My family and I are in the planning stages of what will be our first trip abroad. We are looking to visit the "Old World" in the summer of 2002 and in addition to the"biggies" of London and Paris we are looking for a spot to view some cute locals participating in their old-world way of life. We have heard that Barvaria is cute and rustically quaint, but I have some misgivings. Is it safe for an outsider to travel in this country??? We want the kids to see how those less fortunate than us here in the good ol' US of A live, but have concerns regarding the past history of these barvarians. Do y'all think it's safe nowadays or is still somewhat akin to the days of Conan? <BR>Any info would be helpful! <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Missy

Probably the most poorly constructed, blatant troll I've ever seen. <BR> <BR>When you go back to school in few weeks, Missy, pay attention to your lessons so you don't look such a fool in the future. <BR> <BR>twenj

Missy, <BR> <BR>Hopefully you're not kidding, and I'm not wasting my itme in responding. <BR> <BR>I would imagine that you will be sorely disappointed to learn that Bavaria has a very high standard of living. Siemens, BMW and others such as AGFA guarantee that. <BR> <BR>Having been to Munich six or seven times, I can assure you that it is safe, the "locals" are friendly and they do not wish to mention their difficult past any more than you want to hear it. <BR> <BR>All in all, Bavaria is one of the best places in Europe to visit!

Missy, get your facts straight, please! It's BARBARIANS, not Bavarians!

While Bavarians aren't barbarians, the word <I>vandal</I> does have its origin in Germany. <BR> <BR>From Merriam-Webster's... <BR> <BR><I>Vandal</I>. <BR>Etymology: Latin Vandalii (plural), of Germanic origin <BR>Date: 1555 <BR>1. <I>capitalized</I>: a member of a Germanic people who lived in the area south of the Baltic between the Vistula and the Oder, overran Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the 4th and 5th centuries A.D., and in 455, sacked Rome.