Party's over in Brussels

Right before Christmas, the American Embassy issued an alert to all American citizens in the Brussels area, telling us to keep a low profile, avoid the Christmas markets and shopping centers, and be wary of using public transit in the city. The reason? Belgian police had arrested fourteen terror suspects and were concerned an attack was imminent.

And now terror fears have led to the cancellation of one of our favorite Belgian traditions: massive fireworks displays at midnight on New Year's Eve. Our house is situated so that we can watch the fireworks over Brussels from our third floor windows. It's always a spectacular display and one we enjoy with champagne glasses in hand.

Details from BBC News:

Terror fear douses Brussels party

Traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in the Belgian capital Brussels have been cancelled because of a security alert.

The Christmas market will close at 1800 instead of staying open all night, and even the ice rink will close early.

"We are still facing a potential threat," a spokesman for the Belgian capital said.

The alert follows police saying they had discovered a plot to free a jailed al-Qaeda suspect, Nizar Trabelsi. He has denied any such plot.

Last week police detained 14 people suspected of taking part in the alleged plot. But a judge said there was not enough evidence to hold any of them.

Trabelsi himself wrote to a Belgian newspaper to deny any attempt to carry out a jailbreak or terror attack.

The government raised security levels, with increased patrols at Brussels airport, transport systems and commercial centres, and says it sees no reason to lower them.

"We've reviewed the situation and the conclusion is that there is no reason to scale back the current level of (terror) alert," Jaak Raas of the government's Crisis Centre said.

Trabelsi, 37, is a Tunisian who came to Europe to play professional football in 1989.

He was arrested two days after the 9/11 attacks on targets in New York and Washington, and is now serving 10 years for plotting to blow up an air base in Belgium used by US personnel.

***

December 31, 2007

Comments

[furiousBall]

that stinks, well be safe and Happy New Years V

[Claudia]

Crap, that sucks, I'm sorry V. - - I remember those days well. Dad would get a phone call and all of a sudden everyone was quiet and Mom and Dad would go to their room and I wouldn't be allowed downtown. Be safe, alright??! And hey, all the more reason to make your OWN fireworks. ;)
xoxo
Happy New Year!

[V-Grrrl]

When E was a kid in Algeria, people gathered outside his house during the Seven Day War and began pelting it with rocks. His family was evacuated out the back door in the middle of the night and his mother's flawless (native) French helped smooth the way out of the country.

[platypus]

Oh that sucks. Like Claudia I've lived through that myself but it still angers me when these things get in the way of people living their lives. But of course that's the whole point and in any case safety comes first.

May you and your family all stay safe in 2008. Much love from my family to yours and thank you for all that you've given us in 2007.

[Peter]

Terror threats, canceled fireworks and a railway strike: the start of a far from perfect 2008.

On a personal note: I got my private, unwanted share of fireworks here in Antwerp.

A major electrical wiring failure somewhere in my walls blew out half of the appliances in my home. I'm spending New Year's day without heating, without power in all major rooms, no TV and a lot of spoilt, uncooked food, along with unopened bottles.

I’m typing this on a laptop connected to an AC extension cord generously provided by a neighbor. We found a way to temporarily get an internet connection.

For the time being, the party's over in Antwerp too..

[Shirley]

V-It's such a shame you don't get to have your spectacular show. It sounded like such a grand way to usher in the new year. Fourteen terror suspects is definitely not something to mess around with though. What a tale from E's childhood ... and that so many of the rest of you have similar stories. Wishing you, E, E-grrrl, and A all the very best for 2008 and hoping you'll find a memorable way to welcome the new year, if not today, in the near future.

Peter-Bummer on the wiring failure and its domino efect ... we take our beloved electricity so for granted (I could not have been a pioneer woman!). Really nice that your neighbors helped out. During Hurricane Isabel's aftermath, we ran a heavy duty extension cord to our neighbors for a week. :) Anyway, hope the issue can be resolved as quickly as possible.

[Kelby]

Wow. Praying safety for all concerned. I continue to grieve about the fact that life as we Americans know it, ended on 9/11. Things will never be the same again. A simple trip to a shopping mall or a football stadium gives us cause to worry these days. If I didn't know for sure that God is still on His throne, I think I would be too angry, weary and afraid to get out of bed in the mornings.

[V-Grrrl]

Peter,

No heat. No food. No electricity! I was really worried until I read you still had your laptop and an internet connection, then I knew you'd survive. : P

Seriously, so sorry. First your closet explodes and then your electrical lines go out with a bang. There's room at Chez V if you need a place to stay. : (

[Peter]

Thanks Shirley, thanks V!

I'm having cold lunch as much of the fresh food did not survive and I have no way to cook. Another neighbor got me a tiny heater running on oil, but it's cold here (10-15°C/50-60°F inside) as my ceiling is an upside down V, 17 feet high.

I'm trying to pass the time on this borrowed laptop and and extension cord (thank you, neighbors!), waiting for an electrician, tomorrow Jan 2nd.

You won't die in Belgium on Jan 1st, but all businesses are closed and even emergency assistance (like when the wiring explodes) is minimal.

I'll be back posting funny, uplifting comments as soon as this disaster zone turns back into a home.

[I would have taken you up on your offer if we lived closer Veronica, but at present I need to stay here to wait for the "emergency response" on Wednesday: an electrician who will break up my walls and leave me with a huge bill after ruining much of my home)

[V-Grrrl]

Well Peter, this will give your s/o a chance to get his tools out and do some manly work. That's supposed to be a COMFORTING thought. :P

[Peter]

LOL, V, your sense of humor could blow any of the remaining fuses in this house :-)

As a matter of fact, my s/o claimed his 'tools' were freezing (well, not much of an improvement here, they have been 'frozen' for ages) and went to my neighbors to ask for a hot shower. He got one and went straight back to bed with a grumpy face, as the house was "way too cold".

To put insult upon injury, his mother called and exclaimed loudly his room and bed at her place were 'warm and comfy", not to mention the free prime sports channels on cable.

I called my electrician again: one of his employees called in sick and he put me "on a waiting list, anytime this week, but not sure when" -
a "waiting list", with no heating while it's freezing - aaaargh!

I'm going to pick my poison: popping a Valium or drinking the booze left from my new-years-party-that-short-circuited-before-it-started.

The party may be over, but the Champagne sounds tempting ;-)