Threat Brussels allows some tourists cold

brussels - Despite the rain and the increased terror threat in Brussels Search hundreds of tourists and day trippers Saturday still just the tourist attractions of the Belgian capital on.

" Actually we have not even thought of ", said a Dutch woman about the heightened terror alert. She "does" with her ​​daughter a day Brussels after she dropped off a family member at the airport of Brussels.

" However, we're seeing everywhere nice policemen and soldiers with big guns ", she said at the Galeries Saint-Hubert, a covered shopping mall in the center. " But yes, you can soon as you get home also come under a car. You have to go somewhere to die. "

For example many museums and attractions remain close will not hurt them. " We make a nice day of it and catch the train back tonight. We have a day out and still want to do all sorts of fun things. "

On the Grote Markt, where just a huge Christmas tree is decorated, it is less crowded than usual. Anyway dozens of tourists dressed in ponchos and armed with umbrellas selfies on the main square. For Manneken Pis flashes as always the cameras. At both places are soldiers and police.

That is also the case with other strategic and busy places in the city. In the pedestrian area at the center every hundred meters military vehicles and walk around armed patrols.

Some shopping make a desolate impression. Numerous retailers have decided to keep their business. In cases that are open is certainly not the storm. A book and wine merchant that not many customers have not seen muses are about to close his case. " I do not make me crazy. " Despite herfstkou people scurrying ten languages ​​on the daily flea market on the Vossenplein

Many restaurants and lunch spots appear less filled than other Saturdays. The bars protrude not matter. The waffle vendors and chocolate shops will run no record turnovers. The car seems to be no less than different, but that may have to do with the disused subway.

Authorities have raised the threat level to four, the maximum level, due to concrete indications of an attack. The advice is places where many people come to avoid. The security measures remain in force for the time being until Sunday afternoon.