so what did you wear....

[Jenn! 918]

With 8 1/2 hours though I"m gonna be bored if I don't do anything. I think there are some stores there but I"m not sure if they're much of a bargain or not.

There are lots of stores in Heathrow!

But they are definitely not a bargain!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

We met when I was already there in Palestine, but if memory serves me right, I think the first time I saw him I was wearing a long brown skirt and light brown tunic top (3/4 sleeves) with a big brown belt, and brown strappy heeled sandals

I always do an overnight stop in Jordan when travelling to the West Bank, because the planes arrive so late that the border is already closed. So it's not like I hop off the flight and he's there waiting in the airport. But I just wear my regular clothes on the plane -- usually long skirt, boots or heels, long coat if it's winter. This is perfectably acceptible attire for Jordan and Palestine. I was ok on the plane with that (as comfortable as you CAN feel on a mega-long flight.) One time I wore baggy cargo pants (with heels of course ) -- that was also very comfortable, plus I could pack more stuff in all those pockets

I usually stay overnight in Amman in a hotel, so I get a shower and a change of clothes, even sometimes a bit of sleep in a real bed. Sometimes I spend a day or two in Amman, or sometimes I head straight for the border first thing in the morning. The first time I returned specifically to see Mahmoud, I wore a long black skirt, black boots, and a bright red top with faux black fur trim Along with my long black coat of course....

The trip from Amman to the border takes less than an hour -- for those travelling to Jordan, if you have the chance to do it, I strongly recommend it. It's an absolutely spectacular drive down from the mountains to the Dead Sea area, and you will pass through some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the world. It can take 2-3 hours to actually cross the border, depending on how many people and how fast border control on both sides feel like moving (a lot of this time is spent just sitting in the terminal, waiting for the special bus to take you across.)

Once through the Israeli border check, it's about 1 hour or so to Jerusalem, or anywhere from 3 to 8 hours to get to destinations in the West Bank, depending on the situation and which roads the Israelis have closed (of course this changes all the time -- drivers are constantly on their cell phones to get the latest updates.)

Again, the scenery is fantastic -- the Dead Sea area is quite tropical, with bananas and citrus fruits and hibiscus blooming everywhere. Then up you go into the rugged mountains that form the backbone of the West Bank. You will travel through miles of rock and dry wasteland that looks like an alien planet, then you start to see scenes right out of the Bible -- shepherds tending their sheep or even camels on the hillsides -- then terrace after terrace of olive groves, all neatly squared off with ancient stone walls, and finally the towns and cities, their buildings also made from light colored stone, clinging to the hills and reaching up into the sky. Ahhh Falasteen helwa...

-MK

[Henia 11]

Well Doodle I would guess you are leaving from the East coast, you are an East coaster no?...then arriving in either London, Frankfurt or Paris...so from the US to Europe I would just wear whatever is comfortable (jeans, t-shirts, sweater...it is quite cold by this time of year in Europe...like fall in the US into the 50s and 40s) then once in Europe you will probably have a long wait time there, so I would change about 1 hour before boarding your flight... FYI: in any airport in Europe it is VERY busy and crammed...so donnot try to be all fancy...fancy=uncomfortable... just wear something comfortable, loose and not constrictive)... be also ready that you will be walking alot in the airport and sitting on the floor...has been several a times when there was NO where to sit...and I was like waiting more then 6-8 hours... My return to the US I am grounded in Frankfurt for 16 hours..( of course I am going into the downtown for some shopping, eating lunch and sightseeing *LOL not much to see in Frankfurt, industrial city* but anyway not staying in the airport)..I fI were you I would see my flying schedule and plan according...if you need any help to plan, I am willing and able to help...I am profi flyer..I know most of the airport in Europe and the cities...so you need a place to stay, eat or just waste time...I can suggest some!

Also TRAVEL LIGHT !!!! Sucks to have to lugg around heavy baggage when you are waiting in transit for hours on end...esp when there is no where to sit....!!!!!

