DES PLAINES — (In response to the article on Egypt; Jan. 11) Having returned on Dec. 22 from an 18-day Egypt/Israel Globus tour, I can testify to the safety of both countries for the traveler. When the Luxor “accident” occurred in November, I was anxious to cancel our trip and was disappointed that Globus was going ahead. (But) their decision was correct.
As your pictures depicted, armed guards were at all sites, the policeman on the back of the camel at the pyramids being the most picturesque.
The low tourist turnout worked to our advantage. I would highly recommend that tourists not be turned away by fear of terrorists. While I agree that the vendors in Egypt are overly aggressive, the friendliness of the beautiful Egyptian children who have replaced tourists at many sites made this trip memorable in many unexpected ways.
— Dr. Anna C. Kim
A QUESTION OF LIMITS
CHICAGO — As a firm believer in packing only as much as I can carry, I agreed generally with the precepts outlined in “Bring on the Limits” (Jan. 25), but I must take a small exception to (a luggage industry spokesperson’s) cavalier dictum “if you can’t lift your bag over your head and put it in a bin, you shouldn’t be carrying it.”
I am 5-foot-4 and can hoist my carry-on to full-arm’s length and still have it come short of the overhead bin — unless I swing it up. I try to be the first one on the plane and the last one off to allow room for this admittedly rather cowboy-looking stunt and to avoid accidentally hitting fellow passengers with flying luggage. But if that is not possible, I will not hesitate to ask some taller person for assistance.
–Mary Shen Barnidge
ANOTHER MIDEAST VIEW
LOMBARD — Regarding “Golden Glow” (on Israel’s 50th anniversary; March 8), you missed a few spots tourists — especially Americans — should see.
Tourists should visit the Palestinian area of Jerusalem where they can witness house demolitions. These houses have been home to generations — until they are thrown out to make room for Israelis. Sometimes, if they protest too much, they die in the process.
The Holocaust museum is a must, and it should be. (But) there is a village not too far away (Deir Yassin) where more than 250 innocent men, women and children were murdered by the Israelis. This is a must also.
Nearby Bethlehem attracts many visitors longing to view its holy sites. However, Christian Palestinian tour guides are not permitted to take them around. Many sacred shrines important to Christians happen to be in areas largely populated by Palestinians. Israeli guides omit them so visitors will not witness Israeli human rights violations up close.
— Jean L. Baker
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