Greg Gallagher

Lauren I graciously disagree about being stuck. I was stuck in Paris for a short bit. How's the saying go, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work". The Parisians good not have been more sympathetic,polite,and giving if it was made into law.

mshaw

Greetings! <BR> I am unsure that anyone feels completely comfortable going ahead with their travel plans after the events of September 11th.But for me the thought of cancelling my plans and being held hostage by my fear of what MIGHT happen is far scarier...so no Jayne I don't think that Osama bin Laden is quaking in his burnoose that I am taking to the skies again...but I will not be held hostage...and I will not allow terror to have anymore impact than the horror it has already caused. <BR> And people did get stranded during the Gulf War. My mother was stranded in India for 5 days while the Indian Government used Air India planes to remove Indians from Kuwait. I recently asked her if she would have cancelled...she said absolutely not.... <BR>

Ila

Seems like the problems of the world often repeat themselves small scale on the board.....fear, broad assumptions, intolerance of others' beliefs; isn't that what gets us all in trouble in the first place? I'm leaving for Italy Saturday, and have taken extra measures to prepare for potential problems: a hassle but worth it. I have bouts of fear, but on the bottom line, we don't think it will necessarily be safer to postpone it a year (and we do have that option with our tickets). Might be worse. Maybe coming close to death in a car accident on an ordinary day in Memphis a few years ago readjusted my priorities (helped my airplane phobias a lot!), and travel here and abroad is to the top! I do respect others who choose not to take any risks, though, and want that respect back. A tiny patriotic move, good for the economy? Yeah, I think that's part of it. I don't mind helping Europe's economy in the process, too: they're showing support. <BR>As a final note of humor, Jayne: I thought I was safe in my own home, but last year a tree fell through my Atlanta house. It missed me, but again, I readjusted my priorities and beliefs! <BR> <BR>Hope you can enjoy travel again someday!

Sue

Jayne, if someone is afraid, it is not for me to tell them their fears are foolish. If someone is afraid, they are afraid, and their fears are very real to them. <BR> <BR>But equally, a sense of pragmaticism can be very real to someone who is of this mindset. <BR> <BR>I suppose my expectations of travel, in terms of both safety and possible inconveniences, were not as high as some prior to September 11. Maybe that's why I have a different perspective. As much as I would enjoy a sense of having total control over my own destiny, I have come to accept that fate and luck play a role too. Even when wars are 'won' luck has a lot to do with it. <BR> <BR>By the way, Lauren, try not to be too hard on my compatriots in Gander. They have but a population of 10,000....and 7,000 people unexpectedly showed up for dinner. : - ) They did their best. <BR> <BR>Which is all any of us can do. <BR> <BR>