The silence on the Grote Markt feels unreal

brussels - The Grote Markt looks unreal empty Tuesday afternoon. But what stands out most is the eerie silence. The tourists, they are piecemeal, take pictures or selfies. But they seem dumbfounded by the attacks of the Brussels Capital have made a besieged fortress.

Three friends from China buy chocolate near the Manneken Pis. They know what happened this morning at Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek Metro Station.,, We follow it through our phones on Chinese news, 'says one. Or are they afraid?,, Yes, a little. We will soon go back to our hotel. Tomorrow we want to travel to Luxembourg, but I do not know if the trains will run. ''

It is a visit to a European city that they will not soon forget. Brussels seems paralyzed, museums are closed and most shops have closed their doors. Outside tufts tourists lack the normal shoppers. It seems all deposits in the heart of the city in a car-free Sunday. The silence is only interrupted by sirens blaring, sometimes close, sometimes farther away.

But the market for tourists passing through.,, We were at eight open, then it is of course still quiet. But at nine o'clock, when the news became known, it was suddenly almost stopped on the street, 'says a saleswoman Caramel amp; Chocolat. Afraid she is not.,, They do, 'she nods to a colleague, who helps a thrifty customer.,, After the attacks in Paris was here a few days extremely quiet. I fear that this will be worse. ''

Also souvenir shop Lace Gallery at Stoofstraat has a bad day.,, Nobody does, '' said Abdel owner.,, If this but do not take too long. '' Ever since the attacks of Paris patrol armed soldiers in the streets of Brussels.,, But '' thinks the souvenir seller,, it does not change. It remains dangerous. What do you do about people who go shooting with Kalashnikovs or lay bombs. Yes, I'm afraid. ''

At the local tourist tourists are certainly not wiser. The door is locked, a placard reports only:,, Due to exceptional circumstances is closed Visit Flanders Visitor Information Center. The crisis center Home Affairs advises everyone to remain temporarily in his / her hotel or residence. ''