taking out-of-the-country vacations

[Anotherkiwi]

True, my bad.

Sorry Kiwi's....

Apology accepted! 

It wouldn't be quite so bad if there was a Ukraine Embassy in New Zealand, but the nearest is in Canberra.  Fine for Australians, but I'm a bit loath to send my passport overseas to get a visa.  Luckily I'm entitled to a British Passport as well, so I used that for the Ukraine part of my trip, with no problems.

[ECOCKS]

Wow, who would have ever dreamed this would happen in Egypt?

Foreign governments, businesses begin evacuations from Egypt

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/30/egypt.evacuations/index.html?hpt=T2

Quite the little adventure vacation, tanks in the streets, no Internet, Embassy shut down, protesters, rioters, tear gas, water cannons, whoooo boy!! Next year, Yemen!

[Jumper]

Yemen?,, sure as long as the flight doesn't originate or transfer  through Moscow..

yes the middle east is unstable . no shocker there.


Considering just how popular Egypt is as a vacation destination for Russians ,it would be interesting how many where effected currently there.

[Gator]

Considering just how popular Egypt is as a vacation destination for Russians ,it would be interesting how many where effected currently there.

I imagine the Red Sea is too far from the political activity to be widely affected.  However, some of the extreme Muslim Brothers may attempt to ambush a few Westerners to make a statement.

Wow, who would have ever dreamed this would happen in Egypt?

Foreign governments, businesses begin evacuations from Egypt

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/30/egypt.evacuations/index.html?hpt=T2

Quite the little adventure vacation, tanks in the streets, no Internet, Embassy shut down, protesters, rioters, tear gas, water cannons, whoooo boy!! Next year, Yemen!

These demonstrations can escalate into uprisings and worse.   I was working for the UN in Iran just before the Shah was overthrown.  I left when "they" bombed the bank near my flat.  Some friends with the Dutch embassy stayed until the bitter end, and evacuated with just their clothes on their back (did not have time to retrieve family photos, wedding silver, etc.).  Although Egypt's per capita income is low, it is more civilized and sophisticated than Iran, so the transition should be less dramatic.  However, in these days and in that region anything can happen.

[Boethius]

Although Egypt's per capita income is low, it is more civilized and sophisticated than Iran, so the transition should be less dramatic.  However, in these days and in that region anything can happen.

Do you mean because Egypt's government is secular rather than Islamic?

I'm a little surprised at that comment.  I've never visited either, but I know more than a few businessmen who have, and they have all said Iranians are remarkably well educated, well read, and sophisticated. Granted, these foreigners are usually in the large cities, but I assume that would be the case in Egypt, as well.  

Interestingly, while Egyptian corruption is well known, almost all those I know who've done business in Iran say the mullahs are incredibly corrupt.  Any big dollar investment will usually end up in the hands of the mullahs.

A different perspective (albeit from a comedy show) (available only in the U.S. - sorry, it won't embed) -


http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-23-2009/jason-jones--behind-the-veil---ayatollah-you-so?xrs=share_copy

The background, which is also interesting -

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEDi-pMoA7M[/youtube]

[ECOCKS]

Bonding experiences for you and your GF/wife midst adversity and challenge:

Food staples starting to run out in Egypt

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/30/egypt.protests.food/index.html?hpt=T2

[Gator]

I'm a little surprised at that comment.

Iran's record speaks for itself.  Any government that would condone taking an embassy hostage, deny existence of gays, etc.

When I worked in Iran, I found it incredulous that people admired the best liars. 
 

Do you mean because Egypt's government is secular rather than Islamic?

Egypt has a significant (10%) Christian minority (Coptic orthodox).  So did Iran at one time (Armenians).  Topday, Egypt is more moderate than Iran, although not to the point of tolerating apostasy.

I've never visited either, but I know more than a few businessmen who have, and they have all said Iranians are remarkably well educated, well read, and sophisticated. Granted, these foreigners are usually in the large cities, but I assume that would be the case in Egypt, as well. 

I worked in Iran but visited Egypt because my boss was there.   The top 5% of Iranians perhaps are better educated than the top 5% of Egypt.  Yet, the difference is not great. 

Walking around the streets and encountering the average citizen,   Iran seemed like the Wild West, and Egypt was somehow keeping its dignity even though poorer than church mice.  True story to illustrate:  A British UN consultant came to Teheran to study the traffic problems.  He measured road widths, traffic volume,   traffic controls, etc.  His conclusion:  there would be no traffic jams if Iranians obeyed the traffic laws. (e. g., stop at red lights)

Interestingly, while Egyptian corruption is well known, almost all those I know who've done business in Iran say the mullahs are incredibly corrupt.  Any big dollar investment will usually end up in the hands of the mullahs.

Corruption was just as big during the Shah's era.  A popular joke of the time:

An Iranian official was reviewing three bids for construction of a bridge.  British company bid one million tomans.  When asked why so high, the Brit admitted to wanting to buy a sailboat.

The French company bid two million.  "Why so much?"   The Frenchman replied that he had a beautiful yet  expensive mistress and would procure a mistress  for the Iranian.

The Iranian company announced its bid of three million.  Why so much, even the French company wanted only two million!"  "Easy, one million for you, one million for me, and one million to subcontract the British company."

In summary, I do not expect the transition of government in Egypt to be anything like what happened in Iran.

[SomeGuy]

It strikes me that it is educational to see how the gal responds to/copes with a changed environment, how they treat people, getting a visa (perhaps for the first time or first Shengen), how they travel and a different perspective on spending money.

I agree with the above, but don't consider out of country trips a necessity.  A trip to a major or different city she hasn't spent any or much time in, along with the planning for such, would have much of the same effect, although of course, while retaining her language comfort. 
If someone's only experience to date was seeing their friend for a few hours a day only, for whatever reasons, and things appear to be going well, i would certainly suggest finding a way to spend more consecutive time together, whether a weekend trip to a (different?) city, something to change the location and 'usual' activities, and allowing you to spend more time together outside of the ordinary routine that may have been developed.