Civilian Travel Iraq

Civilian travel Iraq and other parts of the Middle East is fairly simple but it takes time, especially around the holidays and during the summer months as these are peak travel times.

Keep in mind that traveling in the summer time is going to be very stressful due to the heat. You will look for places to try to stay cool but they are few and far between.

Also if traveling on a military aircraft it will really be hot since there is little to no air conditioning on them. I recommend that you get one or two of those little portable fans.

Try to arrange your time for civilian travel Iraq and other parts of the Middle East so that it is not in the summer or near spring break, Thanksgiving, or Christmas and New Year's and you should have a much better experience.

If you get a choice, I would fly Emirates. They have new planes with the latest in technology. Their flight attendants are the best. They also have direct flights from Dubai to the United States.

Once the war is over, there will be a lot more civilian travel Iraq and to the rest of the Middle East for business and for pleasure. Why?

There is so much to see and learn about. The cultures are ancient. Remember that Iraq is home to the cradle of civilization. Oil is big business. Many people will come teaching English as a second language for a chance to live in a different culture to learn about the people and religions.

The roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all right here in the Middle East so tourism has been a big business and will be once more after Iraq has been stabilized.

Depending on the company you work for, you may fly directly into Baghdad or you may go to Kuwait. The Kuwait airport is nothing spectacular when compared to the Dubai airport, especially the new terminal in Dubai, but they get the job done.

You could also land in Dubai. I have done all three of the above.

With some great civilian travel to Iraq tips from yours truly, you should be able to get through Kuwait and into Iraq by way of Ali al Saleem Airbase or wherever your particular destination is without much trouble. It can take as little as a few days leaving from America or as much as 3 weeks, depending on how quickly your company can get the paperwork ready for your entry into Iraq.

A few tips for civilian travel Iraq and in the Middle East:

1. Don't go anywhere without your passport and your visa (once you get your Visa if necessary).

2. Don't complain about how long it takes to get your paperwork in order. Everybody goes through it. Nobody wants to hear it. It may work in the United States to moan and complain, but here in the Middle East, it does not.

3. If you are female, you will be stared at. Most middle-eastern females are covered up so any non-covered woman appears to them as a beauty queen, especially if you are blond and well-endowed. Just prepare yourself for it.

4. Bring good books to read, ones that will keep you entertained for hours, sometimes for days. The American TV shows they play are not good ones.

5. If you venture out of your hotel, do not go out without a cell phone. Make sure you have someone to call. I do not recommend going out without a guide.

6. Try not to drive in Kuwait. The traffic is a nightmare. Believe me, I have had to drive in it many times while living there and it is scary.

7. Find a hobby to pass the time. Maybe now is a good time to start writing that book you have always dreamed of.

8. Find out what the Visa requirements for the countries you will be visiting ahead of time. Some countries do not have them but others do.

9. Every airport I have been in both in the Middle East and in Europe has signs in English so it is fairly easy to figure out where to go. Flight announcements are made in English. If time is running out and I cannot figure it out, I just ask for help. I have never missed a connection yet.

10. I like to take American $1 bills with me. All of the vendors at the airports in Europe and in the Middle East will take American money. They will give you change in whatever their currency is. With the dollar bill, you do not lose much money. Chances are you will not have time to get the money changed before your next flight. So at least you have some coins for a souvenir. I also use the $1 bills to tip those who help me along the way.

Once you are in Iraq, you may be doing a lot of travel by helicopter.

An Iraq visa and a valid passport are required documents for entering the country if you are planning on traveling as a private civilian. However, travel to Iraq by tourists is discouraged by the State Department.

Those who are required to enter Iraq should seek to fully understand the visa requirements and risks associated with entering this country. An Iraqi Business Visa is issued to travelers entering Iraq for short term, business related purposes on behalf of a foreign company.

A single entry visa allows for one entry into the country that issued the visa. The visa becomes invalid once you leave the country or once the period of validity has expired. See US Passport Service Guide for more exact details for traveling in Iraq.

There is nothing to fear when riding in a helicopter for civilian travel Iraq. It is great. You will need ear plugs and a pair of glasses you can tie to your face.

During summer, they fly with the doors open and if you do not have your glasses tied to your face they will fly off.

Despite what the T.V. shows, it is very loud on the helicopter and there is no way to have a conversation.

I like to sit by the door and watch the land beneath as we fly over head. A lot of times people will stop and wave at us.

I have a few travel tips for civilian travel to Iraq and to R&R. First, be sure to drink plenty of water. Usually I will cut back though about six to twelve hours before my flight since it is not easy to go on the military plane.

I will also stop eating twenty-four hours before my flight just in case...

Once the war is over and you are using commercial flights, no problem as far as using the facilities on planes for civilian travel Iraq and other parts of the Middle East.

Many of you have heard of the "urine color test." If your urine is dark yellow then you need to drink a quart of water as soon as possible.

Civilian travel Iraq tip, think winter months. Because of the heat and the time involved, I try to take R&R during the cool months. I have found January is the best month to travel. Nothing is going on and the planes are usually empty. Many times I have been able to have two or three seats or a whole aisle on the plane to myself in my civilian travel Iraq!

The Summer and Fall are the worst times for civilian travel Iraq. Every seat on the plane is full. When you are on a plane for eight hours at a time, this can get bad. Even worse if you get stuck with a screaming or whining child in the area.

I know you will not be doing any civilian travel Iraq with a child now but once the war is over, you may.

While we are on the subject of civilian travel Iraq on an airplane, I have to vent. Some parents will try to save money and hold the child in their laps. My advice? Don't do it. Just buy the seat for the child.

The parents fly miserably if they don't. There is no place to put this child even for a few minutes. They can't eat or read a book or even have a place to change diapers. Be smart, folks. Buy the child a seat and you will have a much better time of it, especially if you are flying without a companion who can help you.

Sometimes a passenger will help. I have done this in the past. I even gave up my choice exit aisle seat so the mother beside me with a newborn could have a place to put down the baby or at least have some extra room. But not everyone is like me.

United Airlines offers a flight from the East Coast all the way to Kuwait, no stops. This is the way to go if at all possible. I have had to stop in different cities in Europe in the past to change airlines but this non-stop to Kuwait is great.

If you do have to fly to Europe first, try to get a flight on Swiss Air. They have a beautiful airport in Switzerland. This airport has chairs where you can lie down and sleep.

The scenery outside the windows is breathtaking, especially in January with all of the snow there. It looks like a quiet village setting. This airport is neat and clean and fairly new compared to Heathrow in London or Charles DuGaulle in Paris.

Layovers--during civilian travel to Iraq, you may have a layover with several hours and think you have all the time in the world to check things out. With the new security in place, you will go through several check stations. Move along through them or you will miss your flight. Once you are close to your gate, then you can relax and see what there is to see at the airport.

My favorite airport place to eat all over the world is McDonald's. It seems that almost every airport I have been in has one. It is always comforting to see those golden arches.

I hope your civilian travel Iraq is pleasant!

Andrija Ilic Photo Gallery Photo documentary work on conflicts in ex-Yugoslavia(Kosovo-Serbia)and Middle East (Israel and Palestine). Web site contains photo reportage about different cultural, social and ethnic groups: urban ghetto in LA, Roma (gipsy)minority in Serbia, Ethno spirit of Serbia, travel journey.

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