With a heavy heart, we cancelled a trip to the coast of Spain on a cruiseline leaving at the end of Janurary. My children are out of their teens, but I would be too worried about being out of the country, and having trouble getting home. Stuff is just too much up in the air, for us to feel comfortable leaving the country right now. Maybe it will be better in Jan., maybe not. I was afraid I would lose too much money if I waited too long to make a decision, and as of now with my feelings of responsibility to my family out weighed the prospect of a fabulous vacation. Those of you not cancelling trips, what are your reasons for feeling so confident about travel out of the US now?

I, personally, think that all this travel fear is ridiculous. I would get on a plane today and go overseas for a month without a thought. My mother is in Italy right now, coming home tomorrow via Newark, and everything is fine. She is having a ball. But, you have to do what is right for you. If you are going to be an nervous wreck and not enjoy your vacation, then don't go.

Hi, Mary. I'm a young single female who will be traveling alone to Italy in a couple of weeks. I'm actually still evaluating but I'm leaning toward going. I don't blame you for canceling when you have a family. Actually, I don't blame anyone for canceling regardless. I've just been trying to think logically about why I would cancel. I don't actually fear the plane travel. I think the odds of having a terrorist on my flight now are about as much or less than before Sept. 11. I am slightly concerned about a terrorist attack in Italy, but once again, this could have happened at any time and I have no desire to give up traveling. In fact, Uffizi gallery which I will be visiting was bombed in 1993. I guess the real concern is being stranded and, being single, I think this is a risk I could take. I also recently remember a trip I took last year to the Middle East. I was staying in Ramallah with some family and the violence broke out probably within a month of my leaving. You just never know. To go or not to go is a difficult decision and I feel that whichever we choose is the right one. Spain will always be there. Take care.

Mary <BR> My reason for NOT cancelling is that it has always been a dream to go to Ireland. I finally made the decision in Feb to go and made plans. I am single and over 60, so I figure I don't have that many more trips in me. I'm not as excited about it as I was a month ago, but I'm gonna have a good time.

I haven't decided whether to cancel yet, but I am leaning toward going to Italy. If I don't cancel, it will be because (1)I have wanted to go to Italy for a long time and may have a hard time doing so in the near future if we do decide to have a second child next year, (2)it may cost a lot to change my tickets, and (3) I think it would help me get past the emotions of the past two weeks. If I do cancel, it will be because I am afraid of something happening to us (we have a 2 year old staying at home). I am not worried about getting back home. Neither of us would have trouble at work if that happens, and we have someone to keep our child. Realistically, how many days could we be delayed anyway? Right now, I feel that despite what happened last week the odds of anything happening to any particular individual are minute. Still, I would not travel to the Middle East right now. I think I am dealing with a general fear/uneasiness more than any real feeling of danger.

Hi, Mary - I understand your fear and would be happy to go to a nearby beach if I hadn't been so darn excited about going to Germany. And I promised my dad I would visit our ancestral village. He's physically frail and has alzheimer's as well. He still knows I'm his daughter and lights up when I say I'm going to Germany. I want him to see pictures of the town he researched so long to identify. I'm nervous and much of the fun has gone out of the anticipation, but that's because I worry not about my well-being but that the situation will get worse and the flight will be cancelled. Or the airline will go belly-up. Everyone has to make decisions appropriate to their respective circumstances and feelings, but as for me, I have been given the same lesson several times: life is uncertain; tomorrow may not be there. If this were just a vacation and not a pilgrimage, I might opt for DisneyWorld instead.

