Not a pleasant topic but is anyone concerned about recent events in Europe and safety?

[bbel]

Thanks for letting me know. I used to not even think about since our area is very diverse but now I worry.

I know this is a little off topic, but this is from an article about the school around the corner from me...the point was in total there were 31 languages spoken at this school, but the photo alone represents the average street in a British city...like I said, no one stands out here unless they want to...

 

[cruiser21]

We were originally going to go to England this summer but we changed our mind not because of the terrorist attacks but because my dh is Indian and there's been after Brexit a lot of open anti immigrant sentiment in England. I was worried about the safety of my dh and kids who don't look white like I do.

There are 3 million muslims in London. I doubt you're going to stick out.

 

[Shanti]

Our cruise is PIF and I am not cancelling, but I am a little bit apprehensive travelling to Spain after Googling last night. Me bad, I know. There are some warnings posted. I realize most are for tourist areas with beaches etc but it makes me sad that we have to even think about things like that.

Yes, it would be a consideration for me. I wouldn't necessarily cancel, but I would definitely reflect on it.

 

[tcufrog]

We aren't Muslim. You do realize that most Indians aren't Muslim. They're Hindus like my dh's family.

 

[KayKayJS]

This is just my opinion on this subject as an Orlando resident.

Pulse was VERY frequented by people in this community gay or not. My circle usually ended up at one of the popular gay nightclubs on a night out. I am still on high alert, and I'm not sure if I ever won't be. Maybe until it happens so close to home (whether that be your city, a place you frequent, your friends, etc etc) you don't don't really grasp the terror? Calling people to make sure they're alive? We were lucky to not lose anyone, but many of our friends did.

We have not let it stop us from doing things here or abroad, but I don't buy into the "everything is wonderful!!" crap personally, because just in Orlando, for those 49 people and their families, and those with permanent injuries, I think it's pretty insensitive to insist everything is great and fine and dandy.

There's a risk in everything, yes, but I think it's worth thinking about and deciding what you're comfortable with.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[cruiser21]

We aren't Muslim. You do realize that most Indians aren't Muslim. They're Hindus like my dh's family.

I get that, but you questioned it you would stick out because you are white and your husband is Indian. I can assure you will not. I was in London during the Brexit vote the anti- immigration attitude is not about race or religion like the mainstream media likes you to think. It's about jobs and the economy. The economy in many cities in Europe and London simply cannot support all the immigrants. There are no jobs. . No different then in the US if live in a state that's flooded with illegals. Most of us welcome people with open arms that come into the country legally, work, pay taxes and support the economy. As a tourist I don't think you have anything to worry about. London is just as multi-cultural as any major city in the US....probably more so. Europe has an immigration problem that may be they downfall of their economy, but it won't effect you. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[Westcoastwild]

We were originally going to go to England this summer but we changed our mind not because of the terrorist attacks but because my dh is Indian and there's been after Brexit a lot of open anti immigrant sentiment in England. I was worried about the safety of my dh and kids who don't look white like I do.

Huge Indian population in London though. Ate at a great Punjabi restaurant. I don't think your family would have stuck out as much you fear. I understand the sentiment though, and admittedly, what might might be true in London might not hold true for the more rural destinations, I don't know.

 

[tcufrog]

One of the reasons why we were going was because a friend offered us free use of her extended family's cottage just outside a small village.

 

[Shanti]

I was in London during the Brexit vote the anti- immigration attitude is not about race or religion...

And I've got a bridge to sell you...

 

[OrcaPotter]

This is just my opinion on this subject as an Orlando resident.

Pulse was VERY frequented by people in this community gay or not. My circle usually ended up at one of the popular gay nightclubs on a night out. I am still on high alert, and I'm not sure if I ever won't be. Maybe until it happens so close to home (whether that be your city, a place you frequent, your friends, etc etc) you don't don't really grasp the terror? Calling people to make sure they're alive? We were lucky to not lose anyone, but many of our friends did.

We have not let it stop us from doing things here or abroad, but I don't buy into the "everything is wonderful!!" crap personally, because just in Orlando, for those 49 people and their families, and those with permanent injuries, I think it's pretty insensitive to insist everything is great and fine and dandy.

