Terrorist Activity in Antwerp?

What do you mean you are not an alarmist?

Ohio has a pop. of less than 12 million people
There were 455 murders in the last year available
A murder rate of 3.9 murders per 100,000 people.

The Netherlands has a pop. of 17 million people
There were 145 murders in the last year available
A murder rate of 0.9 murders per 100,000 people.

Statistically you are 4 times more likely to be killed when you are in Ohio, than in the Netherlands.

If you cancel your trip, the terrorists have won.

Thank you and Amen Roberto. If someone worries about going to Europe then they probably shouldn't. I am not planning on canceling Barcelona this summer. I look forward to my European vacations all year and will not cancel unless some unforseen incident happens in my personal life.

We don't plan on canceling (we haven't made any firm plans yet). We ARE going to Europe, just didn't know if maybe Antwerp should come off the list. I'm really not very on top of the news. But, someone mentioned a trial, which seems like it could make that specific area a particular target. Just wanted to put some feelers out there. I don't generally worry about what "could" happen for many of the reasons already stated. I always feel like the chances of me being in a certain place at the exact wrong time, are slim. Just didn't know if there was a caution against travel until this trial is over. Again, I"m not really "in the know" politically.

Thanks for bolstering my resolve to continue planning!!

Hi Jennifer. I think you were reasonable to ask your question and I think sometimes people are a little harsh in how they comment. However, the jist of what was said before is true. We hear about the ugly terrorist information on the news, but we don't hear about the everyday wonderful and safe things and both places are quite safe. If terrorism is something that concerns you, one thing you can do is go to the travel.state.gov website and register your travel dates and locations. You can read their about travel warnings and countries/cities that might be considered unsafe and your name will also go in their data base and you can get travel warnings by e-mail should trouble arise. Should something unthinkable happen (highly unlikely) your name is on record with the embassies of the countries you visit should you need assistance. I did that when my daughter and I travelled to Europe and Russia a few years ago. I'll do it again before I return to Europe in the spring. I don't have any fears about traveling (I have them about flying!) and I will be in Belgium and Holland in the late spring.

Have a great time on your trip!
Lisa

For travel alerts for US travelers, see the US Dept. of State Travel Alerts.

Thats the website I listed in previous post.

Although the Dutch government has raised its national terrorism threat level from “limited” to “substantial”, that wouldn't stop me from travelling there. Roberto provided an excellent perspective of the risks. The likelihood of an attack at the precise time and place you're there is probably quite remote. If the trial is taking place at the time you're there, the security will probably be extremely heavy.

Thank you for the kind replies........I appreciate the advice. I've always said, "what are the chances I'm going to be in the exact wrong place at the wrong time?" Not enough to overly worry about things. I just knew that they raised the terrorist alert and wanted to hear opinions from the experienced travelers on this site. Thanks for all your input......I'm excited to continue my planning. Now, please read my next thread because I need a different piece of advice. :)

jen,

...I appreciate the advice. I've always said, "what are the chances I'm going to be in the exact wrong place at the wrong time?"

if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, i would head out and get a lottery ticket too.

you cant live your life by "what ifs" but you won't do much. Its good to be aware of it and the consequences of doing so, but you have to weigh your options as with every day life.

happy trails.

I was just thinking the same thing as Phil. Reports of pickpockets, etc., are often overblown because you only hear the bad stuff. People don't regularly report when they have NOT been pickpocketed. You have no idea what other high-profile trials might be going on anywhere you are that might cause reaction. But the chances are VERY remote that you would be anywhere near where something was happening. And, of course, if you found yourself in a bad spot you could always leave.

And the winner for most astute post of the year goes to Phil. But Phil, let's not forget the endless warnings to newbies about the throngs of scam artists who have partnered up with your garden variety pickpockets - ring scammers, friendship bracelet scammers, petition girls, luggage stealing bands of Roma who cause dramatic diversions at train stations just to steal your Rick Steves' Convertible Carry-On filled with dirty underwear, the cleaning staff who are sure to crack open your hotel room safe and abscond with your valuables if you carelessly choose to only tote a regular purse with a day's worth of spending money in it. My very favorite "warning" this year was the fantastic story of the couple who was pick pocketed not only once, but twice in the span of 20 minutes (the 2nd time just mere minutes after talking with the police about being pick pocketed the first time) until they eventually ran screaming from the metro station.

Maybe Tilley and Pacsafe will expand their offerings by making travel vests, money belts and day packs out of Kevlar to deflect terrorist bullets AND pickpockets.

Jennifer, only you can answer whether you'll be truly comfortable traveling to Belgium and Amsterdam. No one on this board knows you and some people are just generally anxious and fearful when it comes to anything that might push them the slightest bit outside of their daily routine and comfort level. I've traveled in Belgium and the Netherlands and feel perfectly comfortable there and would not let what is going on deter me, but then again, I live in a city where we had our own terrorist attack and know that you just have to keep living your life and go on about your business. Good luck with whatever you decide is right for you.

You guys are absolutely correct. And we need to get the webmaster to get this dribble off this fine site:
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/tourist-scams
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/outsmarting-pickpockets
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-blogs/more/2005-andy