"I don't imagine that there are any memorable Canadian wines"

there IS something called icewine.

www.winesofcanada.com/icewine.html

I have a three week vacation planned for September in Edinburgh. Will arrive in Gatwick airport, and I don't plan to change a thing!

<<ENJOY LIFE.THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!!!!>> So true Dutyfree. Have fun at Summerfest! One of my favorite summertime activities back in the day.

Just got back from LA on I5 to the Bay Area in six hours. Saw all kinds of road hazards as expected. Good time for my 15 year old to get some real life experience driving.

Will be leaving for London on Monday. Not even thinking twice about it.

Feel sorry for those who allow their lives to be run by fear.

Am totally happy to support our British friends when they are threatened by people who think they can get their way through intimidation. Wasn't intimidated in the school yard, not intimidated now.

thereyet

Don't be daft. I grew up in London during the 70's when the IRA was blowing up things right and left. My family was untouched from any harm and we lived right in the thick of things.

My mother travelled all over the world, from Cambodia to Bermuda to Turkey to Russia. She was killed in a car accident just 15 miles from home.

When your time is up, it's up.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

Well. It was just about a year ago, July 7th, when the bombing happened in London. We had a similar thread, complete with GirlSpy's dire warnings of hellfire and damnation. I don't think anyone cancelled their plans then either.

No, Fidel :) I was in the same situation that now..I had tickets for going to London 20 days after the bombing..and sure I went and had a wonderful time. Just like I hope to have this time !

Actually, Fidel, there were a few who decided to wait until the situation stablized, and I'm sure they had much more peace of mind by doing so. When you are in the middle of a crime scene, with the city on highest alert, THAT is not mine, or anyone else's idea of a great holiday.

<<or anyone else's idea of a great holiday.>>

You probably should stick to speaking for yourself. Much SAFER that way.

thereyet

Actually, no, I think reasonable, rational people doing their own risk analysis and paying a lot of money to get on a plane and go over the ocean want to be able to enjoy themselves, and not have to worry about being in the middle of a "critical" alert situation-meaning another attack is imminent-those people DO NOT want to go on a holiday to London right now, ThereYet. And when you know our own US Military service men and women are being told to stay away from central London, again, doing the risk analysis factor, then someone besides myself must think it rational NOT to put oneself and others in harm's way.

Biiiig diference between "someone" snd "anyone" in your arguements. Do you want to continue with your inconsistencies?

I really don't care what your fear analysis tells you. And I suspect you enjoy instilling fear in others from the tenor of your posts. I also suspect you don't care about those that you warn so dutifully but rather care more putting down those that disagree with you including what seems to be the entire nation of the UK.

Is it posssible that at least on this forum, you stand alone?

thereyet

Should you decide to go, do it without any added fear; should you decide to cancel, many people will sympathize - but at this point, predicting where and when the next likely attack will be is a zero-sum game. Berlin, Hamburg? The Germans are definitely nervous, being that they have forces in Afghanistan. The UK again? Spain again? (Even if outside terrorists are laying off, there is a real possibility that separatists will end their cease-fire or truce or whatever they call the current state.)

Greece? Plenty of Anti-Americanism there, and internal issues still alive. Morocco? Egypt? Israel?

We can "see America first" but we won't necessarily know want to visit Oklahoma or Virgnia or ... you get the drift, and others have made that point. And a youngster just died in another amusement park accident.

Which is to say, do what you're comfortable with. We can't predict the next earthquake, either.

I went to Italy in October of 2001 - a rescheduling of a trip that had been set for 9/12 out of NY. There were definitely fewer tourists, and not just from the US. Why? Maybe people felt spooked, or too sad to be on vacation. I had a friend who didn't want me to go, said "We're at war, you need to stay home!" But we discovered, as expected, that one month after the events airports in general were probably as safe as they have ever been. Nobody got on a plane without feeling as if they had been pretty well looked over. And I was never treated more generously by a host country. When anyone learned we were New Yorkers they were especially considerate and welcoming (as they usually are in Italy, for that matter.)

