Visiting Cairo

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

So I'm supposed to fly over Weds. afternoon and I'm having second thoughts. The trip was planned well in advance, but with the current state of affairs, I'm considering postponing. I wanted to know if any of you have paid a recent visit to Cairo (in the last couple of weeks) or live there. Can you tell me how you felt, safety wise? Thanks all!

[NY_BX 397]

So I'm supposed to fly over Weds. afternoon and I'm having second thoughts. The trip was planned well in advance, but with the current state of affairs, I'm considering postponing. I wanted to know if any of you have paid a recent visit to Cairo (in the last couple of weeks) or live there. Can you tell me how you felt, safety wise? Thanks all!

I went 3 tmies this year; 2 during the revolt. March 29 and November 25. November was when they started the OWS-like camping/ protest at Tahrir. I had no problems at all. That said, the main issue is the "no-americans-allowed-in-the-embassy" policy. If something does happen, then, how are you getting in? I assume that for emergencies you will be allowed in. If I was you, I'd call the embassy and register your travel at the STEP program: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_4789.html

Safe travels!

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

I was also there 3 times last year. March, June and September/October. I didn't really feel unsafe at all, stayed in a "safe" part of town and just kept a low profile. Will definitely register with the embassy.

Thanks so much for the reply and good luck! I keep up with things as much as possible here, wishing you all the best with your fiance when he arrives.

[together4evr 360]

I was in egypt from jan 13 till 28. Interview cairo 19th. Stayed in cairo 18, 19, and 27th and no problems. We avoided tahir square

[True Love at Last 15]

I was in Cairo December 25 to the 31st and I went to Tahrir Square and had no problems. Im headed back in the next 2 weeks also. You should be fine. Just be sure and always register with the Embassy. Safe Travels !

[zawgyosama 0]

they are saying on the news here that if you go to egypt then you can't be allowed back out of egypt . so i can't really say if it's ok to go or not . talk to the embassy to be reassured that you will be allowed to go back home . good luck !!!! to all that travel and be safe always !!!!!!!

[meno-is-mine 37]

After the revolution last year, my hubby told me there weren't much dangers to worry about. However, a few days ago was the first time he's ever expressed worry and stressed how truly dangerous it's become over there especially the thugging on roadways. He knows of someone that was stopped on some road along with his wife and daughter in the car with him except he didn't stop the car when threatened to do so. According to my husband they chased after his vehicle, shooting at it and the man driving was somehow shot in the leg but kept going until he lost them finally and then made his way to a hospital.

I don't mean to freak you out but I do believe it is dangerous so be careful. Seems like criminals will do anything to you if they suspect you have something they want. I urge any Americans to take heed seriously. You'll seem like an easy target. Please be careful. My family was planning a trip for the summer but my Dad cancelled it until things start looking up. We watch Egypt news on Dish and the things we see are unimaginable. You won't see these kinds of things on American news channels for sure. My warning to all is to be very careful.

[True Love at Last 15]

Im really surprised to hear that you would be allowed in to the country but not allowed out of the country. I will have to ask my fiance tonight.I was planning on traveling the week of the 17th :-( I really hope things settle down so I can go. I miss him dearly. InshaAllah !

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

It depends on what you feel is safe and what part you are heading to.

There is ongoing unrest in Tahrir Square, continued demonstrations, arrests and release of AUC students by government officials, a crumbling security apparatus, the massacre in Port Said at the soccer stadium, the kidnapping and release of 25 Chinese workers in Egypt a week ago and the recent kidnapping and release of two Americans and their tour guide by Bedouin tribesmen in Sinai, and the recent investigations by the governments and charges against 19 American NGO's who have been barred from leaving Egypt for helping pro-democracy supporters. From reports I've read they are also planning to charge 25 others. Tensions between Egypt and the US are escalating.

Obviously American's are targets in Egypt right now by a couple of different interests and by going there one is taking a risk. My Egyptian BIL and SIL flew their family back to Egypt last November after being in the States for the last two years working on a PhD. Guess what they just flew back to the States this last week. They are lucky their visas are still good for awhile longer. Egypt is their home and they prefer to be there but it's changed since they've been gone and become more dangerous for the everyday Egyptian. We're not sure what they are going to do now.

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

Thank you all for your replies. I usually stay in a secure flat in Zamalek and don't venture out when things are this tense. I realize that people there are desperate and that any foreigners (especially Americans right now) are seen as targets by many. I know it's very dangerous in some places at some times, I'm just wondering if I can relatively safely manage a 10 day trip. There's no real way to know for sure, I suppose. Anything could happen. Hm. Postponement might be in order.

