Airfare to Israel/Jordan

[palilover 1]

hello/salam

Well, it's that time in the process now. I am pessimistic (unlike the people who lied to my husband) and know he won't be back before Ramadan. I want to visit him in the first 2 weeks of October or maybe the last week of September at the earliest. I will stay for maybe 2 eeks as I havve to come back to my job:(

Reluctantly I will travel to Israel as opposed to Jordan because I have been told that it is easier since I have an American passport and Jordan will just give me headaches. Plus I need a visa to go to Jordan and it is also said to be more expensive to go through Jordan (although maybe only by 1-200 dollars from my research so far). So Tel Aviv it is:(

Anyone have experience with this airport? Do they really go through your computers and ipods? (I'd be in trouble cuz I have a song called "Who Are The Terrorists" by DAM and I'm sure they would LOVE that song all about them occupyng Palistinian land, LOL) and do they actually boot up your computer and look at everything on it? (Do the IDF really have all that much time on their hands:) Anyways those are just things I've heard. But I've never been to this region of the world before so I don't really know what to expect beyond yeah, there will be checkpoints worse than current airport security.

But also does anyone recommend any places that sell decent airfare to the middle east? I've been online to sites such as expedia, travelocity, priceline, etc etc and called a local travel agency who specializes in middle easetern fares and cannot find anything for less than $1200:( Anyone know of anything?

Thanks

[me_4_musa 1]

Never have I had any problems with Jordan. You receive a one month visa upon arriving in Jordan (at least that’s what I was given). I found the round-trip rates to Amman and Tel Aviv to be approximately the same price. If you do decide to go through Jordan depending what time you arrive you might have to spend the night in Jordan and travel the following day to the Jordanian/Palestinian border. I wouldn’t worry about checkpoints, you’re the privileged, you have an American passport (at least I’m assuming you do), checkpoints shouldn’t be a problem for you. Airport security will be a headache.

I was warned on one of my trips to Palestine not fly into Tel Aviv because of the questioning when arriving and especially departing. I was stubborn and should of listened. Arriving was not as difficult as I thought it would be, I asked if they could please not stamp my passport and they still did which was frustrating. Doesn’t mean they will do this to you but usually if your traveling alone they will ask lots of questions. I was interrogated for 4 ½ hours when departing and escorted to the plane, they will ask you every question you can imagine regarding your trip and try to make you break. 4 ½ hours is nothing compared to others that were questioned before I was even questioned and still were interrogated even after they were finished with me (they too were traveling solo). Aside from interrogation they will check EVERYTHING , so if you decided to fly out of Ben Gurion don’t bother packing neatly, everything in your bag is going to be searched, clothes, undergarments, gifts, receipts, paperwork, camera, etc., etc., also I wouldn’t carry anything in your bags/luggage that shows any evidence that you have been into the occupied territories or that you are showing any kind of solidarity with Palestinians. Of course you always can, but that will lead to further questioning. When they finished with the questioning and checking your bags I thought it was finally all over…I was wrong. They directed me to a room and did body search with one of those metal detector wands. They told me to wait, then another person comes through and does the exact same thing. Again I was told to wait and the body search was done once more. All of the time I was worried that I was going to miss my flight and they told me not to worry that I would make it on time. Finally, someone will come and tell you they are finished and will escort your to the ticket counter for your boarding pass, escort you to passport control then escort you to the plane (of course all this when everyone is watching you being escorted) on the plane. Again I’m not saying all this will happen to you but usually does for those traveling alone.

I advise those that are traveling to Palestine or the Occupied Territories to travel through Jordan.

Whatever you do decide to do, I wish you the best of luck! Almost forgot I traveled last year also in October (through Jordan) and my ticket was $1085 airline Royal Jordanian. That’s the cheapest we have ever paid for a ticket!

Again best of luck!

