I was deeply saddened to see this post (and can confidently say that 99.99% of Spaniards will be too). The ceasefire has only been in place since March 2006 and it is tragic that it will not continue. I have lived in Spain for almost 18 years now and have never been physically affected by any such attack - throughout these 18 years tourists have visted the country in ever increasing numbers discovering the marvellous cities, its culture and its people. Please do not forsake the Spanish people because of a threat - otherwise, to put it simply - the terrorists win. You will love Barcelona, as have the many millions of visitors in the past and as will do, the many millions of visitors in the future!!
Posts: 193 | Location: Spain | Registered: 21 August 2006
please do not overreact to something that if even a truce has been going for years and years; it has never stopped tourists nor expats moving to Spain. Has anybody stop going to New York city? I am going there in july.
We will be in Barcelona for a day or two in Sept.......
E.T.A. is exclusively concerned with Basque separatism, and I would not worry about going anywhere in Catalonia, whose own separatist politics make it a highly unlikely it would be a target for Basque terrorism. Historically E.T.A. has only attacked extensions and symbols of the Spanish government (i.e., army bases, police stations, post offices), not places used by the general population and not tourists. That policy was thrown into question by the last E.T.A. attack, a small bomb planted in the long-term parking area of the new showcase air terminal at the Madrid airport. It was timed to go off when it was unlikely to hurt anyone. However, two people were sleeping in a parked car and were killed.
My only hesitation about visiting Spain following today's announcment would be some hestitation about visiting the Basque region -- which is a shame, since San Sebastian is my favorite place in Spain, hands down.
I agree with bobbix totally, it isnt really a threat for a traveller. ETA are normally very careful to just make a point and not hurt anyone, its nothing like islamic terrorism.
Thank you all for your reassuring comments. I have read some info on this whole issue and agree that it really is quite sad that the ceasefire will end.....
It certainly wouldn't stop me from going, but it does make you think more about what you would do and where you might go....and how you get from one place to another. We will just try to be more cognizant of our surroundings.
And you're probably more than right about the bear attacks here in BC.....I live in the city and we not only have bears, but the odd cougar too! And some pretty erratic drivers that would be more likely to cause serious injury than any of the above!!
As a postscript, I spent my dinner hour talking with someone who has followed E.T.A. for years, and who had read E.T.A.'s statements today. He noted that E.T.A. has now said it will target people as part of their terror campaign, and reminded me that in previous terror campaigns they had struck a Barcelona market.
I would feel remiss if I did not give other travelers that information.
All that said, I asked this person if he would cancel travel plans to Spain and he said no, invoking recent remarks by Mayor Bloomberg of New York that getting hit by lightening is far more likely than suffering a terrorist attack. (Yesterday, the plane I was on from Portland, Ore, was almost struck by lightning.)
People should make their individual travel choices based on their tolerance for risk (small in this case) and with full information. The State Department is a tool for helping to assess travel risks, as well as carefully reading newspapers.
Truly though it is a beautiful place. We have the mountains, the ocean, golf courses galour, you name it you can do it here.
We have travelled throughout the province quite a bit, but since the kids don't do holidays with us anymore (airfare for 2 is a heck of a lot less than airfare for 4) , we can expand our travels more and there is so much to see, so many places to go......sigh.
Our gulf islands are absolutely spectacular (and they get much less rain than the mainland).
We also have our own "wine country" in the Okanagan. Some pretty good wines too!
We're only in Barcelona for one full day really, but we're taking the train up to France and I guess if I'm going to think about "terrorist" things, that is it. Hopefully they'll reconsider the ceasefire or find more peaceful ways to deal with their issues. It's really a shame....if we hadn't already made these plans, I think I would likely reconsider, just simply because this is something you really don't want in the back of your mind on vacation. Not that things can't happen anywhere.......
again folks do not hit the panic button on a news ETA has been around since 1964 officially. Many bombings later; Spain is number 2 in tourists in the world.
Topic Closed
may the show go on!!!
