emma

Hello all, <BR>I will be taking my first trip to Europe in about 3 wks. I will be visiting London,Paris and Rome. My question is this: Have any of you considered postponing your trip to Europe due to the crisis in the Middle East? I have to confess, it is making me a little nervous.

Robin

It's really difficault to draw parallels, but I had a trip scheduled for France in 1989, when Iraq had just invaded Kuwait. I was going with my mom, and we hemmed and hawed about whether we were foolish to go. Ultimately we went ahead with our plans, and had no negative experiences at all. I think in Europe you will not have any trouble. The main risk is one we probably all face here and abroad-- that of random terrorism, on a plane or otherwise. I guess I look at it as a tiny chance that I can't totally eliminate even by staying home.

Al

The most dangerous part of any journey these days is getting from your home to your nearest airport. If you pay attention to what you read in the papers or see on TV, the thugs win. Emma, you are made of tougher stuff than that!

elvira

Ditto Al and Robin - we went to Europe during Desert Storm, and Northern Ireland after the truce was broken. As Al pointed out, the most dangerous part is getting from your house to the airport (have you SEEN some of those drivers?). <BR> <BR>Unless all hell breaks loose, and the State Department advises no travel anywhere, then don't worry. Just as a paranoid precaution, I have a jacket on my passport so no one can tell by the cover my nationality. Mostly it protects me from other Americans "oh you're American whereya from? I got a brother in LA, maybe you know him".

Angela

Sorry but I cannot quite understand this question of "is it safe in EUROPE when there is trouble in "The MIDDLE EAST". The continents are thousands of miles apart. Terrorists can quite as easily strike Americans in their own country as they can anywhere. During the Gulf war many Americans cancelled their trips to LONDON. Please can anyone explain this phenomenon to me. I could understand cancelling a trip to Israel itself, but to Europe?? I wouldn't consider cancelling a trip to the States yet because of the gun culture there that would be statistically more dangerous for me than going to the continent or London. I ask with true curiosity because I find it difficult to understand NOT to be argumentative or rude. <BR>Angela <BR>In summary to Emmas' question the answer of course would be a resounding no ;-) <BR>

Robin

I don't think it's a stupid question, even though I wouldn't ultimately let it stop me. For reasons exhaustively outlined on other threads, Anericans know they stand out. And if they stand out to ordinary law-abiding Europeans, then they stand out to would-be terrorists. There ARE occasional reactions in Europe to events in the Middle East-- just a week or so ago they were attacking synagogues in Paris! And for a more extreme example, can you say Leon Klinghoffer? The point is that it's reasonable to be cautious and ask appropriate questions, then go with maybe a little more sensitivity than usual.

Marisa

We just returned from Europe and saw an increased amount of security at the airports and also religious centers, especially synagouges. I was nervous but I didn't let it spoil my trip. We just listened to the news to see if any warnings were being posted for American travelers. As the other posts have suggested, the scariest part of the trip was going to and from the airports.

michele

Emma, <BR> <BR>I agree with Elvira and Al. I almost cancelled my trip last year to Lebanon and Syria (right after an Israeli bombing mission in Beirut). I went anyway and had a great trip. Listen, I've lived in LA for twenty years, ten of which I taught in the public school system, the odds of being harmed overseas is far less. Also, when things flair up in the Middle East extra security is visible in Europe. So, have a good time. <BR> <BR>Michele <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

alan

Hi! We were in Istanbul when the troubles in the mid-east began. We were unaware of any problem. When I finally read an American paper, we became more cautious though continued to enjoy our stay.The State Dept. has a web site that list dangerous places, that is a good place to check. The only problem we ever had was about 10 years ago in Paris when we were at an outdoor cafe and my wife started to tear and sneeze. Someone had set off a tear gas bamb next door at an Iranian travel office. Be careful but you are probably as safe there as you would be in New York City. <BR>alan

Thyra

Emma et al, most certainly this is a valid question. A great many people, (including my parents) have altered vacation plans due to "trouble" in areas that may or may not be anywhere near their destination. For myself, having travelled during the Persian Gulf war (airline tickets were $179 <BR>each way to London since no one was travelling, how could I resist?), during the conflict in Kosovo, we saw planes taking off for Kosovo while taking a train through Southern Italy, and just having returned from Greece, while this whole Middle East thing started, I can honestly report that we have never encountered anything more unusual then increased security, which actually makes me feel better though it slow down airport lines. This last week we tried to stay informed about the tensions in the Middle East, and did in fact notice heightened security especially at Heathrow, our flight was delayed for half an hour since someone had checked a bag and failed to get on the airplane and my father in law was patted down in Athens Airport, which, from what I gather is not standard proceedure, but as I said these things tend to make me feel MORE secure rather then less. During the Persian Gulf war however my boyfriend and I were approached by a very stern armed military person while in the vicinity of the Prime Ministers residence in London, we had stopped to take a picture of Big Ben, but due to the war the security was much tighter then usual, they were polite but very insistant that we were too close to very important government buildings, ( I have been back to that same spot and never had a similar experience so I assume this was due to the conflict). One other thing, at the Embassy in Athens this week, for example there were, (according to our guide) twice as many heavily armed guards posted as usual, but I believe that is the case for all the US Government Buildings abroad during any conflict. In short, I would not hesistate to travel during time of Intenational conflict, though it does tend to make me feel a little less free spirited then usual, maybe more alert and aware that there is a potential for added danger to Americans, however I would never cancel or change my plans to visit a particular place unless there was a government warning specifically advising Americans to do so.

Angela

Thankfully its standard procedure at UK airports to delay take off if there is unclaimed baggage in the hold. This has happened to me a few times. Armed police are also year-round at the Prime Ministers residence. <BR>The Archilli Lauro and the Tear bomb are very extreme examples (but how awful though - that was pretty bad timing to be right next to a tear bomb as it went off!) <BR>Since writing my last posting I have noticed police presence at a tiny out of the way synogogue here in Munster (Germany) when I went out for a coffee last night. I know that security is always stepped up in the UK around Israeli/Jewish interests. I have also seen on the BBC website today that Americans in Indonesia are being told/warned to leave within 48hrs by Muslim extremists. <BR>So sorry if I "seemed" by my question to accuse Emma of being silly it wasn't my intention - It's unfortunate that Americans seem to be more of a target wherever they travel even though it may not be "geographically" near the area in question and thus need to take more care than other tourists. Thankfully the chances of being involved in an incident (especially in Europe) are very low, it would be a great shame to cancel longed for trips. <BR>Angela <BR>

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