[NYGirl 0]

I just traveled to Israel and that's because my fiance is from Israel. I had no problems when i arrived but when i was departing they did ask some of the personal questions but again, i stood in Israel. Maybe it is better for you to go through Jordan as me_4_musa stated. The prices to Israel are not that cheap and of course it depends where you are flying from.

[palilover 1]

Thanks everyone.

Ok, it's unanimous. Fly through Jordan it is:) While I do not necessarily complain about US checkpoints at airports (Ok I dont know what they are called but I always call them checkpoints, lol) because I know what Palistinians go through on a daily basis......I do not like them. So I know I will not like Tel Aviv airport. Especially I do not like that I have to hide that I married a Palistinian. I don't know why, but that makes me uncomfortable. If you married a guy, why hide that fact? Besides I'm sure I will take lots of pictures! ANd I don't want my pictures of my habibi confiscated when I'd be heading back home and leaving him there and pics are all I'd have of him. It would just make everything more emotionally hard I think when I got back.

I found cheap tickets today on orbitz that were around $1000. Cheaper than flying into tel aviv anyways. But unfortunately my husband does not know of his financial situation in a few months (no work in palestine) and he is dead set against me going to Palestine right now with the situation there. He said taht while most people do not hate Americans there, there are plenty who do and he is paranoid that I would get shot or he would have problems and get shot too. He said if the situation improves (I don't think it will), then I can come to palestine. But until then, he would rather wait out the visa process than risk both of our lives:(

But I weighed out the advantages on going to JOrdan. I'm more intrigued to see Jordan than Israel for one thing, lol But also if my husband can come to Jordan (to pick me up, or visit me there instead of me going to palistine) that is better cuz he would not be able to go to Israel. But since he is unsure if he will have the money (it costs him $700 from west bank to jordan!!!) he wants me to wait:(

So now I am so heart broken because I have been looking forward to seeing my husband and got too excited when I saw those plane tickets:(( ANd now my husband does not know that he broke my heart so much (even though since he worries for my safety, he has good intentions) But still........I wanna soak my keyboard in tears:(

Stupid immigration. Stupid war.

[melly 0]

Palilover, when was the last time you saw your husband?

[palilover 1]

Palilover, when was the last time you saw your husband?

He left a month and a half ago. (June 7 in fact). Yes I kno that others have been longer and I'm a beginner in this process. But personally speaking, there have been and are issues coming up since he's left with other people trying to break us up. (which in hindsight is why they wanted him to leave and gee, I wonder why they are so glad he left and heartless towards me now....cuz they think they are getting their way). By going to palestine, I was hoping to prove them all wrong and everything be ok. But now, the people (and even though I avoid them, they are neighbors so I cannot avoid them entirely as much as I would like to)....him telling me not to go wiill just give them more ammunition against him. What it is is culture drama that I really don't need right now but since the took advantage of the culture difference and now are taking advantage of the fact taht my husband is not here, it is making it all worse. That is why I want to see my husbnd above all because I hate that I have to go through this alone (and no, I'm not speaking about immigration....at least you know that going in) but to have people try to break you up and be against him and his family is another story.......

[a1angied 0]

I am very sadden to hear that you are going through the drama and pray that Gods Will not others will is what will be done. Faith and Prayer are the only ways to get through everything so stay strong and pray alot.

[me_4_musa 1]

Especially I do not like that I have to hide that I married a Palistinian. I don't know why, but that makes me uncomfortable. If you married a guy, why hide that fact? Besides I'm sure I will take lots of pictures! ANd I don't want my pictures of my habibi confiscated when I'd be heading back home and leaving him there and pics are all I'd have of him.

I hate to be the burden of bad news but you still will be questioned when entering via the Jordanian/Palestinian border crossing. Israel officials will still asks questions especially if they suspect your planning on visiting the occupied territories.

[palilover 1]

yeah true. You are going to have to go through Israeli checkpoints no matter where you go. It's just which one is more painless to go through that counts in this case.