We've decided to go to Munich this week. We have basically decided that it is as dangerous in the US as it is anywhere else. In other words, the threat of a terrorist attack is the same now as it has always been. <BR> <BR>The exception is air travel. Air travel is probably safer now than it ever has in the US. I can't find a logical reason not to go. However, emotional reasons abound. <BR> <BR>The war on terrorism will last at least 10 years. In fact, it will never end, because the actions against the terrorists will spawn more terrorism. Look at the demonstartions in Pakistan. <BR> <BR>But at the end of the day, you must decide what to do... <BR>

Yes, initially, I was hysterical. But, when I did reach my mother, she said, "Jesus Christ, calm down, kid." And you have to remember that I could not get in touch with her the day of the bombings. That is why I was hysterical. Now that things are under control I think we should all keep a level head. What if my mother lived in New York, and I couldn't get in touch with her after the bombings? I would have been just as hysterical and she would not have been traveling. Just thinking. JG

JOhn, <BR> <BR>You think things are under control now? I don't think you've been watching the TV, reading the papers or listening to the radio. This is just the beginning. And with Bush's comments of "you're either for us or you're against us" comments could raise anti-American sentiment anywhere. Those of us that don't remember any war-time activities are nervous, and rightly so.

Dear Sandi: Yes, I have been watching the news and I read the New York Times from cover to cover everyday. I am also a world traveler and have never experienced anti-American feelings anywhere. Since most of the world is with us, I don't think we have to worry. I don't know why some of you are so against people traveling. I don't know how some of you get out of bed in the morning. JG

We will be going to Italy. By getting on with our lives, and following our dreams we will be contributing to the healing of our nation and economy. Why feel confident? because my children have expressed no fear about the flight, we planned it with great joy. Why let others change our lives? could be hit by a car tomorrow, one never knows. I am a bit scared, sure, I would hate to be in a situation that is out of my control.

<BR>Everyone is saying "God Bless America", but do they believe it? MY God has not forsaken me, nor has he ever promised me that I would not die. I have no plans to cancel any upcoming trips abroad instead I've been on the net looking for deals and booking. I am benefiting from others fears, so I can't complain. In this case traveling to NY would have been the most dangerous trip, whereas being out of the US right now sounds good as I live in a large US city which could easily be next.

Mary - we are leaving for Italy on Tuesday to stay for a month. We were booked to leave on Sept. 19th, but I postponed for a week to give us time to think. There were so many considerations, but we decided to go. <BR> <BR>I, too, have a heavy heart, but it is still grieving for the victims and their families. My excitement for my trip has been subdued, but what a small price I'm paying. <BR> <BR>I am not afraid to travel. I can't explain why. In 1993, my husband and I were staying in a beautiful little hotel adjacent to the Uffizi Gallery. We were in Sorrento when we saw the newspapers three days later - part of the Uffizi and most of the hotel were torn apart. A few people lost their lives, and of course there was terrible damage to the Gallery. <BR> <BR>But we have continued to travel. I, too, would not want to be stranded far away from home and my family, but we are retired and would just find a way to deal with it. We're budget travellers, so it would be a strain, but we wouldn't have jobs, young children, etc. to consider. <BR> <BR>Everyone has their own comfort level and must do what feels right for them. It feels right for us to go. <BR> <BR>And we are looking forward to being with good friends in a beautiful place -a place I know will help heal our hearts. <BR> <BR>I wish all you travellers a safe and peaceful trip. And to those of you who have cancelled, I know how hard the decision must have been - but it was the right one for you. Go when you're ready - you'll know. <BR> <BR>Shanna - what a wonderful thing you are doing for your Dad and what a great daughter you are! Please let us hear about your trip when you return.

My parents and I are traveling to Turkey in a couple of weeks. For us, it came down to: "Is this a reasonable risk?" For us it is. Life is always about risks--but we must determine whether they are foolish or reasonable. Because we are with a small tour group, we feel if we wait, they probably will be out of business. Plus, this situation isn't going to be any better. If anything, it is going to get worse and I don't want to keep facing this dilemma every time we postpone a trip. Thirdly, I believe the safest time to fly is right now. But what about a year from now, when everyone gets a little complacent again? <BR>Plus, if we do get stuck, it's dirt cheap to stay in Turkey--another week won't kill us. <BR>Everyone probably thinks we are crazy. But that's Ok. You can't base your decision totally on what other people think. You must do what you feel is right. We as a family are praying that if the Lord doesn't want us to go, he will close the door. (i.e. all flights will be cancelled, our tour company cancels, there is another hijacking etc.) But for now, we are going. And yes, I am actually getting excited!

