Comments on: Responding to Terrorist Attacks: A Traveler’s Perspective, Moving Forward from Fear

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 16:14:46 +0000

A beautiful and valuable post, Audrey. Thanks.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 01:30:13 +0000

Very nice article. Too bad things like that can happen. But we need to move on, and pray that it would not happen again.

By: Dee

Dee — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 19:46:10 +0000

Great article, Audrey. I agree with everything you say — especially the part about connecting with the ordinary people we meet every day. When we experience a smile, a nice comment, someone holding a door for us, —
just being friendly in general, it can set the mood for the whole day. We really do need each other — no matter race or religion!!

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 21:17:36 +0000

In reply to Svenja. Svenja, I'm so sorry to hear of the cancelled trip for the tenth graders to Paris planned for next February. How horrible for the students and their parents. And really disappointed that the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs told the school to cancel this. So frustrating, when what we need are more such exchanges and opportunities for learning...not canceling trips because of fear.

By: Svenja

Svenja — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 11:48:08 +0000

Totally agree!
By definition, terror aims at striking fear into people, so when you reach the point of being too afraid to live your life the way you want to – traveling to all those amazing places, enjoying the world – the terrorists have reached their goal. Don’t ever let that happen!

Last week we were officially told (by the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs) to cancel the 10th grade school trip to Paris (planned for February 2016), which was extremely disappointing for our students and their parents – none of whom had even considered opting out.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 13:46:20 +0000

I totally agree! Hence why I wrote a similar article to this last week… Great stuff 🙂

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:34:50 +0000

In reply to Don Noll. Thanks, Don, for your thoughtful comment and highlighting the upside of limitation. It helps us focus where we can actually make a difference, and that individual and small actions truly do add up for greater impact. And yes, sometimes the issues that will have the biggest long-term impact on humanity and our way of life are not highlighted or addressed in the discussions about "security."

By: Don Noll

Don Noll — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:52:14 +0000

In the closed loop of violence, violence always begets more of the same, with all sources usually justifying their choice as that of a reaction to their adversaries. The irony is that in using violence one attempts to teach its futility and ineffectiveness by employing it, and the never ending cycle is sold as understandable. 9/11 was an opportunity to step outside of this loop, and the consequences of not doing so are now evident, with few voices offering an alternative narrative to conventional behavior. Thanks Audrey, for urging us to confront our
fears, and to feel the freeing effect of acknowledging the many things in daily life that we do not control. Perhaps we will someday come to consider the true sense of freedom that can be found in limitation, and the burden that we carry with the expectation of unlimited choice. Short term we will continue our preoccupation with the unexpected disruptions that happen globally, but long term, history seems to be telling us that the greatest overlooked threat to the survival of our cultures may be found in the things we put in our market baskets and the food systems that produce them.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:08:44 +0000

In reply to Invertedsheep. Do agree that traveling now to Paris and France is a way to support the city financially and emotionally when it needs it most, not to mention it shows the terrorists that their goal of discouraging travel and engagement didn't work. Hope you have a great time there over the holidays!

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:05:09 +0000

In reply to Mariana. Mariana, so glad to hear that you've decided to continue with your trip to Paris. The fears and anxiety are all natural, trust me. Glad that this post was helpful in processing this and making deliberate decisions about travel and other life issues. Enjoy your time in Paris!!