[unique love 0]

hello/salam

Well, it's that time in the process now. I am pessimistic (unlike the people who lied to my husband) and know he won't be back before Ramadan. I want to visit him in the first 2 weeks of October or maybe the last week of September at the earliest. I will stay for maybe 2 eeks as I havve to come back to my job:(

Reluctantly I will travel to Israel as opposed to Jordan because I have been told that it is easier since I have an American passport and Jordan will just give me headaches. Plus I need a visa to go to Jordan and it is also said to be more expensive to go through Jordan (although maybe only by 1-200 dollars from my research so far). So Tel Aviv it is:(

Anyone have experience with this airport? Do they really go through your computers and ipods? (I'd be in trouble cuz I have a song called "Who Are The Terrorists" by DAM and I'm sure they would LOVE that song all about them occupyng Palistinian land, LOL) and do they actually boot up your computer and look at everything on it? (Do the IDF really have all that much time on their hands:) Anyways those are just things I've heard. But I've never been to this region of the world before so I don't really know what to expect beyond yeah, there will be checkpoints worse than current airport security.

But also does anyone recommend any places that sell decent airfare to the middle east? I've been online to sites such as expedia, travelocity, priceline, etc etc and called a local travel agency who specializes in middle easetern fares and cannot find anything for less than $1200:( Anyone know of anything?

Thanks

BE CAREFUL

BE CAREFUL

I feel your pain, But please don't waste a year like I did. This is my story,

I also was with a man from jordan I am muslim smart attractive funny. I loved him and thought he loved me. I waited for him for almost five years during that time I sent him money took care of his family when he came ect...

You name it I did it. I look Arab I speak Arabic and I cook Arabic I took on the role of being the perfect Arab wife.

I been around the culture my whole life trust me when I tell you this I did nothing wrong.

I went to see him every year his family loved me everyone treated me with respect and kindness inviting me for dinner going shopping with me ect...

We I thought where in love. He alwasy told me how much he loved me and I was his everything.

Behind my back last year I found out he got engaged to another women in his country!

When I first heard of it I thought the person telling me was jealouse of me because she is not happy wiht his brother so I thought our relationship made her jealouse.

When I comfronted him I was laughing and told him what she said.

And that is when I found out it was true! I could not beleive it! And even after I found out he said "I was his love blah blah blah"

I hung out even after that thinking maybe his family put presure on him ect...

Well he just had his wedding and I did nothing but feel misserable for almost a year thinking it was not true because he continued to lead me on making me think that he was not going to go through with it.

I am telling you those men from Jordan will lye cheat steal anything to come to the USA. And the sooner you realize it the faster you will be able to move on!

I have a hard head and I could not believe someone would use me like that. I also thought I am very attractive smart have a little money know the culture religion why would he not want me??????

But it is true they marry thier own kind no matter what and if they do stay with an american women it is because papers then the kids come and they are very loyal to thier children.

I was married before to a Palestinian that is how I know so much about the culture we had 3 children together whom I raised muslim and when I ended up divorced he was on a plane ASAP going back home to marry a women from over there.

Let me put you in the head of a middle eastern man

They are raised in an enviroment (remember I lived over seas for two years) watching the fatther go off to work all day long and left alone with the mother (Arab women have a hate for american women just like some black women do for white women because they feel like we take thier men) So the kids are at home being raised by women who dislike american women then they are raised seeing the mother never leave the home not even to shop. In thier country women do not leave the home unless she is older or escorted by a man. And most men do not want to escort their women out because they don't want to have a problem with other men.

The men are raised that women are below them and women are here to serve thier needs.

Now this will raise eyebrows but I am telling you this is a true statement (remember I am muslim) But the islam they practice in the middle east is to thier likeing.

They think of american women as slutty and they will date have fun with us but when it comes to staying married long term(unless you get knocked up when he is trying to get his papers) they want to marry thier own kind.

When they marry thier own kind they know the women will take care of them cook clean ect...and never complain.

They then have affairs because they look at the wife like the virgin marry who is the mother of thier kids so it is kind of hard for them to be sexually wild with the mother of thier kids.

