Comments on: Choosing a destination in a time of terrorism

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:46:06 +0000

In reply to Michele {Malaysian Meanders}.

That would never have occurred to me! I mean, wouldn’t it be more effective for a terrorist to blow up the building with everyone in it rather than getting them outside first?

The times we’ve been to such places — Egypt after an attack and Israel during the conflict with Gaza two summers ago — we had already booked our trips. What we did differently was consciously decide to go anyway, after studying the situation carefully. In the case of Egypt, we weren’t going anywhere near where the attack had taken place, and we felt like we couldn’t write off a whole country because of it. That’s just what terrorists want! As for Israel, the Gaza bombs didn’t reach very far into Israel, and we just wouldn’t go too near. Our relatives live there all year; the least we could do was show up when we said we’d show up!

By: Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

Michele {Malaysian Meanders} — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 06:01:46 +0000

We usually don’t alter our plans because of terrorism; however, we’ve never sought out a terrorized place to visit either. We visited Washington, D.C. a few weeks after the Brussels bombing, and I think Washington had been mentioned as a possible target. A late night fire alarm caused us to evacuate the hotel, and I’ll admit that we wondered if it was just an means to get us targets conveniently clustered on the sidewalk for an attack. We ended up wandering the cold, dark streets with the kids in their pajamas just to make sure we were out of the area. Of course, it turned out okay, but we felt that it was a precaution we needed to take.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 01:53:04 +0000

Rachel, I totally get your point about visiting locations that have been hit by terrorism. I visited Egypt the year the Iraq – US year broke out. Half of the group canceled plans even though the other 3/4 parts of the trip was going to take place in Europe. We ended up having an excellent time (and it was the cheapest and the most delicious location).

The other thing is that people do not want to visit places notorious by terrorism but they end up visiting places that are not that safe but marketing agencies make them look like paradise. They criticize people who go to “dangerous” places but do not realize they are exposing themselves in some way too.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 22:34:47 +0000

In reply to Penny. I hope so!

By: Penny

Penny — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 22:19:31 +0000

In reply to Rachel Heller. That's great. Maybe our paths will cross again in Jerusalem.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 22:10:15 +0000

In reply to Penny. I have family there too, so yes, I'll be there! I'm probably going to do Jordan too, after TBEX.

By: Penny

Penny — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 21:50:31 +0000

Bravo, Rachel! I couldn’t have said it better myself. Think I’ll share this post with a dear friend who is sure my husband and I will never come back from our trip to Jordan and Israel in March. I was born in Israel, and still have family there. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I’ll allow a bunch of murderous thugs to keep me away. My mother did just that, and never saw her two younger sisters before they died. Hope to see you in Jerusalem for TBEX.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 06:13:55 +0000

In reply to Charles McCool. Yes, I should have written that too. Terrorists target crowded, high-profile places. Good point.

By: Charles McCool

Charles McCool — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 16:39:24 +0000

Tough topic. Impossible to be completely immune from trouble, whether at home or when traveling. I would think that traveling more authentically, using local providers and lodging, would reduce your profile. Good thing!

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 10:22:38 +0000

In reply to Nathalie. Thanks, Nathalie!