There's a risk in everything, yes, but I think it's worth thinking about and deciding what you're comfortable with.

This. Also an Orlando resident, the Pulse attack literally hit home.

Disney Springs was one of the potential targets, and frankly, I think about what I would do in a crisis like that in a public space frequently. As KayKayJS said, once you've had an attack in your backyard, it makes it very real. Now, I also agree that we mustn't allow the fear to stop us. I still go to movie theatres even though the mass shooting a few years ago has seriously made my time in a darkened public theatre now more anxiety-ridden than comfortable. One of my best friends just returned from almost 2 weeks in Paris which was uneventful... but then Manchester happened while she was still over there.

Personally, I will not stop traveling. But I think it's important to stay alert, know all of the exits, and trust your gut instincts. I still desperately want to do a European and Mediterranean cruise, but when I go, I'm not ignorant enough to think an attack won't happen--just as it can happen again here at home--just because of what statistics are.

 

[Aanna]

-Deleted-

 

[cadien]

It's not irrational to stop and think about. Some itineraries will be more of an issue than others. We were supposed to do an Istanbul cruise this year. The cruise lines made that decision for us. But with tourists being explicitly targeted, we would have put it off regardless. That's my personal criteria. Random violence you can't do much about.

 

[cruiser21]

And I've got a bridge to sell you...

That's the impression I got from talking to the locals. If you have other information then feel free to share.

 

[ludari]

I had done two WBTA cruises both within the past several years and I was more concerned about pickpockets than actual attacks. I do my best to be aware of my surroundings and if I had a tripped planned to Spain I would not cancel it, nevertheless I understand your concern.

 

[Mil leech]

I am on the Norway/Iceland cruise and we leave in 2 weeks for London. I have thought about the incidents, but I am still going. I don't want to live in fear, but I will be much more aware and go with my instincts.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I am a traveler and I refuse to let anyone take that away from me. I am vigilant and aware, but I don't dwell on it, and I don't talk about it *much* with my kids (13, 12 and 9) because I don't want them to live in fear, especially when we are traveling. I do take a few extra steps like enrolling in STEP--Smart Traveler Enrollment Program--which lets the local US Embassy know we are there and how to get in touch with us, but also signs me up for alerts before and during our trip. I recommend all US citizens do this when traveling abroad. I have received alerts when traveling before I have seen them put out to the public. I also follow the US Dept. of State on Facebook as they list items of interests for travelers there often.

 

[phinz]

Are those actual reasons your friends and coworkers cite, though. Because literally, none of that is new to the last 12 months. The administration is but I doubt that effects tourism that much. Everything else has happened for years if not decades.

I know of at least one Brit who used to be a regular here who said he quit traveling to the United States for Disney and Disney Cruises because of fear of gun violence.

 

[cadien]

That's the impression I got from talking to the locals. If you have other information then feel free to share.

Talking to locals in the Southern U.S. gives you the impression that the Civil War was about states' rights.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Talking to locals in the Southern U.S. gives you the impression that the Civil War was about states' rights.

Hey, technically, it was. The southern states thought the federal government was interfering with their right to own property. Southerners just conveniently ignore the fact that the "property" they had "the right to own" were human beings.

Brexit was definitely about economy but it had all those little connotations of race and religion that illegal immigration discussion has here. Rhetoric doesn't focus on all illegal immigrants. It focuses on dark skinned outsiders who talk funny, dress different, and aren't Protestant. No one comes out to say it directly, but that's definitely the impression I got from talking to the locals.

Similarily people here will tell you it's not about race and it's not about religion, but people could just walk in and steal jobs from honest Americans, and get benefits and overfill the schools with all the babies they deliberately have so they can stay. And that's why Trump's wall is needed. Well, then, you may point out that the wall should be built around the entire US. What about the Canadians? Wait, what about those people who fly in on those newfangled plane thingys and overstay their visa? Don't be silly, they say. It's the Mexicans that are the problem.

It's always about race and religion and culture.

 

[lorenni]

Let's no forget the ten of thousands of christians being slaughtered around the globe each year. That one hardly gets s mention in mainstream media, but yes I agree theirs a lot too be concerned about in world.

Source please?