There were times when we felt very far from the happenings at home, both moments when that was a little frustrating and moments when that was a relief. It gave me an appreciation for the situation of friends who had already arrived in Europe before us for the trip as orignally planned - they were far away with a million questions and concerns for friends, but had just begun a vacation they had planned and saved for for a long time. As it turned out, by the time flights had been resumed they knew that friends and family were unharmed.

I'm sure many folks are dealing with the same question - try to make your decision calmly. Other than that - well, don't create fears your in your kids that they don't already have.

Thank you Tomas...
What a lovely post! We have decided to go on the 3rd unless the situation becomes worse.
Kelkel

kelkel, I am so happy that you have decided to go. Years ago, in Houston, I was a victim of a carjacking (it wasn't called that at the time..it was just "get out of your car...at gunpoint"). It did not stop me from driving... just resulted in a little more caution when out and about. I pay attention. Not to distraction. But if you are in London, do what makes sense or feels right. I believe your instincts will not fail you. I have two lovely daughters and three young granddaughters. I would not hesitate to travel with them to London right now. I might not take mass transit (tube or bus) but would take taxis until the situation calms down. But I would not cancel the trip. I could not even begin to describe my dislike for bullies...I would NOT let them win. :) Have a great trip!!!

Paula

GodsGift; My 10 year old and I leave July 3 for our daddy - daughter trip to the UK (London), and Germany/Switzerland. As mentioned previously, the likelihood of being involved in a terrorist attack is nearly nill, yet we will be vigilant as we walk and enjoy the City. To be fearful is to let the lamewads win, and that ain't gonna happen. Cool heads will prevail, have a great time and enjoy your vacation...

GG, we had the same issue for our 2005 trip after the "successful" and then "failed" tube bombings in London in July 2005. We were staying at a hotel right near one of the bombed-out stations (although it was fixed by the time we got there in August). My daughter and I had a great time on that trip. I hope you do on yours. There are no easy answers.

I lived in the UK during a lot of the IRA bombings in London in the 70's - and still went in to London w/o a 2nd thought. Well not exactly no thought - but London is one of the safest places anywhere. Ate in Trader Vic's in the London Hilton 10 days after the hotel's lobby was bombed.

In Sept 2001 I was on the 2nd Virgin Atlantic flight out of SFO after they resumed operations. Just figured - there will be no safer time than right after the attacks since the always tight security would be even tighter . . . .

"..Just figured - there will be no safer time than right after the attacks since the always tight security would be even tighter..."

exactly - that's why we have no qualms about leaving this Tuesday...

"I might not take mass transit (tube or bus) but would take taxis until the situation calms down."

I just got back Thursday night & wonder when or how many more years it will take for them to get the District & Circle line tubes updated/remodeled/whatever they've been doing to them for years.

As to the original question, it wouldn't stop me going but I'm really sick of the hassles of flying.

I think many US nationals should look at their on country before they start to spread fear about others - I and many other travellers have refused to visit the US due to foreign policy, politics of arms and the fact that to get in the country you are immediately treated as a potential terrorist with ID profiling, fingerprinting etc.
Add to that the fact that BUsh dragged us into a war that most of our nation did not accept and the US governments standing in my view is pretty low.
I don't know what the stats are but many Brits feels the same. We have just returned from Canada here the peolple are equally as friendly and the countryside as stunning.

The Canadian holiday cottage had previously had very few UK visitors. Over the past 2 years this had increased to 50% occupancy. The visitor book was not a gloing reference for ther US.

My problem is DEFINITELY not with US citizens - we hbave always had great holidays in the US and met some great people - we simply feel unable condone Bush actions over Iraq/Afganistan.

Paula and Mettman:
Thanks so much....I will complete our packing today and off to London on the 3rd! I have to stop answering the phone however, as my sister keeps calling and harrassing me about even thinking of taking my girls out of the country. Kelkel