Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Bedouin seem to know they are walking a fine line. Too many safaris, and more re-
pression might follow. Too few safaris, and their demands might continue to be ignored. A
few hours after Attwa captured the American women, he told me, the Egyptian government
promised to release his sons, and he surrendered his hostages. But here we were, five months
later, and his sons were still incarcerated.
Shortly after my tea with Attwa, two more Americans and their guide were taken hostage.
At first, this safari seemed different. The kidnapper, a 32-year-old truck driver, threatened to
hold the hostages until his uncle (who he said had been arrested after refusing to bribe the
police) was freed from prison. Four days later, however, he released them, unharmed. “We
were treated just like they treat their own,” the hostages' translator told a reporter. The kid-
napper explained that in addition to the customary tea and coffee, he had served his guests
roast lamb, a dish usually reserved for special occasions. He said his uncle remained in pris-
on.
