Katietwin

Sylvia,

I have friends overseas as well - but would never think it valid to ascribe the thoughts and opinions of their entire homeland based on what they alone expressed to me. Yes, there most certainly are Americans who would like to rule the world. I'm not a gambler, but I'd wager there are people who feel the same way that are French, German, Italian, Hindu, and [fill in the blank]. There are also Neo-nazis and other racist groups, too many cults to count, and a host of mentally disturbed Uni-bomber types who have websites. So what - throw the baby out with the bathwater? Does this also mean that we should assume everyone in Iraq is out for the same goals as Al Quaida?

Easytraveler: I am afraid I have no simple (nor witty...sorry to disappoint you) answer for you as to "what is the truth". But, you seem an educated person, and clearly proud of your verbal skills - maybe you'll read it someplace soon and you can share the answer in eloquent fashion with all of us, much as you have enlightened all of us today by revealing once and for all, "What Americans think".

bbib

Its 18.30 in London and BBC London TV's news headline is about tourists cancelling their trips here. At least it seems Fodorites will be still coming.

You are all very welcome.

rj007

Ryn2691

Do not cancel your trip to London. Besides the waste of $1800 in airfare you be missing out on visiting one of the great cities of the world.

I have been to London 7 times, twice in the last 3 months and am planning another visit later this year. Yes, the exchange rate is terrible, but you just make adjustments to your schedule. Instead of staying in hotels in Central London I stay in the suburbs for half the cost. In those 2 visits I saved 425 pounds over what I would have paid in a hotel. That savings alone covered the cost of one RT ticket and half of another. Many of the great musuems in London are FREE. The Half Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Square will help save on tickets to the theatre. The National Theatre has a special 10 pound offer for tickets.

I love to wander around the neieghborhoods either with a self guided walks book or with Original London Walks. I only buy one meal a day in London.

I have never let the exchange rate stop me from going to London and I never will. Nor will I let terrorists dictate my life.

Gardyloo

In 3 weeks we're leaving for (in no particular order) London, Spain, France, Italy and Israel. I am much more worried about the M25 than I am about Al Qaeda or Hamas or the loonies that threatened the French with Allah's wrath this morning (over headscarfs, no less.)

You pay your money and you take your chances. However, I well remember how vigilant we all were on the tube when left bags could have been IRA bombs. Not nervous, not scared. Vigilant. It's a transferable skill nowadays - works in London, Oklahoma City. Paris or Jerusalem.

rj007

Well said, Gardyloo. Vigilance is the key. People need to be aware of what is going on around them. Common sense would help too. I remember watching the Chicago news on WGN a couple of years ago during the anthrax scare. A person reported seeing a strange green substance spread out on a street and called 911. Emergencey teams responded.
It was guacamole.

sera

Meanwhile, the poor people of Iraq are the ones who should be really concerned.

DiAblo

Sylvia, Jimbo...

Leave terrorists to "due process of law"?

Whose law? American law with unlimited generations of appeals before justice is done (if ever)? International law? (Say, how's that Milosovic trial thing going, anyway?)

We don have to worry about "young" people and their point of view when we have people who have lived as long as you and still remain so naive.

Now there are threats against France for the passing of the law forbidding overt religious garb. Who is responsible for those threats, Hindus or Christians? Jews? Not so far, at least, but violent threats have been made by Islamic fundamentalists. (Oops, I must?ve forgotten that "Islam is a religion of peace and love"? but maybe that?s only love for other Moslems?)

When terrorist organizations can declare war on civilization, then there will be war indeed.

(The "due process of law" thing literally made me snort Pepsi through my nose! Please, people, what color is the sky in your world?)

Ryn2691

Thanks for the pep talk re: hotel prices, but we don't use hotels in the UK; we stay w/ family. The incidentals I was speaking of were other things, such as food, train fares, admissions to a few events, transfers, petrol, etc. These rather add up for a family of 4. If we had to use hotels it would really be difficult. We originally planned this trip for $3K; now it will cost around $5K.

The question of cancelling is not motivated purely by cost, but if the dollar were not dropping like a rock, the other considerations would not be significant enough on their own. We probably will still go, because the Aunties are not getting any younger, but it will be a VERY lean rest of the year to make up for it.

Patrick

I don't mean to quibble, Ryn, but the pound has not gone up 66% to the dollar in the last year or two. If you planned 3K and it is now costing 5K, it simply means you underestimated by a lot!!!!

