Explosions and shootings in Paris

[TLSnell1981]

Aw, I'm sorry your trip has been cancelled--never a good feeling.

I am curious as to where you had planned to travel? I recall you posting several times on the thread about people cancelling trips to Paris, but don't think you mentioned a trip of your own (I might well have missed or forgotten something though).

Many Christmas Markets started up over the weekend and I have several friends posting photos from various German markets already---here at least they seem to be going ahead as normal.

We were flying into Budapest with visits to Cracow, Salzburg and the last week based in Munich.

I used Oktoberfest to kind of gauge, whether or not, travel would be disrupted in Munich and Salzburg. (You provided train info) It seemed to move along fine. Paris shook me, but still didn't change our plans. The chemical weapons and locking Belgium down, made me think again. I don't know, how many saw the interview with little Brandon and his father in Paris...about the flowers. His conversation with Anderson Cooper affected me. So much going on... A vacation seemed a bit unimportant.

I'm happy the markets are bustling. We love the relaxed, festive atmosphere. Some of the warnings from the State Department are the same info, I received from my friend's family...before this was issued by the SD. Pretty much ruined the mood. I sat down and cancelled our trip last Saturday.

 

[gwynne]

We were flying into Budapest with visits to Cracow, Salzburg and the last week based in Munich.

I used Oktoberfest to kind of gauge, whether or not, travel would be disrupted in Munich and Salzburg. (You provided train info) It seemed to move along fine, Paris shook me, but still didn't change our plans. The chemical weapons and locking Belgium down, made me think again. I don't know, how many saw the interview with little Brandon and his father in Paris...about the flowers. His conversation with Anderson Cooper affected me. So much going on... A vacation seemed a bit unimportant.

I'm happy the markets are bustling. We love the relaxed, festive atmosphere. Some of the warnings from the State Department is the same info, I received from my friend's family...before this was issued by the SD. Pretty much ruined the mood. I sat down cancelled our trip last Saturday.

I'm sorry about your trip. I totally understand your thinking on this, and I hope you get to go in the future.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm sorry you felt you had to cancel (though I do understand--I was more nervous about my flight last week than I have ever been flying, even in the wake of 9/11). Personally (and maybe this is partly because we are in Europe, so everything is close to me anyway) I figure the danger is there right now in every Western place, and since living means I cannot avoid it all, well, I just carry on.
And, yes, that interview with the little boy was so touching.
My husband is in Budapest now (well, just outside of it working).
Amazingly, other than Lufthansa strikes, DH'S travel to Hungary, Italy and Austria since the Paris attacks has been uneventful and not slower than normal at all.

 

[gwynne]

I'm sorry you felt you had to cancel (though I do understand--I was more nervous about my flight last week than I have ever been flying, even in the wake of 9/11). Personally (and maybe this is partly because we are in Europe, so everything is close to me anyway) I figure the danger is there right now in every Western place, and since living means I cannot avoid it all, well, I just carry on.
And, yes, that interview with the little boy was so touching.
My husband is in Budapest now (well, just outside of it working).
Amazingly, other than Lufthansa strikes, DH'S travel to Hungary, Italy and Austria since the Paris attacks has been uneventful and not slower than normal at all.

If I was still in Europe, I would carry on just as you do so well. I am glad your dh's trips have been uneventful. That's the best kind of travel.
On the other hand, if I was spending a great deal of money on a special European vacation I would want to go when things were relatively calm and would wait.

We are continuing with our travel plans here in the states next month. We have a new grand baby due anytime, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone. Life goes on, and thankfully, special little blessings do too.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm sorry you felt you had to cancel (though I do understand--I was more nervous about my flight last week than I have ever been flying, even in the wake of 9/11). Personally (and maybe this is partly because we are in Europe, so everything is close to me anyway) I figure the danger is there right now in every Western place, and since living means I cannot avoid it all, well, I just carry on.
And, yes, that interview with the little boy was so touching.
My husband is in Budapest now (well, just outside of it working).
Amazingly, other than Lufthansa strikes, DH'S travel to Hungary, Italy and Austria since the Paris attacks has been uneventful and not slower than normal at all.

My family's neighbor and life long friend was a refugee from Hungary. I've always wanted to visit. A bit ironic, that a refugee crisis played a part in the current situation.

 

[cabanafrau]

We were flying into Budapest with visits to Cracow, Salzburg and the last week based in Munich.

I used Oktoberfest to kind of gauge, whether or not, travel would be disrupted in Munich and Salzburg. (You provided train info) It seemed to move along fine. Paris shook me, but still didn't change our plans. The chemical weapons and locking Belgium down, made me think again. I don't know, how many saw the interview with little Brandon and his father in Paris...about the flowers. His conversation with Anderson Cooper affected me. So much going on... A vacation seemed a bit unimportant.

I'm happy the markets are bustling. We love the relaxed, festive atmosphere. Some of the warnings from the State Department are the same info, I received from my friend's family...before this was issued by the SD. Pretty much ruined the mood. I sat down cancelled our trip last Saturday.

I'm sorry to hear you cancelled. Don't get me wrong, I understand and agree, I'm just sorry to hear that's the world we wake up in today.

Don't know about anybody else, I'm definitely ready for a great big, beautiful tomorrow!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I believe Brussels is closed down for a week!

So much going on I can barely keep up!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I believe Brussels is closed down for a week!

So much going on I can barely keep up!

Last I heard things were slated to start opening up again tomorrow. But shutting down a city of that size for 4 days is a monumental thing and still seems kind of surreal to think about.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ties-charge-fourth-suspect-terrorism-offences

 

[NHdisneylover]

Goodness gracious! What are people supposed to do? I know very few Europeans who have that many groceries available----I hope basic grocery stores are among the things reopening (and find it odd that schools are among the first things to be reopened--seems odd to have kids out in the streets when you are saying it is not safe in general, to me)

 

[SparklePixie]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ties-charge-fourth-suspect-terrorism-offences

Call me stupid, but if there is an attack planned, won't they just wait until the lockdown is lifted and attack then?

 

[pat fan]

Call me stupid, but if there is an attack planned, won't they just wait until the lockdown is lifted and attack then?

I assume they are hoping to have caught them before the lockdown is lifted, so it would be "safe" then.

 

[NHdisneylover]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34918236

So it does not sound like Brussels is still shuttered, but things are probably opening slowly and they are still at their highest alert level. Most public transit is running and schools are open today. Makes sense to me--I cannot see what would be gained by continuing to basically keep the population prisoners in their own homes, losing tons of money as businesses are not open, etc--seems like a victory for ISIL when you do that. For a couple of days while raids were carried out, etc I can see, but at this point if they have not found who they are looking for, well, staying in lockdown indefinitely is probably not going to help much.

I'd hate to be the decision makers though--seems like hindsight is always going to show a better way and they are in a can't win situation.

And I would really hate being a mother sending her kid to school in Brussels today--I would have a hard time talking myself into being logical and not panicky all day.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This has been making me chuckle since last night.

Anonymous's hack rigged it so that when ISIS goes to tweet, they get Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...cking-jihadis-watching-Never-Gonna-video.html