Hello everybody. This is my first post here but I’ve been lurking for quite some time.

I’m a recent journalism grad who still has a boring 9-5 job that pays my mortgage. I shoot in my free time and work for my college paper part time, but wish for nothing more than to be able to do this full time. One day…

To my question. I have to take a vacation from work in March/April of ‘08 and I’m contemplating visiting the middle east.

I’ve been thinking of flying into Israel and venturing into Gaza but I’ve been reading that the border crossing are closed. How difficult is it for Americans to cross?

If that doesn’t sound like it will work, I’d also be interested in visiting Afghanistan. I’ve met a few people who did some embeds but I don’t think I’ll be able to secure one, nor will I have enough time to complete one. I’d be more than willing to check out Kabul on my own though. Any tips, recommendations, or warnings?

Would love to meet anybody who is or will be in either of these areas and I’m open to suggestions of other places I can wonder and seek some stories.

Thanks in advance for your advice.