Thoughts on Traveling to Europe

We have two nights left in Paris and one full day of exploring in this city of 2.24 million people. (London 8.67 million, Brussels 1.14 and Cologne 1.02) In other words we have traveled and toured in some very heavily populated areas of the world. We have moved about by plane, train, subway/metro, tour buses and on foot. We have been out and about in the cities early in the morning and late at night, during morning going to work hours, evening rush hour and night entertainment hours. Our bodies and belongings have been scanned and waned. I have never felt offended, scared, worried or threatened.

police in Brussels

There has been a police and military presence everywhere: airports, train stations, bus and metro stations, busy tourist locations. They have moved about in groups of 4 and 5, 2 and 3 often with large weapons. We felt they were more present in Brussels, but then again that is the center of the European Union, the economic and political union of 28 European countries.

policeman in London

French military near the Eiffel Tower

As we left a tourist hot spot in Brussels on Wednesday morning, two armed soldiers joined the growing crowd, standing on the corner watching the people. Here in Paris I noticed they came to Notre Dame as the crowd grew for entrance to tour the building. They stood and watched. Again heavily armed. I have not seen any women soldiers. I did notice a few women policeman. I did not feel threatened or concerned when the soldiers or police made their appearance.

In every city we have been treated with respect and courtesy by staff and workers. We have had no trouble communicating in English. Almost everywhere there is an English translation for the major foreign words. The menus have had an English translation for the listed items. When we have not known the value of the coins, clerks kindly take what they need out of our hands and count it for us, and thanking us when the transaction is complete. Waitstaff has been surprised and gracious when we leave a small tip ~ a wonderful surprise. Just as we try to carefully listen to the natives speak English to us, we try to speak English slower when trying to communicate.

While waiting for a tour bus pickup at the opera house in Paris, 3 young ladies approached us, asking some questions. (Yes, we looked like tourists!) A native man and women approached us and them and told the girls to leave us alone. The girls were obviously pickpocket experts. We were surprised and thankful the natives would warn us and chase the girls away. Also that morning as we were trying to find the stop for our tour bus, we were unsure of the correct street. An older woman saw us looking at the map and discussing which was the correct way. She did not speak English well, but she and OFD were able to communicate enough to know we wanted the opera house. The very kind lady walked with us to the correct corner and pointed to where we needed to be. She did not have to do that. She obviously walked out of her way to help us. Just two examples of the kindness and courtesy we have experienced on this adventure.

Seeing all the wonderful things we have seen on this adventure has made it a great trip. But the respect, safety and courtesy we have experienced has been the icing on the cake. 

I promise more photos in the next post, but I wanted you to know how I really felt about traveling abroad.