Well, I want to say we postponed our trip to Europe because I fully intend to take this trip in the future – just not now. My feelings about this are deeply mixed. We were set to cruise from Rome to Northern Italy, then the French Riviera, then Spain. Nice, France was one of our stops.
When this most recent Bastille Day tragedy was reported, it was more than I could handle. Getting on a plane on a good day is something I can barely handle, but now one of the places we were planning to visit had been hit. I just didn’t want to go.
I actually said I wanted to cancel our trip to Europe after the Belgium incident (3/2016); Tony talked me out of it. I said if one more horrific thing happened in Europe I wouldn’t go. Then Istanbul happened (6/2016); Tony talked me off the ledge once again. He said, “Beth, Turkey is in a lot of turmoil right now, something like this won’t happen in the places we’re going – they aren’t targets.”
At this point I wasn’t evening factoring the 2015 attacks in Paris. Then there was Nice (7/2016). I didn’t have to fight. Even Tony was rattled knowing we were to be in that very place, very soon. It was all too much.
Yes, I know there’s a greater chance of being killed in a car accident, but that didn’t change the sinking feeling I had. And sinking was the last thing I should be thinking about when getting ready for a seven day cruise.
The fear was overwhelming and it took over. I wish it hadn’t, I wish I was stronger, but I felt better about not going than going.
I don’t want to run scared and I don’t want to let anyone “win,” but I’m not a risk taker and how could we enjoy ourselves wondering if wherever we were going to be was next? This time, my family agreed. The decision was made – I’m relieved and devastated at the same time.
I feel privileged to travel with my family. I love that my girls enjoy traveling with us and want to see the world. When we last visited Rome we never made it inside the Colosseum. This trip would have given us the chance to check that box. I am sad, angry, guilt-ridden and so torn about changing our plan.
I can only hope and pray that our world gets better and that we have the chance to schedule another trip to Europe very soon.
I am so disappointed for you and your family. The world is such a scary place right now. I hope you will be able to reschedule your trip in the near future 🙂
My daughter was just in France in April, southern France just outside Nice in a small village. This was just after the Belgium airport was bombed by terrorists. Several students cancelled their trip entirely. The school decided to cancel to Paris piece of the trip and a handful of students still went. I was very anxious the entire time she was away but fortunately she had made it home safely. I agree, the intensity is increasing. Given what has happened since April, I wouldn’t want to be heading to Europe now. Is this going to be the new norm or… Read more »
Beth, I am so sorry you needed to make this difficult choice. I just returned from nearly two weeks in Italy, including Rome, with my husband and daughter who continued on to a small beach-front city in Spain for another two weeks. They return Saturday. I certainly struggled with these same thoughts but I asked myself: has anything really changed and if so, what? In the end I concluded it was the presence of social media – the 24×7 news cycle that is filled with fear-mongering. For as long as I can remember terrorism has existed. A dear family friend… Read more »
Beth -I couldn’t agree more that the never-ending loop of horror that is news and social media today is very much to blame for my fearful condition. Your insight is helpful and comforting. Safe travels to your husband and daughter.
Oh Beth, I feel for you! We have family in Nice and were planning a vacation for the upcoming year. As we were very relieved to hear they were ok after the attack, the first words out of my mouth were “I guess we won’t be going to see my Aunt in the near future…” I hope that we may both be able to make this voyage soon!
I, too, am not a comfortable flyer, but have managed to overcome it in the past few years traveling with family in order to travel with family which is the greatest joy of my life.
Beth….we did the same….we were suppose to do it on Disney and do the same route ..Vernon said no….and not even for next year. I want to go see my cousins in Sicily….not going to happen soon.
The world is not in a good place. I pray that it gets better for our children. Even in the North End 4th of July weekend I could feel the anxiety. Sadly, our lives have been changed ☹️
Good to hear from you Stephanie. It is comforting to know we are not alone.
Such a difficult descision Beth. I have a wonderful young man from Turkey staying with me and all of the unrest broke out after he arrived. I hope that he will be able to return to a peaceful Turkey and I hope the airport remains open!
I wish him a safe return home!