Paris Under Seige...
Nov 14th, 2015, 06:15 AM
#81
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I leave on Monday - 11/16 for extended stay. No problems showing for my flights. No way would I even consider cancelling my trip! These nuts certainly are not going to change the way I live!
I have been communicating with my Paris friends. I was in Paris when the Charlie Hebdo disaster hit, too. We continue to live our lives and not let them change the way we live. We have many plans beginning with my Tuesday arrival.
If some cancel their flights it will just make more room on the planes!
a bientot..
Joan
I have been communicating with my Paris friends. I was in Paris when the Charlie Hebdo disaster hit, too. We continue to live our lives and not let them change the way we live. We have many plans beginning with my Tuesday arrival.
If some cancel their flights it will just make more room on the planes!
a bientot..
Joan
Nov 14th, 2015, 06:39 AM
#83
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There is a good bit of hysteria on "the other" travel website.
Here's some reliable "boots on the ground" information:
There is no curfew.
I repeat - no curfew - anywhere in Paris.
We are not under "lockdown".
Some things are open today, but most things are not.
Museums, parks and tourist attractions are closed today.
The police suggest avoiding these areas for the time being.
Some Metro and bus lignes near the attacks have been closed today.
There has been no word yet about closures on Sunday or next week.
Hopefully there will be a decision mentioned on tonight's news.
The police believe that it is safer for people to stay home if they can do so, since the possibility of further attacks cannot be discounted.
If fewer people are wandering around, this will permit the police to continue their investigations without being interrupted.
Most of us are doing what we normally do, as much as possible.
Most of us are staying home, since there's really nothing else we can do.
Here's some reliable "boots on the ground" information:
There is no curfew.
I repeat - no curfew - anywhere in Paris.
We are not under "lockdown".
Some things are open today, but most things are not.
Museums, parks and tourist attractions are closed today.
The police suggest avoiding these areas for the time being.
Some Metro and bus lignes near the attacks have been closed today.
There has been no word yet about closures on Sunday or next week.
Hopefully there will be a decision mentioned on tonight's news.
The police believe that it is safer for people to stay home if they can do so, since the possibility of further attacks cannot be discounted.
If fewer people are wandering around, this will permit the police to continue their investigations without being interrupted.
Most of us are doing what we normally do, as much as possible.
Most of us are staying home, since there's really nothing else we can do.
Nov 14th, 2015, 06:40 AM
#84
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Traviata:
So glad to hear you are okay. Who would have thought this horror was in front of us that lovely October evening we Fodirites gathered at Boullion Racine to talk about and share stories of our favorite city in the world. How much longer will you be in Paris?
Pariswat:
Good you are home safe. Please update when you have a chance upon your return to work.
I've heard from my Paris Greeter acquaintance that Paris is indeed strangely quiet, shocked and horrified by these unfathomable events. Difficult to come to grips with this insanity run amuck.
So glad to hear you are okay. Who would have thought this horror was in front of us that lovely October evening we Fodirites gathered at Boullion Racine to talk about and share stories of our favorite city in the world. How much longer will you be in Paris?
Pariswat:
Good you are home safe. Please update when you have a chance upon your return to work.
I've heard from my Paris Greeter acquaintance that Paris is indeed strangely quiet, shocked and horrified by these unfathomable events. Difficult to come to grips with this insanity run amuck.
Nov 14th, 2015, 06:41 AM
#85
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I'll leave in a few weeks for the Festival of Lights in Lyon, and I don't intend to change my plans. It's too soon to know if the Festival will still be held (this is an annual event that draws millions of people to the streets of the city for 4 nights), but it's important to me to travel to France and show my support.
Nov 14th, 2015, 07:10 AM
#86
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French-Swiss border crossing:
ID controls in trains, Geneva and Basel citybuses and at the main roads; no control at all along the hundreds of border crossing country lanes and foot paths.
Similar situation along the French-Italian border.
In one single day, 133 people were killed and 99 extremely seriously injured; statistically, that corresponds to the traffic victims on French roads within 2 weeks.
ID controls in trains, Geneva and Basel citybuses and at the main roads; no control at all along the hundreds of border crossing country lanes and foot paths.
Similar situation along the French-Italian border.
In one single day, 133 people were killed and 99 extremely seriously injured; statistically, that corresponds to the traffic victims on French roads within 2 weeks.
Nov 14th, 2015, 07:29 AM
#87
From the BBC (its site is carrying continuing updates):
The Paris attackers were members of a self-contained cell and had travelled to Syria, the BBC's Frank Gardner reports, citing Whitehall sources.
Also says one was a Frenchman, a Syrian and an Egyptian passport were found on two attackers at the stadium.
The Paris attackers were members of a self-contained cell and had travelled to Syria, the BBC's Frank Gardner reports, citing Whitehall sources.
Also says one was a Frenchman, a Syrian and an Egyptian passport were found on two attackers at the stadium.
Nov 14th, 2015, 08:07 AM
#89
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Hi, I got to Paris yesterday afternoon after spending a few days in Marseille and Avignon. My hotel is in the 6th.
Today I was out and about - I actually went to the Musee Jaquemart Andre as I had a reserved ticket but the gentleman there told quite a few people hoping to get in that it was closed. Later on I went to Printemps - after a short time, they closed the store - the same for Galerie Lafayette.