[shayy17 3]

Thank you all for your replies. I usually stay in a secure flat in Zamalek and don't venture out when things are this tense. I realize that people there are desperate and that any foreigners (especially Americans right now) are seen as targets by many. I know it's very dangerous in some places at some times, I'm just wondering if I can relatively safely manage a 10 day trip. There's no real way to know for sure, I suppose. Anything could happen. Hm. Postponement might be in order.

I'm currently staying in Egypt and while there are incidents most of them are in areas "outside of Cairo" (I mean on the way to 6 October, Tagamo3 il khamis, maybe even tourist areas etc) You should be fine within Cairo (Zamalek, Mohandiseen, Madiynit nasr etc are all fine, avoiding downtown obviously)

[True Love :) 0]

Good morning every one( my name is TAREK and i life in Cairo ) i was in tahrer and zamalik and many places in the last 2 days for work and i see( many many foreign people) stay on the coffee in many places in the streets and no police there and they chatting and feel save.

THE PROBLEM IS :

there's a CASE now for many foreign ( not only Americans )they spend more than 400,000,000 $ in the last year and they didn't know why they spend this money, and where this money now,and one of them is the son of important man in US GOV

( it's money laundry case )cos of that they didn't allow him to travel back to USA .

cos his name in the curt now.

so they make media war now against EGYPT and they try to hide the true and try to make fake problems.

we don't hate Americans and we don't hate any one, and we never attack any foreign cos we have many Americans work in petroleum company's here and the army himself have many many American experts ( i was work with one of them ).

we are not Afghanistan,

pls NOTE :

1- NO ONE CAN STOP YOU TO GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY( only if YOU have a case in the curt in Egypt ).

2- when you go to Cairo make sure you stay away of urban areas.

3- don't go to the Tahreer area before you see the TV first.

4- DON'T GO OUT IN THE NIGHT TO ANY WARE SPECIALLY IF YOU RIDE A GOOD CAR.( GO HOME BEFORE 12 AM ).

5- KEEP YOU SELF AWAY OF THE OUT AREA OF CAIRO LIKE ( 6 OF OCTOBER, ELTAGAMOO ELKHAMES ).

6- I RECOMMEND TO STAY IN NASR CITY OR ANY AREA IN EAST OF CAIRO( NEAR FROM THE AIR PORT ANYWAY AND SAVE ).

SORRY TO TALK TO MUCH AND I HOPE YOU SPENT A GOOD TIME IN CAIRO

GOOD LUCK AND DON'T WORRY CAIRO IS SAVE COS IT'S HAVE A VERY GOOD PEOPLE THERE

[together4evr 360]

http://egypt.usembassy.gov/consular/travpubl.html

KEEP YOURSELF INFORMED WITH THIS SITE THAT GIVES US EMERGENCY MESSAGES FROM EMBASSY. ALSO WHEN YOU REGISE ONLINE YOU CAN GIVE OUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR PHONE SO THEY CAN GIVE YOU WARNINGS OR UPDATES.

BE SAFE

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens No. 3: Alert About Continued Demonstrations February 2nd, 2012

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens No. 3: Alert About Continued Demonstrations - February 2, 2012

February 2, 2012

This emergency message is to alert U.S. citizens that on February 1, 2012 a soccer match in Port Said turned violent resulting in the death of over seventy people. Due to this incident a soccer match in Cairo was cancelled. In protest fans set fire to the stadium at that venue. A special session of Parliament is scheduled today to discuss these events. The high level of emotion over these occurrences, coupled with already planned demonstrations in the downtown area, have elevated concerns over the likelihood of street clashes and significant traffic congestion. Many of these groups may pass near the U.S. Embassy in Garden City toward the People’s Assembly building. U.S. citizens who do not live or work near downtown should avoid the area.

Additionally, as calls for protest are continuing through the weekend, US citizens who do not live and work near downtown are advised to avoid Tahrir Square and the surrounding areas. One of the teams involved in the Port Said match was a Zamalek club team. As their headquarters are located in Zamalek on Gabriel Street (near the Opera House) there is a possibility of large gatherings today and through the weekend in this area as well.

U.S. citizens should elevate their overall level of attentiveness, particularly to large gatherings, and should monitor local news broadcasts for updated information about locations of possible demonstrations. U.S. citizens visiting Cairo should seek information from their hotel or tour guide in planning their activities. Even demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. The Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens to avoid areas where large crowds are assembling.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to review their personal security plans and remain alert to their surroundings at all times in Egypt. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Egypt, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts, including the current Travel Alert for Egypt, can be found. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy Cairo through the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens may call the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit at 2797-2301 during business hours, Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard at 2797-3300. The Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America Street), Garden City, Cairo.

