Travel Advice

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent me a message last week; a travel advice, or rather a change in the travel advice. I cannot quite remember what the previous one was, but I assume the current one is a little more stringent than the last one. And as you can see, there aren't a whole lot of places I can go to these days, according to my government.

 

 

Green indicates it is safe. Yellow is warning that there are ‘security issues’, orange areas should be avoided, unless absolutely necessary, and red areas should not be entered.

I went to buy some things for the dog yesterday, and ventured into the red area in southern Beirut. As you can see, I am still ere. The reason why they’ve published this (I assume) is in case of a problem in those areas, the Dutch government (and in this case, the Dutch embassy) is not going to save your save your sorry ass, because you have been warned.

 

Through my work, I also receive the American travel advisories.

'The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon because of ongoing safety and security concerns.'

They're either more careful with their citizens, or their citizens have more to fear than the peaceful Dutch (If you want to know why the Dutch are so peaceful, it is because we chocolate sprinkles on bread every morning, among other things). For those who want a dose of that, it's for sale in the TSC Ashrafieh. Mind you, I am convinced that it is safer in Lebanon  than in Stockton, California.

 

There is no real purpose to this post, other than that I hope you will enjoy your holiday.