State Department World Wide Caution to Americans

Overtourism in places like Paris and the TSA is not getting paid and understaffed that's the worse with travel nowadays. But if you get a chance go to Giverny to see Monet's garden on a day trip from Paris

If anyone is in Hungary, and the need arises, I own a bomb shelter.

Naaa, follow the news, be aware of your surroundings, show extra caution around high value targets in locations with histories of problems and carry your passport and a few days of meds. And having a few loose diamonds with GIA grades etched on them or a few LMBA certified gold bars with you for emergencies might prove useful.

a few LMBA certified gold bars with you for emergencies might prove useful.

Half a dozen barrels of Brent Crude might be handy to have, but rather impractical to keep with you on vacation.

Jazz+travels

Thank you for the suggestion but I do not think there will be time during this trip. My first time in Paris, only 7 days. There will not even be enough time to see all that I want to see in Paris.

well I just realized that worldwide includes the United States. It includes where we Americans are at home.

Mr E

Could I suggest that you turn your bomb shelter into a hotel room.

Travelers love staying in unusual places.

GerryM

Had to look up Brent Crude.

Originally thought that maybe it was an alcoholic beverage

Originally thought that maybe it was an alcoholic beverage

Don't drink it whatever you do! :)

You'd probably get quite a good rate against the Euro if you need some currency, but it may not fit in your hand luggage.

Bostonphil, if you want to come market it, its all yours. I posted some pictures that might change your mind.

As for the advisory covering the US, I believe they did put emphasis elsewhere but did not exclude the US.

I am a bit of a flag waver, but on a lot of subjects, better to be inconspicuous, observe and learn. In the US I would be nervous living close to a Jewish house of worship ... but more so in a few European cities. In my current European extended vacation city I do live very nearly across from a Jewish house of worship and dont give it a second thought.

So if you have concerns maybe some research will help. If not, then I get that too. Its s messy world.

There's always a possibility of revenge terrorism but it's no more likely in Europe than in the USA.

Be careful about what you get off random social media channels - there are a lot of bad actors exaggerating the risk of crime/terrorism in European cities for ideological reasons.

the arson attack on 4 Jewish ambulances in London (Golders Green) over night has been turned over to the counter-terror police

This State Department “worldwide alert” doesn’t apply to the United States, but that is only for the bureaucratic reason that Homeland Security, rather than State, has jurisdiction over any domestic alerts.

Nigel sorry to hear that happened. In the minds of the ill-informed it needlessly taints the reputation of a magnificent country.

Thank you to everyone for your posts.

We are living in very complicated times but maybe all times have been very complicated.

well I just realized that worldwide includes the United States. It includes where we Americans are at home.

Perhaps we should all go to the Moon.

Fun fact: statistically the most dangerous places most of us are likely to be in during our lives are: our own cars; our own kitchen; our own bathroom; our own garden.

Trelawney, so you are telling those that think travel is risky right now that before going to the bathroom they should notify next of kin, bring extra cash and their passport and have a Plan B if the toilet doesnt flush?

I love the gold bars idea but worry about straining my back...is platinum lighter than gold?

Thats the beauty, gold is $4000 an ounce. You dont need much. You just need in a form that is trusted without testing. Gold coins on the might be recognizable and better trusted for exchange. That's the route I would go. Krugerrands maybe? In Texas ammunition has better value than gold. In russia Vodka i think.

Wait!!! Just remember those Mexican gold 20 peso coins left to me by my dad!!!!
How many would it be prudent to bring along? (I like fine dining)

Trelawney, so you are telling those that think travel is risky right now that before going to the bathroom they should notify next of kin, bring extra cash and their passport and have a Plan B if the toilet doesnt flush?

No. Obvs.

It’s more a riff on risk and how humans don’t assess it very well.

My cat always likes to be notified when I'm going to the kitchen or bathroom. He usually accompanies me to make sure I'm safe.

The State Department has LONG reminded me of the little boy who cried wolf..... Everyplace is dangerous and we should all stay home

Honestly there's no reason groups would not target locations in the US either.

It’s more a riff on risk and how humans don’t assess it very well.

And you made an excellent and correct point.

Few people read enough or understand enough or are well informed enough to make a good decision on the subject. If one realizes that one can try and compensate for it; but many just run with what ever they got from the biased information that their side of the spectrum tunes into.