Rick: I just read about your trip in the paper. I wish you well, and it's all very nice; yet the article reveals that it's all very controlled as well. I can't respond to your trip without noting that, among other things, I personally would not be allowed in Saudi Arabia because A. I'm Jewish and B. I have an Israeli stamp in my passport. I've always had the greatest respect for you; I hope that in spite of your saudi "minders' you'll be able to gain some independent insights.
Yippee! I'm convinced that you'll be open to all sorts of new experiences. Thanksgiving at your home was wonderful; you were present in your poem/writing and in our prayers. Today, on page A4 of the Detroit Free Press, we read about yours and Bill's trip. God Bless you.
Hi Ricky (that's what we called you back in the 80s!), Tom and Ida would be very proud of you. I forwarded the "Free Press" article to our kids and other locals. Have a wonderful time. We look forward to hearing of your experiences. Mike Poterala (the elder)
Rick: Great article about you and the trip in this morning's Freep. Hope all continues to go well for you during the rest of the trip. I am interested in hearing your insights when you return. Paul Scarcello (aka ... "Mr. S")
Thank you very much, David, for your thoughtful post.
I am extremely conscious of the Arab-Israeli conflict on this trip and intend to ask pointed questions when and where appropriate in order to determine what average Saudis and people in positions of power think about the issue. I just heard on Saudi news tonight (it's 8 hours ahead of Detroit time here) that the Arabs are preparing for the meeting next week in Annapolis, MD as an opportunity to begin the peace process again.
There are Jewish teachers on this trip who have obvious Jewish surnames and they cleared customs without incident. I don't know whether anyone with an Israeli stamp can enter the KSA, but I will find out and post the reply.
When I was in Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt in 1989 I was able to travel freely. While my itinerary is indeed limited to the agenda set for us by Aramco on this trip, I have been able and encouraged to ask sensitive questions of my hosts relating to challenging issues such as womens' rights, human rights, Islam's influence in the world, the events of 9/11, and of course the relationship with Israel.
I certainly look forward to continuing the dialogue and gleaning new insights. I will dutifully report my findings on this blog, and I look forward to sharing additional insights through my trip presentations when I return.
i dont know if you have been to Saudi Arabia before, but if not was it at all like you pictured it to be? I ask this because usually when you go somewhere new it is either above or below your standards. i remember once i went swimming with the dolphins and it was way above my standards, i didnt think they were going to let us do fun tricks with them, well we did 3 tricks! i hope it is above your standards like the dolphins!
I have just recently read a article about your journy in the newspaper. I can't wait to know what is going to happen next. And if you could meet any person in Saudi Arabia. Who would it be? And why would you want to meet that person?
12 comments:
Rick:
I just read about your trip in the paper.
I wish you well, and it's all very nice; yet the article reveals that it's all very controlled as well.
I can't respond to your trip without noting that, among other things, I personally would not be allowed in Saudi Arabia because A. I'm Jewish and B. I have an Israeli stamp in my passport.
I've always had the greatest respect for you; I hope that in spite of your saudi "minders' you'll be able to gain some independent insights.
yours
David Eisenstein
Dear Mr.J
I have one question for you how long does it take to fly to Saudia Arabia? PLEASE ANSWER
From: Aj kajy, wallington
Yippee!
I'm convinced that you'll be open to all sorts of new experiences.
Thanksgiving at your home was wonderful; you were present in your poem/writing and in our prayers. Today, on page A4 of the Detroit Free Press, we read about yours and Bill's trip.
God Bless you.
Rick Seefelt
Hi Ricky (that's what we called you back in the 80s!),
Tom and Ida would be very proud of you. I forwarded the "Free Press" article to our kids and other locals. Have a wonderful time. We look forward to hearing of your experiences.
Mike Poterala (the elder)
What do you mean by everything was most well? Did something go wrong? I hope your trip continues to go good. Happy Thanksgiving!
Rick: Great article about you and the trip in this morning's Freep. Hope all continues to go well for you during the rest of the trip. I am interested in hearing your insights when you return.
Paul Scarcello (aka ... "Mr. S")
How does it look there! Is it awesome? I am so happy for you! Have you met any new people there?
In response to Dr. Eisenstein's comment:
Thank you very much, David, for your thoughtful post.
I am extremely conscious of the Arab-Israeli conflict on this trip and intend to ask pointed questions when and where appropriate in order to determine what average Saudis and people in positions of power think about the issue. I just heard on Saudi news tonight (it's 8 hours ahead of Detroit time here) that the Arabs are preparing for the meeting next week in Annapolis, MD as an opportunity to begin the peace process again.
There are Jewish teachers on this trip who have obvious Jewish surnames and they cleared customs without incident. I don't know whether anyone with an Israeli stamp can enter the KSA, but I will find out and post the reply.
When I was in Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt in 1989 I was able to travel freely. While my itinerary is indeed limited to the agenda set for us by Aramco on this trip, I have been able and encouraged to ask sensitive questions of my hosts relating to challenging issues such as womens' rights, human rights, Islam's influence in the world, the events of 9/11, and of course the relationship with Israel.
I certainly look forward to continuing the dialogue and gleaning new insights. I will dutifully report my findings on this blog, and I look forward to sharing additional insights through my trip presentations when I return.
Mr. Joseph,
i dont know if you have been to Saudi Arabia before, but if not was it at all like you pictured it to be?
I ask this because usually when you go somewhere new it is either above or below your standards. i remember once i went swimming with the dolphins and it was way above my standards, i didnt think they were going to let us do fun tricks with them, well we did 3 tricks! i hope it is above your standards like the dolphins!
~Katie Powell
Dear Mr.Jo
Did you still have thankgiving there? If you did what foods did you eat? If you did what did you do?
Hope you have a good time there.
Deer Mr.Joeseph,
I have just recently read a article about your journy in the newspaper. I can't wait to know what is going to happen next. And if you could meet any person in Saudi Arabia. Who would it be? And why would you want to meet that person?
It turns out that a teacher in our group was recently in Israel and had an entry stamp in his passport.
When he submitted his passport to the Saudi consulate for a visa, he had no problem receiving one and entering the country.
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