Several people have responded to my posts on a previous thread about continuing one's travel in the wake of the recent carnage. Our tour company ( trip departing Sept 30)is proving to be inflexible about changing plans.(Either go... or forfeit $8000.. no offer of rescheduling) I wonder if others have suggestions based on experience. I live in Manhattan and the thought of leaving on a pleasure trip ( Sept. 30) while 5000 souls are still buried in the rubble downtown is incomprehensible.

anybody ever had to cope with such a awful thing?

Sad, a few practical thoughts from a fellow New Yorker. <BR> <BR>If all of the following apply to your situation: you have travel insurance for this trip; you live or worked nearby the WTC, have friends/family/colleagues who worked nearby, or have friends/family/colleagues who are missing or injured; and you sought counseling related to the attack BEFORE you learned that you could not get refunded or rescheduled (this will be the insurance company's litmus test), then if your counseller deems your trauma sufficiently serious s/he may think it appropriate to document your need not to travel at this time. In that event, your travel insurance likely would cover your monetary loss. <BR> <BR>On the other hand, if you're weighing your options and thinking it simply is not right to go now--that somehow you disrespect the memories of those who are gone by taking a holiday now--consider that your staying here in NYC will not bring them back. Perhaps better to take your holiday, in a more subdued mood, and honor their memory everywhere you go in whatever manner gives you solace. Light candles in churches; visit the makeshift memorials that you'll find everywhere you go; give the local people a chance to see the face of NYC and what we have suffered. It may help somehow to be reminded that although our local community was badly wounded by hate, the global community has responded with love. <BR> <BR>Good luck with your difficult decision.

Escritoria, <BR> <BR>What a truly exceptional, lovely post you have written. <BR> <BR>Leslie

Sad, <BR>As Escritora can always "outword" me, with her beautiful, <BR>"right to the point" writing , <BR>I will do nothing but second her comments, esp. about continuing on your trip, and using this to <BR>honor those who have died, <BR>seeing the sites for them (so to speak) <BR>and being a reminder that, <BR>we may be down but not out! <BR>Goodluck with your decision. <BR>And if you go, enjoy your trip . <BR>You are not showing disrespect for anyone, you are honoring life.