Airline asks passengers for fuel money

I know this is off target, but want to share some comedy in this forum with my fellow AA frequent fliers..

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/17/travel/syria-air-france-flight/index.html?c=business

I wonder how much safer Damascus is than Beirut. Although, if you're running out of gas, I don't suppose you have much choice.

Can't say either one is on my "to do" list.

Both are on mine.

Maybe it's nostalgia for black and white movies, but I'd love to be able to experience the Beirut that lived back then.

Well Beirut was once called the "Paris of the Middle East", and from what I hear is still a very beautiful and happening town in the right areas. I'd love to see it.

Damascus is considered to be the oldest city with continuous inhabitation (with some debate, as with most claims like this), so I'd love to visit and see the some of the history within the city and surrounding area.

Both are on mine, but no urgent priority. Fortunately I am not about to run out of reasonably safe places yet.

The only places in that part of the world that hold any interest to me are Egypt and Turkey. (and until Egypt gets things in order politically I'll just stay away from there also).

Interestingly, I have a friend who is currently living in Egypt. He's having a ball and celebrating Eid tonight. Not 100% sure I'd go to Egypt currently, I'm on the fence.

We loved our trip to Jordan a couple years ago. Our first visit to the region.

big +1

I'd also suggest Israel, fantastic trip.

Yes, it's likely the next destination in that region for us.

I've read someplace that one could have an issue visiting Islamic countries (for lack of a better term) after visiting Israel (having the stamp in the ole passport), does anyone know if this is true or urban myth?

^^^ should have read "Islamic countries". Hit return a bit to soon.

It's true. Some countries do bar entry when Israeli entry stamps are included in your passport. There are some ways around this though.

Just for future reference what countries? I assume Iran is one.

Also, is it like Cuba, where a piece of green paper with a dead president on it can prevent an entry stamp. (or so I've heard

No bribe required to avoid the Cuban passport stamp. You have to explicitly ask for one if you want one.

Supposedly Israel won't stamp your passport if to ask them to stamp a separate piece of paper.

I believe Saudi Arabia is one country that has problems with Israeli passport stamps.

Personally, even though I have no Israeli passport stamp in my passport (haven't visited yet) I have no plans to "work around it". I just won't go where I am not welcome.

http://igoogledisrael.com/2009/09/c...es-with-an-israeli-visa-stamp-in-my-passport/

we timed our trip to Israel w/in a couple years of our passports expiring, I know I didn't have a problem with an Israeli stamp when entering into Egypt or U.A.E.

I recently looked at the UAE visa requirements and noticed this blurb:

http://www.uae-embassy.org/visas-passports/us-citizens

"No visas are required for American citizens ( Holder of regular passports ) before arrival in the UAE and that includes US Citizens with visas or entry stamps from other countries in their passports but you need to be sure that you have the following"

Egypt and UAE are not countries that bar entrance based on visits to Israel though. The list isn't too big and is mostly countries many wouldn't considering stopping in to any way.

I'm glad you added the smiley. Otherwise those of us who frequently travel to Beirut would not have appreciated your response.

How confusing considering the comment you quoted wasn't referring to Beirut, particularly when you consider I actually defended Beirut as a destination above when someone said they'd never consider going there, and thus several others noted their interest in the city.

Not to mention I said "mostly". Beirut being a fabulous city doesn't change the fact that many traditional travelers wouldn't consider a stop in Lebanon. There are many worthwhile destinations that your average tourist wouldn't consider stepping foot on. That's not an evaluation on the value or worth of a destination.

So, yes, clearly I hate Beirut.

Agreed, despite the odd turn of this thread, I have to agree with this sentiment. Probably not just now, especially Damascus, but political strife is a temporary blip given the rich and wonderful history in both places (as well as many others I hope to see one day).

I'd certainly wait till things calmed down in Syria before considering a trip. I actually almost booked a ticket into BEY twice in the last year, but ended up in IST instead for one trip and ended up going to Asia for the other. BEY is definitely on my list of places to visit within in the next 2/3 years though!

I need to call a penalty on myself.....I got my Lebanon and Libya mixed up. Libya is the one I have no desire to visit but Lebanon does have some interest. 2 minute minor penalty for being stupid for me.