Trains being cancelled - Refugees?
 

I haven't had TV for over a month due to remodeling. My neighbor just called me to say that she heard "all" (I doubt it) trains in France had been cancelled so they can transport refugees. OK, so what is the truth? I googled it and didn't find anything except on the train problems with refugees trying to go through the chunnel. Anyone?

Not true. No trains have been cancelled in France. Your ignorant neighbor is confusing France with Czechy, Austria and Germany.

And the Eurostar is not cancelled either.

It seems your neighbor may be a bit confused. Some trains in Hungary are stopped for now because of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which some seem oblivious of. Watch the news and you may learn a bit more.

<I haven't had TV for over a month >
But you have a computer...

And the Eurostar is not cancelled either.>

but it has been in the recent pass due to a mob of refugees at the tunnel entrance - small chance but it could always be disrupted.

And yes France has stayed out of the refugee crisis somehow.

exactly, you can read lots of news online, in fact, it is more recent. For breaking coverage, it is better. I also listen to NPR news a lot, and they've mentioned these train issues. It's really a problem with the trains to Germany, I sure wouldn't want to be on vacation there right now (Munich). There have been problems in Hungary, Greece and Denmark also.

But if you had train tickets, I would check with that company's rail website to see current news. They should list them.

this is a summary
http://www.interrail.eu/news/travel-...ugee-situation

There was some problem with the Eurostar tunnel, also, and some of those refugees up in Calais being in it, as I recall.

If you don't have something nice to say , it is best to say nothing at all OR just reply without any snark.

It does seem that there are increasing rail disruptions in the EU, or adjacent countries. But perhaps watching (or reading online) actually makes it seem more widespread than it is. But today it seems there are issues in Austria and Germany? as well. The other week there was definatly trouble with trains not being able to go thru the chunnel. And some reports from Italy at one point?

It dosn't seem that many posters are reporting troulbe they have seen firsthand, except for in Budapest but IMO there does seem to be increasing disruptions of rail travel thruout the EU.

I am currently in France (Strasbourg). I just bought a train ticket for tomorrow. I have no doubt that the train will run.

The problems are further east. The illegal economic migrants (they ceased being refugees when they left the first safe country) are trying to reach Germany or Sweden, where they expect free housing, education and health care (one of them was quoted saying that in the NYT).

One of the blogs I follow is by people currently traveling in Serbia, but while they have certainly seen a lot of migrants (and been moved by their situation), they still seem to be getting around. If I were headed for Hungary, Austria or eastern Germany I would have some concerns, principally about cross-border transit, but not for France.

Thank you all for clearing this up.

What's snarky about pointing out that if you can post here, you can check the news online, which would be a better source than the TV anyway?

I find that more useful than two paragraphs that begin with "it seems".

I believe it was the "ignorant neighbor" comment that is being referred to as snarky. And I am quite surprised by who posted that. Never thought of him in that way...maybe just a bad day?

Germany is about to implement border restrictions, and Hungary has the fence up. It's clear that even the European countries with the best intentions are becoming overwhelmed by the sheer number of refugees. Hundreds of thousands are a lot to absorb in a short period of time.

I am very surprised that anyone could find the term "ignorant neighbor" offensive. I thought it was a very delicate way to refer to a person spreading misinformation.

<And I am quite surprised by who posted that. Never thought of him in that way...maybe just a bad day?>

One of many such days, then. I don't find it surprising.

Being "ignorant" isn't all that unusual.