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| The square in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul |
At least ten German tourists were killed and another 15 injured, according to that article. Yes, it could have been me, or any of the people in my group, who could have been killed. The world is becoming more and more hostile and it seems that nobody is safe any more. I was worried about being so close to Syria when I went to Turkey, but there were no signs at all that I wasn't perfectly safe. No place in the world is "perfectly safe" any more, is it?
And to add to my existential angst, the world having lost David Bowie this week at the relatively young age of 69, is tragic. I understand he knew his days were numbered and unveiled his final release, Lazarus, just a few days earlier. A carefully planned farewell. Blue skies, David.
:-{
David Bowie's final album was released on his birthday. His final gift to us. Blue skies indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy partner too has spent time in just that square. Sometimes the world is a very scary place now.
I think back to when I was a young teenager and listening to my grandma telling me about the second world war, and remember thinking I hope the world doesn't start another war, and now everyday I'm pretty certain it's on the horizon, maybe not with weapons and atrocities, but small acts of terror over and over and over.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad and shameful.
~Jo
And I'm glad you were safe.
Delete~Jo
That is the way the world seems: unsafe. Thankfully, your trip was safe, but i wonder, would you go again?
ReplyDeletei saw that headline about the bombing - yet again. we get so jaded to things happening 'over there' that we don't pay close attention. thanks for making the headlines personal - we need that reminder that we're all just one step away from infinity.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know who David Bowe was until they played some of his songs. I hadn't heard about the bombing yet, suppose I should turn on some news. Such a sad state of affairs our world is in:(
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, you are right. There is no "perfectly safe" space in this world anymore. I wish we could find a way to fix that.
ReplyDeleteI think we have to dwell on the positive and put things in perspective. Cars and all that can happen with them are extremely dangerous compared to terrorists. Having said that we do have to watch where we go.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Red. We have to lead our lives without fear. Caution, yes, but not fear. Safety is relative. Life is not assured. We live the best we can while we can.
ReplyDeleteI never really followed David Bowie, but his passing seems to have touched many.
Yes, the existential angst is growing. But Linda said it well, 'live with caution, but not fear'.
ReplyDeleteThe world is a scary place; always has been; hopefully it won't always be so.
ReplyDeleteTo look back at a spot where you stood and to know that it was bombed must make your heart skip beats, my friend.
ReplyDeleteVery disconcerting to think that our world is in the condition it is now.
I pray daily for peace and for love to enfold and lift us all up. I pray to the Lord to please continue to keep us safe....and I thank Him for all the mercies He bestows on us.
Love,
Jackie
Yes, you truly aren't safe anywhere - just look at the rash of mass shooting we've had in this country alone. I figure if your number's up, your number's up and there's nothing you can do to prevent something like this. It's not going to stop me from living my life.
ReplyDeleteI feel fortunate to have lived in a world where you could travel pretty much anywhere without fear of terrorism, where you could (cover your ears, Mom) safely even hitchhike in Europe, send your kids with their friends to the park alone. We can't go back to that, but I do wonder where the world is headed and where it will all end. "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."
ReplyDeleteI did worry when you went last year and thought of you when I heard the news. Our comfort levels have really been lowered these days. Nowhere is really "safe" anymore. We live on the edge these days, either from terrorists, nut jobs, accidents or disease. We are going backwards and picking up speed. I do hope our direction changes and soon. I still believe we can do it.
ReplyDeleteI also believe we must be cautious, but NOT FEARFUL. I don't feel like the world is a dangerous place. True, people exist who have no respect for life... but I think that has always been so. Maybe the internet and communication has made it easier for them to spread their discontent. But their existence shouldn't make us fearful, only more cautious. There is a difference.
ReplyDeleteAnd DJan, I can imagine that it is strange to see that suicide bombing in a place where you yourself were not that long ago. And you are right - "there,but for the grace of God..."
Right. It seems that no place is safe anymore. People have become better and worse all at the same time. Maybe they always have been like that, though. Makes you think. I am just glad you came home safe, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you did not experience that awful blast in Turkey.
ReplyDeleteLiving in London I am very aware of the possibility of a terrorist attack but you cannot live your life with that in mind otherwise I would never leave the house. When my time is up it's up and there will be nothing I can do about that event.
ReplyDeleteLike Fun60 I live near London and live hand in glove with the threats. It's so sad that we have come to this and to what end? So that the whole world will be Islam and oppressed by a brutal region? I think not!
ReplyDelete...and that is the main reason Bud and I don't go over the border any more. It's just too scary....one minute you're having the time of your life, and the next, the neighboring country kidnaps you or worse.
ReplyDeleteYes, it could've been you and your touring friends...but it wasn't and we thank our lucky stars.
I got together with a friend and a couple of other women she knows last week, and in conversation it came up that my friend (who now has taken over the farm she grew up on and has three very small children) has spent time in Syria. We talked about the changes in our world, the dangers, and how - as much as I want to see Europe and other continents. . I don't feel very safe about traveling abroad at this time. We are very fortunate that the most dangerous thing in our neck of the woods is the weather (-25 to -40 windchill this weekend) and icy roads. Things we can prepare for and take precaution measures against to stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThere is no planning or precaution in the matter of random acts of terror like suicide bombings. My heart hurts for those tourists' loved ones, and I'm so glad your trip to Turkey was safe, DJan.
I got together with a friend and a couple of other women she knows last week, and in conversation it came up that my friend (who now has taken over the farm she grew up on and has three very small children) has spent time in Syria. We talked about the changes in our world, the dangers, and how - as much as I want to see Europe and other continents. . I don't feel very safe about traveling abroad at this time. We are very fortunate that the most dangerous thing in our neck of the woods is the weather (-25 to -40 windchill this weekend) and icy roads. Things we can prepare for and take precaution measures against to stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThere is no planning or precaution in the matter of random acts of terror like suicide bombings. My heart hurts for those tourists' loved ones, and I'm so glad your trip to Turkey was safe, DJan.
Good gracious! I was walking around Istanbul in November 2014 also. It's really scary to think about. My daughter and son-in-law were walking around Paris in areas the terrorists attacked just a month before it happened. I know we can't live in fear, but I do feel a little leery of traveling now. It's not stopping Art from planning though.
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