I don't exactly have confidence in traveling outside of the country...but I sure as hell don't have confidence about staying in the country, either! <BR> <BR>Life is a risk. As long as there's not a clear and present danger to life and limb by going, I'm going in about a week and a half. And I'm going to have a good time!!

Mr. Woodlief, why are you more concerned about the "next" child than you are about the one you already have? <BR>Just wondering because I see you write this often.

Toall those who answered me, and are leaving for a trip I wish you a safe and wonderful adventure. Please report back on how your travels went. I'm not afraid to leave, just so uncertain about what to expect, I guess. Last summer we went to Turkey and had a incredible time. Belle, you will not believe how friendly the Turkish people are, and the country is so beautiful! You're going to love it. The summer before we travelled to Israel, and driving around got lost in many places we probably shouldn't of been in, but again, Israelis and Palestinians helped us out, and I'm sure they could tell I was an American. Even in London, on a Sunday in Hyde Park a few years ago, I got into it with a Palestinian on the Soapbox, who said US involvement was the cause of much of the problems in Israel. I still felt safe, just mad. What I'm trying to say, is we've travelled plenty to places with an iffy reputation regarding terror and it never scared me. This feels different, and I only hope its temporary trauma caused by the events at the WTC, because I not only love seeing the world, I enjoy meeting all the different people who populate it. If I want to be honest I think the President and administrations response has spooked me as much as the attacks. I don't have any better answers to be sure, but it all seems so uncertain to me, and until I feel I have more personal control over a travel situation (a complete illusion, I know) I guess I'm gonna have stick close to home. Finally to Shanna, How lucky you are to be doing this for your Dad. My parents were born in Poland and hopefully when we can get everyone in agreement we'll go there for them. Have a great time and come back with unforgettable good memories.

Well said LISA. I couln't agree with you more. <BR>

Well, since you are wondering Wondering. I think that is a very personal and actually very unfair question, since my daughter means more than anything else in the world to me. Nevertheless, I will humor you. The two are not really related (my current child and a future one) in the decision process. I just don't feel at the moment that there is a definite threat to any particular person (other than government officials maybe). The odds are not much if any greater than two weeks ago of something happening to one particular individual than another. It is not like I am planning to go to Afghanistan or Iraq. I could go three years from now instead, and my plane could be bombed, and it may even be more likely at that point because of the heigtened security at many major airports now. I feel as if I am just more afraid in general from watching what happened recently than for any specific reason. Who knows, the terrorists out there may even be planning something completely different than attacking more planes. I guess I look at it this way: Life is short, the threat of terrorists could be there for the rest of mine, and I must go on regardless.

I salute all of you who are continuing with your travel plans. To continue our lives as before is incredibly important. We are all stunned by what happened, but unless you personally lost a loved one I frankly don't understand the continued grief and anguish. I can't believe that those that lost their lives would wish us to react in that manner. I feel they would want us to live our lives and go on as best we can with as few changes as possible. <BR> <BR>If nothing else by staying home (even from US destinations) and cancelling travel plans you are contributing to the downward spiral of the economy. Isn't that what those madmen wanted? <BR> <BR>Obviously I can't dictate to any of you as far as your decisions are concerned, but I have been reading these boards for some time now and since the horrible events on 9/11 I have been appalled by many of the reactions and decisions to stay home, and decided not to post because of my anger. Finally today I could wait no longer to say what I feel. Put me down if you like, but we must not let those fanatics ruin the whole country through these fears and IMO unnecessary reactions. <BR> <BR>Sorry if I have offended anyone, but I couldn't remain quiet any longer as I feel so strongly about this. <BR> <BR>j