My husband and I were very excited about our first Europe trip - a riverboat trip from Antwerp to Amsterdam in July. Today I read the following: "Belgian police are holding 20 youths of North African descent after two nights of rioting in the country's second city, Antwerp". Husband was a little hesitant to even take the trip, so now, I'm wondering, should we go??? PS, we're seniors.

Usually, riots are in outlying parts of the city, not the touristy parts (people still want that money coming in). Plus, you'll be on a boat, right? They're not going to swim out into the river to riot on your boat. Definitely go.

Be glad they've taken the trouble-makers into custody and out of your way - Go! Go! Go!

You should monitor news sources... and cancel if you ever read a headline story that starts out with this sentence...

&quot;Belgian police are holding 20 <i><u>seniors</u></i> of North <i><u>American</u></i> descent ...&quot;



Best wishes,

Rex

I fail to see what being &quot;seniors&quot; (however you are defining that term) has to do with anything. Safety is safety regardless of age and I totally agree with Grsing. So, there was some &quot;riotous&quot; activity; doesn't mean there will be unrest when you are there.

I am assuming the inclusion of the detainees ethnic background in the story is relevant; do you think if these folks were White the story would have described them as having &quot;European background&quot;??????

Now I am THOROUGHLY embarrassed. The article I quoted from was written in Nov. 2002!! I had read the info in John Leo's editorial column today (March 21) and so did a internet search. I didn't pay attention to the date of the article on the internet...I thought i was reading new news! My apologies....

Well then, you're good to go!!!

Yes you should go. Imagine if you were European reading an American newspaper about the shootings, the crimes, etc. But you know that is not the norm and is not happening everywhere to everyone. GO!

LOL!!!

Thousands killed and wounded in Gettysburg!

Better stay away from Pennsylvania!