If you look at the culture unless your blind you will see most Arab men secretly have affairs but will never leave thier wife.

Because they know 100% thier wife will never leave them it is thier culture and if she does her family will not accept it she will be an outcast.

The Arab women will cook clean take care of his mother bare his kids carry heavy thing and never complain!

She is bread like that. I know I live thier thier husband is thier life they are not a real women unless they are married.

And the women know if they do not do what they should he will take another wife.

They dont like american women because we dont listen.

If you want to go back to him start kissing his butt and he will take you back.

In the Holy Quran GOD promissing them virgins in heaven that is the ultimate heavan so what do you think then they want on earth???

Trust me when I tell you this I am telling you because I have a very very big heart and I hurt and had pain for almost a year living in a fantasy and it took me a real long time to get it in my head that this man used me.

The last words I had with him I was crying and told him I heard he was getting married this summer and he said yes his whole family was there for the party, laughing eating having a good time and then he said could he call me later?

I said no I want you to be happy good bye.

And that was that after five years of my life of doing nothing but giving and doing.

It made me sick to know that his family whom I did everything for and acted to me like I was so special behind my back was finding him a wife.

It made me sick to know that all his sisters and mother where dancing at his wedding and everyone laughing having a good time why I was hurt and crying.

This culture is monster have no feeling for man kind. I am not the only one that this has happen too. I just thought I was specail because I was muslim and I looked Arab but I am telling you the family will pretend to like you just to get what they can.

Thier whole purpose in life is to come to america! I lived in the middle east I was all over the middle east they are very very poor culture imagine you live in poverty where you are living 10 people in a house no one making decent money you will lye cheat steal to get what you want.

I beleive his plan was to marry her come here live with me and us work here make good money so he can support his family there.

I know a few Arab men(remember I been around the culture 20 years) that are married in thier country and living here in america with an american women that has no clue!

When the american women goes back home they send the wife to her mothers house!

The Arab women does not care because she is convinced her husband loves her and using the american girl.

Arab women are bread from little on to STAND BY YOUR MAN! They will never question him they are just happy to have someone take care of them.

I have arab friends now that are men and they tell me even though they are married when they go back home the mother is begging them to marry another one.

The women themself beleive they are not worthy they are convinced that they are nothing without the husband and they will do anything in thier power to keep him happy including letting him marry another women.

When I was over sea's my sister inlaw had 3 kids she went home one day and found a young girl in her home her husband married and told her to bad deal with it.

She left but ended up living in a very poor situation with her father and mother who where old so she ended up going back and accepting it.

When this happen all the women in the family where extra nice to thier husbands for fear it was going to happen to them.

PLEASE REMEMBER don't try to think like them they think different we marry for love they marry to reproduce!

Thier love thier life is not a women it is thier kids!

And they marry a women for her to bare kids and take and raise them to be good muslims.

If you go back to the middle east you will see the men have tons of male friends women are not thier friends we are just to bare kids.

They hang out all day with other males go home at night eat have another baby and then go back to work and to hang out with the guys.

Once a week they will stay home relax and family members will come to visit.

Think about it when ever you see an arab man here in this country he is with his friends and if he is with a women she is walking with the kids and he is rushing her through a shopping mall ect...

You will never seee them holding hands walking hugging. It is a rare thing and if you do you better beleive they are young or just got married.

I feel bad for you but I wrote all this in hopes that I help you because I was stupid and I really thought that he loved me.

I cannot beleive that another human being could use you but they can they are not like us american people have compasion for life.

God will protect you and will give justice you will be ok.

GOD BLESS YOU!

this was not intended to offend you I am trying to help I wish someone would have told me instead everyone did not want to hurt me so they kept telling me he loves me but is confused. In the end that only hurt more because I lost allot of good oppurtunities waiting for him.

GOD BLESS AND IF YOU NEED TO TALK SHOOT ME AN EMAIL