In Reply to: I was posting this last night posted by Jonh on Tuesday, 4. October 2005 at 06:12 Bali Time:
I do agree Jonh, and am also living in central London. I was involved
peripeherally in an anti-terrorist armed response incident a couple of weeks ago,
but I use the public transport system perhaps more than ever, because
of statistics
and the chances being
well
so slim
and how many times can one say this and how other than: If one's fate is to
be killed in a terrorist attack, there is probably very little you can do about it.
I do also agree that the hypocrisy surrounding the FCO's tourist blacklist is
just PANTS and should NOT be heeded. If one reads (for example) the information
from the Norwegian governement, they advise vigilance in Bali for foreign nationals, but
no mention of not going, or of returning prematurely.
Above all the Balinese will suffer appallingly if tourism drops as it did in 2002.
I might add that I believe the danger is very much in our minds, as we do live in a culture of fear.
Perhaps we are divided between those who have children, and those who do not. I
have taken my god child to Sarajevo and Kosova, so that he might understand
something of the world on his doorstep.. The FCO advised against it.
We were entirely unharmed. I do not believe this was a reckless action. I gave
a great deal of thought and planning to the journey... but that's just me : )
And as Jonh says: don't feel guilty about the choice you make.
Lets, in the words of the late, great John Lennon...
Pray for peace.
D