Bring with you a large purse or backpack for your personal items (no cremes, makeup like foundation, mascara, toothpaste,perfumes,sprays, drinking water,food,etc)...they made me throw all of my makeup away except for a small eye pencil. I luckily bought some makeup in Germany to doll myself up with. I would wear slip on shoes, as they make tale off your shoes in various checkpoints...wear also shoes (or bring some with you to slip on) it can be chilly in the airplane) Bring Euros (maybe 50) with you to buy some food when you are in transit...If you are bringing a laptop...put all the accessories in your checked luggage and just have the power cord in the case...and be ready to open and show it at every checkpoint..(remember: the laptop and laptop case go seperate bins...they will yell at you if donnot do this, esp in Europe

Donnot worry about communicating when in transit...most people know English in Europe...so no prob there. But I would suggest making yourself not looking so touristy when you get to Egypte...as I have found when I made myself not look so *touristy*... dressing very conservatively the airport security give me less hassles when traveling to NA... when I came to Algerie this time...they gave me NO probs at all...and many people told me to worry on this and that...actually they *helped* me, not hassled....

When I came 2months ago to Algerie...I left from Detroit to Frankfurt (12 hour wait in DE) wore comfy flowing long skirt,a tailoured blouse and some pretty simple black slip-ons.I felt comfortable and did not even need to change in DE. But did of *freshen* up before getting on the flight to Alger.

Anywho that is all I can suggest...comfortable, know the *not-to-brings, know and plan my transit, have cash on hand,travel light and have fun Doodle!

I just read you are traveling though Heathrow...Wow nice...if you like I could give some suggestions to waste those 8 hours in London!

[ya falaha! 0]

There is one shop in Heathrow that has a lot of cute British souvenirs and it's not very expensive. They have little stuff that's like 5 for 10 pounds or something like that. Great stuff for kids...pens, pencils, magnets, pins, etc. I forget the name of the shop but you'll know it when you see it and it's in the BA terminal.

The first time I went to Egypt I had a 14 hr layover in Frankfurt. Now that was brutal! Frankfurt is a nice, simple airport so I didn't have trouble getting around but I did have trouble finding somewhere to sit for 14 hrs. I ended up sleeping a couple hours on a marble slab cuz there were no empty seats.

Have you been through Heathrow before, doodle? It's a huge, confusing airport. I had a two hour layover and still almost missed my flight.

I've never been out of the US, so no. If it's too confusing trust me I won't do it, I'll just "freshen up" in the bathroom at the airport. With 8 1/2 hours though I"m gonna be bored if I don't do anything. I think there are some stores there but I"m not sure if they're much of a bargain or not.

As for the clothes...anyone have any sites I can go to to get cool looking track suits? I think that's the way I'm gonna go. He can just accept the fact that I've been traveling 19 hours and I'm not going to be in my Sunday best. I'm sure he won't care anyways.

I'm looking for a non-cotton track suit since the cotton ones I don't like and tend to wrinkle easily. I like some of the Addidas ones but they're all so plain looking...I wish they had like a floral design or something on them. Remember back in the day when they used to sell those nylon ones with all kinds of gaudy prints on them? I want something like that but not so gaudy.

Edited November 3, 2006 by moody

[honeyblonde 0]

I dressed in a suit coat and skirt and blouse and wore dress shoes and hose. I had a direct flight from New York.

I think I brushed my teeth and freshened up a bit in the bathroom in the Casa airport after the customs line. It was pretty hot in that line and it took over an hour, so if I had freshened up before it wouldn't have mattered. His sister was the first one to come and hug me, and he didn't really get a minute alone with me until we were walking to the car.

