Yuletide Ferris wheel

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Christmas angels

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Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Change in Brussels Security Level

Security Message for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Brussels, Belgium

December 7, 2012

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Change in Brussels Security Level 

The Belgian Government has raised its overall threat level from 2 (moderate) to 3 (high) in anticipation of the release of a controversial film on December 14, 2012.  Belgian law enforcement authorities have provided assurances that there are no/no direct threats to U.S. interests and that the threat level was increased as a prudent and preventative measure.

Nevertheless, U.S. citizens are advised to review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Belgium enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov.  STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy to contact you in an emergency.  If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy. 

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution.  Read the Country Specific Information for Belgium.  For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.  You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Brussels can be reached at +32-2-811-4000. The fax number for the Consular Section is +32-2-811-4546.   We are located at Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Régent, B-1000 Brussels.  The Embassy’s website includes consular information and the most recent messages to the U.S. citizen community in Belgium.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate is (+32) (0) 2-811-4000 and the Belgian emergency service (police, fire, etc.) number is 112.

Rundown fountain

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/SsSYXjsURm/

Derelict building

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/SsSHDzMURe/

Christmas decorations

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Another dark, morose day in Antwerp.

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/SXgC3LMUUW/

I didn't know Utopia had a time zone.

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Stockholm, Sweden

Last week (October 29th - November 3rd) Jan and I went to Stockholm, Sweden for another Scandinavian adventure. What a unique adventure it was. Stockholm is a quirky and interesting city. After having lived in the graffiti paradise that is Antwerp/Belgium, one of the first thing we noticed was the extreme lack of the "artform" in Stockholm. One can only assume that there are severe penalties for tagging/defacing buildings; whatever the reason, it was nice to have a break from the visual assault. It is also a very clean city, something that I got the impression Stockholmers take a great deal of pride in.

Stockholm is a relatively expensive city, especially if you want to drink beer or alcoholic beverages of any kind; which luckily we don't. The cost of living in Sweden is much higher than the rest of the Western world, but so is the standard of living. The metro, or the T-Bahn, runs absolutely on time. People generally are pleased with the services they receive from their socialist (Ooooo, scary!) government.

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy, so they still have a king, Carl XVI Gustaf. You'll see some pictures of the outside of the Royal Palace in the slide show and the video below. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take any pictures inside the castle. Sad, I know.

There are over 80 different museums and attractions to see in Stockholm. Much more than fives days could cover. We tried to get to as many as possible, but for some reason, most of the museums open at 10 or 11am and close around 4:30 or 5. Not a lot of time to get in and out. I think we got most of them covered however.

Please enjoy the pictures and the videos. I've embedded a slide show for you, just click on a picture to see a bigger version. I've also set all the pictures to music and made a YouTube video...if you've got 1/2 an hour to spare. If you've got any questions about any of the pictures or videos, please email me and ask, or better yet comment in the comments section and I'll post a reply. ENJOY!

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Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Old Timey Stockholm Depiction

It's a demon or sutin

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