the Diamond Club, including using some of his points to save us money on the hotel room.  Jason is the best vacation buddy ever!  But the best benefit from the Diamond Club was the happy hour with free drinks we received every night of our stay.  Free drinks in New York are hard to come by, hell affordable drinks in New York were rarely seen on this trip.  So we thoroughly enjoyed our Diamond Club benefit of free happy hour drinks every night we were there.  Jason was our MVP!

After happy hour at our hotel we decided to go explore the city a bit and have dinner.  We walked by Ground Zero for the first time which was still under construction.  We walked around the city and we found a nice Italian restaurant.

After a great dinner we walked around more and then headed back to the hotel to call it a night. 

I was so tired, but so excited to be in New York City!