I was walking a lot and passed the Paris Tourist Info Center - the person there told me the Louvre was open. So I went there but by then it was closed as well....
It looks like my airline, American, has been flying in and out as scheduled. I leave Monday.
So very sad to have to hear about such a tragedy...I am a New Yorker and worked near the Trade Center on 9/11....
Today I was out and about - I actually went to the Musee Jaquemart Andre as I had a reserved ticket but the gentleman there told quite a few people hoping to get in that it was closed. Later on I went to Printemps - after a short time, they closed the store - the same for Galerie Lafayette.
I was walking a lot and passed the Paris Tourist Info Center - the person there told me the Louvre was open. So I went there but by then it was closed as well....
It looks like my airline, American, has been flying in and out as scheduled. I leave Monday.
So very sad to have to hear about such a tragedy...I am a New Yorker and worked near the Trade Center on 9/11....
Nov 14th, 2015, 09:10 AM
#92
One analyst raised the point that there is a big market in stolen and forged passports. Although the identity on one passport at the stadium was recently 'processed' on one of Greek islands as part of a group of refugees, we can't know yet whether the person carrying the passport on that day is the terrorist at the stadium or that it was even the same passport in both places. Too soon for clarity on many issues.
Nov 14th, 2015, 10:13 AM
#93
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"Why would they bring weapons and passports?"
Because it's a legal requirement for foreigners to carry a passport in France.
Imagine being the terrorist who, on being stopped a few miles from his intended carnage site, got first detained for lack of documents, then - after the inevitable vehicle search - imprisoned for illegal possession of weapons.
No 72 virgins for you in Paradise tonight. No induction into the Mindless Terror Hall of Fame. No eternal fame, and no mother proudly showing off your "martyrdom". Just five years in a nasty jail with a few hundred fit young infidels determined to avenge the murder of their compatriots. Every single hour.
Terrorism 101: don't ruin your plan for outrageous crime by trivial infractions of minor laws. The passport may be fake or stolen: but it's a passport.
Because it's a legal requirement for foreigners to carry a passport in France.
Imagine being the terrorist who, on being stopped a few miles from his intended carnage site, got first detained for lack of documents, then - after the inevitable vehicle search - imprisoned for illegal possession of weapons.
No 72 virgins for you in Paradise tonight. No induction into the Mindless Terror Hall of Fame. No eternal fame, and no mother proudly showing off your "martyrdom". Just five years in a nasty jail with a few hundred fit young infidels determined to avenge the murder of their compatriots. Every single hour.
Terrorism 101: don't ruin your plan for outrageous crime by trivial infractions of minor laws. The passport may be fake or stolen: but it's a passport.
Nov 14th, 2015, 10:56 AM
#95
This is truly very sad and my heart breaks for Paris and all of France, I am not changing my plans as I am scheduled to be there in early Decemeber. This is going against what my family wants. I was supposed to be there this coming week but declined weeks ago for work. People in times like this will stick together and only if we stick together will we overcome such evil.
Nov 14th, 2015, 01:59 PM
#97
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Because it's a legal requirement for foreigners to carry a passport in France.
Imagine being the terrorist who, on being stopped a few miles from his intended carnage site, got first detained for lack of documents, then - after the inevitable vehicle search - imprisoned for illegal possession of weapons.
__________
Yes that passport would be a great distraction from the many Kalashnikovs, the 1000's rounds of ammo, and the suicide vests they were carrying.
Police: Do you know why you were stopped?
Terrorist: Yes officer I have automatic weapons, but here is my fake passport.
Police: OK, Sir, just don't use those weapons.
Imagine being the terrorist who, on being stopped a few miles from his intended carnage site, got first detained for lack of documents, then - after the inevitable vehicle search - imprisoned for illegal possession of weapons.
__________
Yes that passport would be a great distraction from the many Kalashnikovs, the 1000's rounds of ammo, and the suicide vests they were carrying.
Police: Do you know why you were stopped?
Terrorist: Yes officer I have automatic weapons, but here is my fake passport.
Police: OK, Sir, just don't use those weapons.
Nov 14th, 2015, 03:42 PM
#98
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Thanks, Fuzzbucket and others for the insights and tips. I read French well, so I can work from the French language version of the Paris city website.
I'm unconcerned about further threats but am dreading the CDG experience, as I fly into CDG twice and out of it twice on this trip
(I've a side trip to Rome and Florence.) Not my favourite airport at any time.
I thought of taking the financial hit on our apartment rental and spending the whole time in Italy. But I'll monitor the situation for a couple of days.
I'm unconcerned about further threats but am dreading the CDG experience, as I fly into CDG twice and out of it twice on this trip
(I've a side trip to Rome and Florence.) Not my favourite airport at any time. I thought of taking the financial hit on our apartment rental and spending the whole time in Italy. But I'll monitor the situation for a couple of days.
Nov 14th, 2015, 04:27 PM
#99
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<i> Yes that passport would be a great distraction from the many Kalashnikovs, the 1000's rounds of ammo, and the suicide vests they were carrying.
</i>
Hidden in the trunk of the car. You're being silly because you think that it is silly to carry a passport around.
</i>
Hidden in the trunk of the car. You're being silly because you think that it is silly to carry a passport around.
