Paris building a barrier around the Eiffel Tower

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Some of the culture may have changed in these places which is truly unfortunate but there is still some incredible history that can be seen and explored throughout Europe. No amount of terrorism is going to change that.

Agree 100% on the incredible history, etc.!

No amount of terrorism will change that for sure. And I hope it never gets to the point where terrorism makes EXPLORING that history in those places prohibitive for many of us.

I am thinking here of a friend who moved to Istanbul a few years back. GORGEOUS place... wonderful people... she LOVED it. But when she found herself on FB YET AGAIN to let us all know that she was ok after ANOTHER terrorist attack, she finally had to draw the line and come back home.

Another friend was just at the Christmas market in Berlin about an hour before it was attacked.

Another friend lives in Sweden and has quite an interesting take on what we are hearing now in the news. Like others I'll refrain from going into that any further.

As I said, I live in a city with constant high levels of security. Day to day we just live our lives, but there are times when it hits you: how sad it all is. Saddest is the idea that many accept this as a new normal. Part of me dares to hope that we can do better than that... eventually...

 

[L&Lfan]

I would hope as the continent changes, they won't destroy the history as they did in Afghanistan and other places. I remember when they blew up the Buddhas.

 

[Kitty 34]

Ehh I'm not at all worried about my personal safety here. Not going to go through life being scared at all the potential negative outcomes. Not a good way to live life, IMO. I'm gonna do what I want and if I get struck down, so be it.

So don't let some construction and small barriers cancel your trip either.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I also think Europe has been forever changed. Two people in my office just returned from Germany and they were very disappointed at what they saw/experienced. I won't say more for fear of getting slammed...

Germany HAS changed. It was once a favorite, but no longer on our itinerary.

 

[TLSnell1981]

So don't let some construction and small barriers cancel your trip either.

It's not the construction and small barriers, but the perpetual State of Emergency.

 

[jevs]

That's a bummer Paco but don't let it stop you from visiting.

What's really sad is that they, France, allowed this to happen. Theres no going back for them now, or Germany.

I know right! I'm gonna have to stop visiting the USA as they 'allow' home grown terrorism on a daily basis...(tic)

 

[Kitty 34]

It's not the construction and small barriers, but the perpetual State of Emergency.

but he just said he didn't want to be afraid; at least I thought that's what I quoted.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

A very close friend lives in Sweden. He has said the same. It's really to bad.

Have you seen this video? I was shocked at what's going on there.

 

[TLSnell1981]

but he just said he didn't want to be afraid; at least I thought that's what I quoted.

Just my personal thoughts on not traveling to France in the near future.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I know right! I'm gonna have to stop visiting the USA as they 'allow' home grown terrorism on a daily basis...(tic)

Clear false equivalence. And I'll leave it at that.

 

[Kitty 34]

Just my personal thoughts on not traveling to France in the near future.

Oh sorry. I can sooooo relate to that!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Have you seen this video? I was shocked at what's going on there.

These are the kinds of things my friend in Sweden is talking about. Doesn't make the news here much, and when it does, stories seldom sound quite like the reality she conveys.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

So don't let some construction and small barriers cancel your trip either.

lol I just don't want construction crews in my tower selfie, that's the worry. Pictures are my souvenirs.

 

[Kitty 34]

lol I just don't want construction crews in my tower selfie, that's the worry. Pictures are my souvenirs.

Ahhhh back in the day a couple of construction guys would have looked pretty good in one of my pics!!!

 

[plutotek]

Hyperbole and alarmist attitudes aside, Germany and Austria are still our favorite countries to visit.

That being said, we're spending 3 days in Paris in December and we're more concerned about the complexities of the French language than we are about some added security measures.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Hyperbole and alarmist attitudes aside, Germany and Austria are still our favorite countries to visit.

That being said, we're spending 3 days in Paris in December and we're more concerned about the complexities of the French language than we are about some added security measures.

I was in Austria in September and didn't even notice any issues. I walked around like no big deal, felt 100% safe, pounded beer, and vienna dogs.

 

[hereyago]

Have you seen this video? I was shocked at what's going on there.

I didn't realize this was going on there. It is like the inmates are taking over the prison or certain cities in the U.S.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Before this goes off the rails...

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Have you seen this video? I was shocked at what's going on there.

Very biased and one sided report though.

 

[wilkeliza]

Have you seen this video? I was shocked at what's going on there.

Did some research on this video and the creater is being accused of creatively editing footage of officials to make it sound worse than it is. Also the statistics don't match. There has been no rise in crim or rape that is significant enought to blame on any factor. It is with in the "average" for Sweeden. Heck rape actually only went up because they expanded how they report and what is considered rape. I find it best to look at the actual data and not just some video says.