I suppose that would be relative to "they".

The, you know, regime of Saudi Arabia. That is what I meant.

I was going to make some type of snarky comment, but I unfortunately do not have anything useful to contribute except this:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1012.html

I think it's basically okay... my dad went there on business. Just don't try to get into Mecca lol

I suppose concerns could be divided into two categories: those about your safety and those about the human rights record of Saudi Arabia. You started the thread seemingly about the first category; does the latter matter at all? If no, then disregard my posts.

Well... I don't think just by GOING to a place you're really endorsing their human rights record.

Really? All right then.

Yes, the concerns were related to safety as opposed to human rights violations or socio-political issues/positions. Thanks stratagos - that had a lot of information in it; I had intended to visit that site as the departure time got closer.

@ thucy - how long was he there for? What did he think of the experience?

I agree w/ Thucy there; this is not a tourist trip (for her at least) to spend vacationing dollars. It is related to medical research.

it's probably safe for American visitors, the regime has a strangle hold one the country.

9th largest military spending in the world from the 46h most populous country (huge american military support effectively means that in exchange for oil the US provides the Monarch in Saudi Arabia with money to buy weapons, (mostly from america)

(note: that is 9th after the 5 permanent security council members, Germany, Japan, and Italy - spends more than india, who have the second largest population in the world)

it spends ~10% of gdp on military, which is the 3rd highest in the world.

otherwise, Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, and defers to religious law on most issues. Thus women are not equal to men (though perhaps in a hospital/research centre the atmosphere will be different) I suspect that you being there with your wife will make things easier for her.

I have a few female friends who have vsited/lived in egypt and they have found egyptian men's advances on the street rather objectionable. (them being asked where their husband is... assumptions that all western women are sluts because they have sex before marriage...) I believe Saudi Arabia is culturally similar.

strangle-hold on the country, even.

Avoid carrying around any cartoons and your head should remain firmly attached.

@ ortho. I believe that's also part of the reason that they offered to fly me there. Following their custom basically means that I have to give her permission to go from the hotel to the medical center (if I understood things correctly).

@ acosmist - Yes, methinks that I will definitely need to refrain from any jolly bantering while I'm there:)

A week w/o any Monty Python references..... that will be tough.

Saudi Arabia wants to clear their image and is trying to bring in more tourism. As long as you respect their customs and don't flaunt your own, you'll be fine. Agents at the airport or border will make sure you understand the rules when you arrive.

But orathaic is right, you being with your wife will make the trip more comfortable for her regarding the culture differences.

I would sure as hell bring a sidearm.

@LanG: i think he was refering to danish cartoons of the prophet mohamed...

Monty Python mostly took the piss out of their own customs/religion, you might be safe there... at least in content, if not principle.

@TMW: sidearm? are you freaking serious? I don't know how the Saudia's would feel about foreign nationals bringing weapons into their country, but i know for certain that my country would not allow it. Also the fact is they have their own security forces, and i don't think there have been many recent incidents of terrorism (those keen on destroying the symbols of US imperialism have of late found it easier to go to iraq and blow up american troops.)

As far as terrorist attacks go i think its a really safe country.

its a piece of shit nation that should be thrown out of the UN and the olympics but.

stonings ofr moral crimes ,public beheadings, no freedom of religion(dont bring a bible! i think its illegal to seel/buy them in SA) of course NO drinks, no talking to women who are not your family without their family present, your wife would not be allowed to leave the hotel without you by her side, no driving for her. its basically stuck in the middle ages, if the princes didnt have oil money to buy off the public and buy weapons it would make Afghanistan look like a stable modern nation

My son has been there since August. Getting a visa is tricky. The boundaries between western and Saudi culture are stark. Within the hotel/compound one set of rules, outside another. If you're looking for a vacation, forget it. Adventure, well why else?