Mommar

Back to topic, I leave next week for a business trip to London. I'm always aware of terrorists, ever since my first trip abroad after college when there was a terrorist attack in a Rome (?) airport. I never forget some of the tips I heard back then, even if sometimes I feel silly.
*Stay away from entryways in public areas
*Avoid standing next to guards or military people (they are the first targets)
*Avoid standing next to trash bins (good place to plant a bomb)
*Spend as little time as possible near the pre-screening areas,
and so on.

Bitter

Wasn't it the great Western philosphers Tears for Fears that stated: "Everybody wants to rule the World"? So, it isn't just the US!
If we fight terror, there will be retaliation, but we may make some progress in defeating terror. If we don't fight terror, no progress will be made and terror will continue.

uhoh_busted

We're stopping in London on our way to Africa this May. We live outside Washington DC. Our daughter lives in NYC (as she did on 9/11). Our 22 yo son is on his second tour of duty in Iraq. A co-worker's 22 yo daughter was struck and killed by a car in Cancun last week. She was on Spring Break from college. There is much we don't control. We make choices every day. We're not staying home in bed. Life is living not avoiding.

capo

Re: <i>...that London will be the victim of a terrorist attack and there is only so much that can be done to prevent it.</i>

Likely true, and very true. I just can't imagine how complete security on any transportation system is possible. People are also certainly entitled to put off a trip to London if they fear this. But, as always, a little perspective is a good thing. One is undoubtedly far more likely to die or be injured in a crash while driving one's car to work or the market or somewhere else, than one is to die or be injured in a terrorist attack, yet that doesn't stop people from driving to work or to the market or elsewhere.

summersquash

We will be in London April 14th. I do have a few reservations, but not enough to cancel my trip. I beleive that there is a reason to be worried but who knows where or when terror can strike. Besides, I have a daughter living there that I haven't seen in a year. I thnk that we should all be observant of our suroundings and anything that might be out of the ordinary, and be ready for longer lines at the airport.

tashak

Won't stop me...I'll be there in a couple weeks.
I was in Africa on September 11. Before I left, many friends asked me about the risk of going to Africa. On September 11 I realized that people going to work in NY never thought about the risks they take going to work. Maybe the real risk is staying at home (not safe anyway) and missing your life as you live in fear and with a false sense of security about the things you do everyday. Statistically, the most dangerous thing we do is getting in a car and we do that many times every day

Exchange rate is more of a problem...with the pound at nearly $2.00 (my credit card charges from a February trip came in at over $1.90!) it means less shopping, cheaper hotels and meals...but London is so fabulous, it's still one of the best urban destinations in the world.

Skaye

I guess I qualify as one of the &quot;older&quot; members since I was born before WWII in Central London and lived there through the blitz (I am told!).. Various places during scares and riots and bomb threats, etc. I have lived in the US for 40 years - I too have a son in the USAF (fighter pilot) with tours of duty in all the recent conflicts. There are so many platitudes one can offer about politics and agendas and nothing anyone says is going to change any one else's mind. One of the truest things I ever read was that more murders have been committed in the name of religion than anything else. And that was said about the Crusades! The Muslims I know are just as horrified as the rest of us at Al Quaeda. I think one poster made a sarcastic remark about attacking Saudi Arabia. Well, when you realize that most of the &quot;hierarchy&quot; came from well to do Saudi families and are still (it is said) being supported by them, perhaps we should expect Saudis to do more to stop terrorism? Also, the &quot;poor&quot; Iraquis?? I'm not sure how many were killed or injured while the &quot;war&quot; was going on but I think many more have been killed in the terrorist attacks.. AND.. many many many more thousands were tortured, killed and disappeared under Sadam's reign. So, did anything get decided? We will definitely be back in London soon.. God bless everyone and keep you all safe.

sera

Skaye: It's estimated about 10,000 Iraqis have been killed, and many more wounded, in our war to &quot;liberate&quot; them. You seldom hear about this on our so-called &quot;liberal media.&quot;

adogaer

but has anyone noticed or has anyone written on the significant link between the two dates?

&quot;9-11 is the emergency number

3-11 is the non-emergency number

(At least, 3-11 is the non-emergency number where I live)&quot;

I also heard last night that 3/11 is exactly 911 days from 9/11. Haven't actually done the math here but if it's true the Al-Queda (sp?) must have numerologists working for them!!