Abdel's sister, brother-in-law and 10 year old nephew came with him to get me and we had an 8 hour ride home in his cousin's car - no air conditioning. No matter how fresh I might have tried to be, it wasn't lasting long for sure.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

You don't have to bring foreign currency with you -- just use your ATM card, and your money will be dispensed in the local currency. Or you can use the currency exchange booth (you won't get the best rate, though.) Since your stop is in Heathrow, you'll be dealing in British pounds rather than Euros. Don't get more than you think you might need -- you lose out when exchanging back. All the stores and restaurants in the airport will accept most credit cards like Visa or Mastercard or American Express. (I would suggest taking one of each if you can, just in case. Now once you get to Egypt, some places may accept one and not the other, or you may have to use cash.)

I went through Heathrow once but my layover was not even 2 hours, so I didn't go outside the airport. It was undergoing a bit of construction at the time, and the elevators/escalators were not working. I had to lug my bags up the steps just to go to the bathroom. Also, Heathrow seemed kind of old and shabby, and the train between terminals took forever. However, I got to witness one of the funniest airport scenes I ever saw there -- it was in the security line, and there were a couple of Sikhs in front of me. When we came up to the front of the line, it was another Sikh who was the airport security guy -- he had the wand. It took everything in my power to keep from busting out laughing to see a guy in a turban wanding two other guys' turbans. Well it was funny to me. I know I am bad.

I have to say that I LOATHE, DETEST and ABHOR the Frankfurt airport and have vowed NEVER to go there again, no matter HOW enticing the airfare or the connection. They confiscated/stole my Palestinian flags and I will never EVER forget.

Schiphol in Amsterdam is not bad -- very clean and friendly with lots of stores, internet cafes, restaurants, even a museum ! But the layovers for Middle East connections seem to be hellishly long -- mine was 9 hours. You can take the train into the city if you want for a quick tour. Note -- they do not sell gum in the Schiphol airport -- it's against the law. I'm thinking -- you can get prostitutes, marijuana, hash and more perfectly legally only a few minutes away -- but NO GUM BUYING in the airport ! (You are permitted to chew gum that you bring from elsewhere.)

-MK

Edited November 3, 2006 by wife_of_mahmoud

[Ban Hammer 13,338]

I have to say that I LOATHE, DETEST and ABHOR the Frankfurt airport and have vowed NEVER to go there again, no matter HOW enticing the airfare or the connection. They confiscated/stole my Palestinian flags and I will never EVER forget.

are those illegal in germany?

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I have to say that I LOATHE, DETEST and ABHOR the Frankfurt airport and have vowed NEVER to go there again, no matter HOW enticing the airfare or the connection. They confiscated/stole my Palestinian flags and I will never EVER forget.

are those illegal in germany?

Nope.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I have to say that I LOATHE, DETEST and ABHOR the Frankfurt airport and have vowed NEVER to go there again, no matter HOW enticing the airfare or the connection. They confiscated/stole my Palestinian flags and I will never EVER forget.

are those illegal in germany?

Nope.

Then what was their reasoning? Or do they just not need any?

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Then what was their reasoning? Or do they just not need any?

I don't know what their reasoning was -- they didn't discuss the matter with me.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I don't know what their reasoning was -- they didn't discuss the matter with me.

And you didn't put them in their place? I'm stunned!

[Ban Hammer 13,338]

I don't know what their reasoning was -- they didn't discuss the matter with me.

And you didn't put them in their place? I'm stunned!

ditto

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I don't know what their reasoning was -- they didn't discuss the matter with me.

And you didn't put them in their place? I'm stunned!

ditto

They did not discuss it with me -- meaning they didn't even TELL me they were taking my flags. They were taken during the screening, out of my view, and nothing was said about it. I didn't know they had done it until I opened my bag, later.

[Veiled Princess 1]

They did not discuss it with me -- meaning they didn't even TELL me they were taking my flags. They were taken during the screening, out of my view, and nothing was said about it. I didn't know they had done it until I opened my bag, later.

Ah ha! Those b@$$stards!!!

[doodlebug 3]

so no one has a good place to get cute lil track suits?