Emergency Message

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens No. 4: Increased incidents of carjacking

February 7, 2012

The Embassy has received reports from contacts in the business and diplomatic community of carjackings occurring in the greater Cairo area. While the majority of these carjackings generally occur during late night/early morning hours, an attack can happen anywhere at any time. In some cases it appears certain models of vehicle (newer SUVs) are specifically targeted and ultimately ransomed back to the owner. One recent example took place along the Cairo-Suez Road linking Carrefour and Zahraa Al-Maadi in eastern Cairo. This particular incident occurred in the afternoon and involved armed individuals stopping the SUV, extracting the passengers, and driving away with the stolen vehicle.

The Embassy would like to take this opportunity to remind Americans of the appropriate response in the unlikely event that you are involved in a situation similar to the one noted above.

Most carjackings occur for the sole purpose of taking the car; it is a crime without a political agenda and does not specifically target Americans. You can protect yourself by becoming familiar with the methods, ruses, and locations commonly used by carjackers. Recent incidents suggest the best response to ensure personal safety is compliance and turning over the vehicle immediately.

Avoiding Attacks

The first step to avoiding an attack is to stay alert at all times and be aware of your environment. The most likely places for a carjacking are high crime areas, lesser traveled roads (rural areas), intersections where you must stop, isolated parking lots, residential driveways and gates, and traffic jams or congested areas.

While it is impossible to avoid these situations completely, we advise Americans to take steps to prevent an attack. Keep your doors locked and windows up. In traffic, look around for possible avenues of escape. Keep at least a half a car length between you and the next vehicle so you can maneuver easily. When stopped, use your rear and side view mirrors to stay aware of your surroundings.

Attackers may use a ruse to control a victim. In order to draw the victim out of the vehicle, carjackers may bump the victim in traffic or stage an accident at the side of the road. Alternatively, carjackers may follow the victim home and block the car in the driveway as you wait for the gate to open.

If you are bumped from behind or if someone tries to alert you to a problem with your vehicle, pull over only when you reach a safe public place. If you see an accident, it may be safer to report it to emergency responders than stopping to assist yourself. When you are driving home, call ahead to have the gate opened. Otherwise, wait on the street until the gate is open before stopping somewhere you could be easily trapped. In all cases keep your cell phone with you and immediately alert someone regarding your situation.

During an Attack

In most carjacking situations, the attackers are interested only in the vehicle. Stay calm and do not stare at the attacker (this may appear aggressive). There are two options during an attack: non-confrontational behavior and resistive behavior.

In the non-confrontational situation, you would give up the vehicle freely. Do nothing that could be interpreted as a counter-attack and advise the attacker of any actions you take in advance. Make sure the attacker knows if children are present in the car.

In a resistive response, you would try to escape or attack the carjacker. Before doing so, consider the situation as a whole. Your reaction should be based on the type of attack, the environment, the number of attackers and their mental state, and the presence of weapons or children. In most instances, it is probably safest to give up your vehicle.

After an Attack

After an attack, go to a safe place before contacting someone to report the incident. When you are reporting the incident, describe the event noting the time of day, the location, the method, and the actors involved. Describe the attacker(s) noting height, weight, scars or other marks, hair and eye color, and facial hair. Describe the attacker’s vehicle noting the license number, color, make, model, and year, as well as any marks (scratches, dents, damage) and personal decorations (stickers, colored wheels). The golden rule for descriptions is to give only that information you absolutely remember. If you are not sure, don’t guess!

Conclusion

Avoidance is the best way to prevent an attack. Use your judgment to evaluate the situation and possible reactions. Know safe areas to go to in an emergency. Always carry your cell phone and keep emergency numbers up to date in the phone. To report an emergency or call for help in Egypt, dial 122. Non-confrontation and compliance is generally the best response. The objective is safety and survival. Please share this and all Emergency Messages with family and U.S. citizens in your community.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to review their personal security plans and remain alert to their surroundings at all times in Egypt. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Egypt, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts, including the current Travel Alert for Egypt, can be found. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and enroll with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy Cairo through the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens may call the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit at 2797-2301 during business hours, Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard at 2797-3300. The Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America Street), Garden City, Cairo.

[NY_BX 397]

I read all of this and frankly, I still believe Tahrir Square is safer than Detroit or Brooklyn. That said, concentrate in the legal issues: if you're not allowed to get out or even get into the US embassy, that's a big problem. Good luck and safe travels!

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

I'm leaving in about 6 hours. Will let you all know how it goes. I will be allowed into the embassy if there's an emergency, won't be staying too far from there. I registered with STEP. If things are ugly, I'll head to the embassy and high tail it out of there.