IAP Political Forum

Has anyone ever been to Palestine or Iran? The word is.. my archealogy class will be taking a trip over to Palestine in the next few weeks. And from there we will (hopefully) be given permission by the Iranian government to enter the country to start a dig. Just wondered if anyone has ever been there and could give me a few tips?

Are you a female? As I'm sure you know, Iran is very sexually repressed and you'll have to wear coverings from head to toe and can't walk by yourself or drive or do anything like that.
I was on a long overland trip. The group drove through Iran from west to east. Me and the other American had to overfly the country and meet the group again in Quetta, Pakistan. They all loved  Esfahan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esfahan)--it was the highlight of the trip. 

Yes I am female. We've been instructed about some of the customs. We're supposed to get some more information on this. Apparently archeaologists and students in this field (women) are somewhat exempt from the dress code while working a dig. But you're right about having to cover up if walking through town. I am excited and just a little nervous about going. I hope we get permission to enter the country because so little of its ancient history is known to the outside world. It was explained to our dept. that armed guards would be escorting us to and from the sites of interest. (I wondered if this was normal practice). Thanks for the information..appreciate it!

I have never been to either of those but I have been to the UAE, Suadi, Qatar and Kuwait when I was in the USN.

UAE was bizarre but also my favorite.If I was court ordered to have to live in the Middle East i would choose there. We ported in Abu Dahbi and Dubai both and it was like two different planets. Like going from Downtown LA to the deep south in like 50 miles. Thing I liked best about Dubai was the food,,,,fantastic food.

Tell me more!! How was it bizarre..in what way? :)