Another car bomb killed another politician near Pamplona. I also read the impending marriage of the Prince heir to the throne to a Norwegian underwear model is causing quite a political stir. What gives? Is Santiago safe?

Sean: If you are at the wrong place at the wrong moment, it's bad luck or destiny. It can happen everywhere in the world. But it should not stop you from going any place. <BR>Remember that horrible killing of innocent people at a temple in Egypt or that Swissair plane crash near Halifax (Peggy's Cove) in 1998. It made the headline for weeks in Swiss newspapers. People continue to fly this air carrier. <BR>From my experience, US press and TV tend to exaggerate a lot. Bad things do happen all over the world, but there is not reason to stay away from a place. I went to Indonesia and Bali last year. Press was bad, but the trip went fine. <BR>Enjoy Spain.

.. to be clear: I went to Java (Indonesia) and Bali...

Ursula, this is a tangent, but I remember that Swissair crash very well for a very personal reason. In the early 90's, I dated a woman for a few months who was going to a naturopathic medical school here in Seattle. Originall from New York City, she loved the West Coast, but she wanted to "spread the naturopathic gospel" back on the East Coast so, after she graduated, she moved to Connecticut to open up a practice, around 1994 or so. <BR> <BR>Cut to the fall of 1998. My girlfriend, who, coincidentally, was attending the same medical school this woman did, told me she'd just read in her school's fall newsletter that a former student living on the East Coast had been killed in that Swissair crash. My heart fell. Even before she told me the name, I just knew. I asked her the name anyway and, sure enough, it was this woman. The incredibly sad thing about it was that she'd been flying to Europe to visit her only sibling -- a sister married to a Frenchman -- who had just had a baby, and her boyfriend had also flown ahead and was apparently waiting to propose marriage to her when she arrived as a surprise. <BR> <BR>To me, because I had a personal connection to this woman, that really drove home how precious and fragile life is and how important it is do the things you want to do today...because you never know if you'll have a tomorrow. <BR> <BR>Anyway, as you said, whether one considers something like this to be bad luck or destiny, it can happen anywhere in the world, at any time.

Capo: I am verry sorry to hear that you were as well sort of involved with that plane crash. I did not say it before, but I happened to know the "maître de cabine" (the purser, in English, I guess). I very nice man who has been with Swissair for decades. His life was Swissair. I could not believe it, once the names and pictures were given to the press. One female flight attendant was on her very first flight ever! <BR> <BR>So, what's the quintessence of all that: <BR>Enjoy life NOW and TODAY and make the trips you want to. A lot of people say: Oh, we shall do that, once retired. Very often it's too late then. I am a fatalist, I know. <BR> <BR>BTW: That book you recommended about travelling in Africa (Ouagadougou), it's on my list to find somewhere.

Sorry to hear about your personal connection & loss with that crash too, Ursula. I'm somewhat of a fatalist too; I think when your number's up, it's up, and there's not much you can do about it. <BR> <BR>By the way, in case you've forgotten the exact title, that book is called "French Lessons in Africa : Travels With My Briefcase in French Africa" by British businessman Peter Biddlecombe. He has about three or four others in a similar vein that followed that one but that's my favorite. (Amazon.com says that it's currently out-of-print, but there are some used copies available from Amazon Marketplace sellers.)

Capo: I have taken down the exact title and P. Biddlecombe, but I am not sure to get it here (Zurich). There is a English bookstore, but... <BR> <BR>I shall try to find out whether it has been translated into German. I shall let you know some time. <BR>

Sean, <BR> <BR>Santiago is the other side of Spain from the Basque country. I'm sure you will be as safe there as you would be in any American city.

I live in San Sebastián (Basque Country) and I can say nothern Spain is safe, in spite of ETA terrorist actions. You should not miss Spain!

Very safe.

Sean, <BR> <BR>I visited the Basque country for a wedding two years ago. The people there were the warmest and friendliest I have ever met. The Basque country is absolutely beutiful and was, in my opnion, exactly what I always expected Europe to be. <BR> <BR>Also, I was in Seoul during the student demostrations and riots a few years back. Although they were carrying anti-American posters, when I walked by them, they did not bother in any way. <BR> <BR>The ETA is not against Americans. They just want independence or at least the right the decide for themselves. <BR> <BR>Take care. <BR> <BR>McAdam

Everything I have read about Basque terrorism says that politicians and military people are almost always the targets. Tourists have not been targets. I visited northern Spain last year and did not feel unsafe in the least. <BR>As for the underwear model, the Spanish peolpe are devastated that a Borbon is marrying an underwear model. As a result, an extremist group is threatening to target the panties, bikini briefs, and thongs of unsuspecting tourists. If I were you I would check your underwear every day for explosives.

Fodors <BR> <BR>You probably know that's there's good consular advice on all this (underwear apart) <BR>from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice <BR>from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel and on http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp <BR>from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under "Travel Reports" <BR>from France on http://www.dfae.diplomatie.fr/voyage...s/alphabet.asp <BR>from the USA on http://travel.state.gov, under "travel warnings" <BR>Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check all five sites. <BR> <BR>The British site has a quite detailed Q and A section. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

We just returned from Spain and enjoyed San Sebastian immensely. The people are so gracious and friendly. I had concerns about the Basque stores - not true in our case.

Sean: <BR> <BR>GO! Do not miss Northern Spain. Santiago is a place that you will never forget. Try to stay at the Parador when you are there. My DH(darling husband) and I had a GREAT time in Santiago de Compostella. <BR>Just be aware not spooked while you travel ANYWHERE. <BR> <BR>Happy Travels <BR>Oaktown

The Basques are located in northeast Spain (bordering on France)and recently voted overwhelmly against the political parties fronting for the ETA terrorists. The problem exists that the Etarras are a small minority & refuse to accept the will of the people. They expect to "win" (ie, take over & dictate) thru fear & intimidation, like Lenin & Hitler did in the past century. Isn't it amazing how history repeats itself! <BR>Spain is a free democratic country whose people enjoy a high standard of living.The vast majority of Basques are friendly & honorable. <BR> Tourists have not yet been targets although a few weeks ago a terrorist cell was broken up prior to detonating a load of dynamite in the tourist hotel area of Santander. <BR>Still the likelihood of being caught in a terrorist bomb blast is far less than being involved in a fatal car accident. <BR> <BR>And yes, Spaniards are dismayed that Prince Felipe has been linked to a Scandanavian underware model! But he is a pretty smart fellow who does demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility to his country, so I doubt this is a serious romance! <BR> <BR>

Sean, Just returned from 3 weeks in northern Spain and the Basque country. Don't worry about it, just have a good and enjoy the trip.

The political situation in the Basque country is very serious, though you won't notice it in the streets, unless you'll have the bad luck to face a bomb. Santiago is absolutely safe. As for the Prince's lovers, nobody cares except gossip magazines readers.

Spanish Government Fears ETA Campaign <BR>Against Resorts <BR>Wednesday July 25 9:41 AM ET <BR> <BR>MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government said on Wednesday it feared the Basque separatist group ETA was preparing bomb attacks in the country's busy beach resorts after a suspected ETA member accidentally blew herself up. <BR>

See the post "warning do not go to Spain." I do not think terrorists will kill you, but you might get muggged and injured in Barcelona.