In a world post 9/11 the question that I (and others) frequently ask is: Is it safe to travel alone?
When planning trips I always consult the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website and avoid the high-risk (orange) zones.
But honestly, who can predict where each and every risk factor in life will occur?
On a family trip in 2014 we left Sydney the day before the Lindt Cafe siege and Paris the day before the Charlie Hedbo attacks. Extraordinary timing that we couldn't have foreseen.
On my third mature aged solo trip I returned to New York City – the place I love most in the world – and had my question answered.
On the 18 September 2016 a lone terrorist set off a series of bombs in downtown Chelsea, NYC.
When an emergency situation occurs there is no telling from the outset how devastating the event will be.
Fortunately there were no fatalities and those who were injured sustained only minor shrapnel injuries.
For me it was to be a reckoning and answer to the ultimate question of how safe am I when I travel.
The following writings are my Facebook posts on that trip.
Sunday 18 September
1. Hi All, It is 12:48 am Sunday 18 September in NYC and as I have been publicly posting my travels in NYC and it is my birthday (your time tomorrow) I am starting to get messages from home as the news travels about the Chelsea "incident". I am ok. I am at the hotel and our TV Cable news is down so you definitely all have more news information than me. I have been able to clearly hear the Police and Fire trucks as the city responds to the current situation. I am 22 blocks away from Chelsea. Our hotel management have told us that they will let us know if anything changes. It did occur to me when travelling this time of year that it was the 15-year Anniversary of 9/11 but as we as a family 2 years ago were in Paris 2 days before the Charlie Hedbo bombing whilst the Lindt Cafe siege was happening at home I consciously decided to not live in fear. I hope all in this situation are well and now safe and being cared for. I promise I will be safe and sensible as things unfold. I am conscious of the fact that the world has always had danger and risks associated to living and I am extremely grateful that I have never experienced war time or lost a close family member to an adverse event. Whatever the situation this is timely reminder for me to live in the present be very grateful for all my blessings and to be aware of risk but not controlled by fear for it is surely the goal of those that do harm to humanity that we live in fear. NY is an amazingly resilient city full of refugees and families descendant from the Holocaust and wars from all over the world so I expect a very sincere and clear vision tomorrow of what needs to happen going forward. I personally am going to stay in the museums and galleries where the security is tightest. Love to all at home.
2. There are heavily armed police EVERYWHERE! And they've closed Times Square plaza for security reasons but New Yorkers are out and about regardless. Guess who's got tickets to see Diane Lane in The Cherry Orchard. So excited and I'm in the front rows. Will be an exercise in massive restraint not to jump out of my seat!
3. The upper west side is in lock down and police are everywhere. Turns out President Obama is arriving for UN Congress and staying at the Trunk Club 3 blocks from my hotel. The excitement just doesn't end! Choosing not to stand out on the street all night to wait for his arrival.
4. All New Yorkers (including me) with Wi-Fi received a notification on their smartphone this morning with a description of the suspect under investigation in the Chelsea explosion that they are now starting to name as a terrorist threat linked with a similar incident in New Jersey. Not sure about the Big Brother aspect of this but NY post 9/11 is a very direct action city! On the street no one missed a beat. New Yorkers refuse to respond with fear to this type of threat. Fascinating to watch up close. And the NYPD are the most amazing police in the world! The whole of the Brooklyn PD arrived in NY yesterday to support the city and increase security around the UN Congress. Having a renewed appreciation for quiet little rural Thirlmere and huge respect for NY city!
5. And just to make sure I feel really safe the Global Counterterrorism Forum is happening today at the Roosevelt Hotel. This is turning into one of the most memorable birthdays EVER!
6. What do you do when two planes fly into the World Trade Centre and kill thousands of people? You build the One World Observatory the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere! You dedicate acres of parkland to the memorials and create the most mind-blowing experience possible to celebrate the triumph of humanity over adversity. Had to keep my eyes shut in the lift up the 102 floors. But it is just incredible! Best thing I've done this year! You just keep security really tight! OMG I love this city! Really emotional experience for everyone visiting!
7. Last NYC Post. Home in 3 days.
NYC is my signature international city. Because it is NYC!
NYC is classic and contemporary all at the same time. Brash, loud and noisy and still has a quietly contemplative moment in every gallery you visit. Is full of complex contradictions. Is as International as it is American. Doesn't hide from who it is. Celebrates its essential self/nature every day. Does NOT try to change its essential nature. Is free to be who it is. Keeps growing and changing! Sees and accepts all people for who they are. What a way to live!
I understand that not everybody loves this city the way I do.
But the intensity of freedom I experience when I am here is the most powerful and liberating feeling in the world for me.
When I was 19 years of age I earnt my first $2,000, quit my job and travelled here for the first time. On that visit I was mugged at knifepoint on the street. The city was dangerous and divided in 1981.
I personally understand fear and danger and trauma.
Now with the threats of the modern world NYC is the most amazing place.
People help each other on the street.
This visit with the Chelsea bomb explosion taught me to trust people I don't know (again).
Everyone wants certainty; everyone wants to feel safe and connected and feel valued and loved.
The Iranian diplomatic group attending the UN Congress are staying at the Roosevelt Hotel so I have been in lifts and the lobby with people from the countries of the "organised terrorist groups".
I couldn't have felt safer. Good people understand fear and life and love and the opportunity to contribute to a safer world.
The few people who have gone wrong (under the name of religions they don't practice in reality) are just that - people who have lost the love, care and importance of being connected as one people globally.
We need to love and accept our fellow human beings and break down the walls of division not create them to move forward into a safer world.
We need to say this out loud and celebrate who we are as awesome, magnificent, special, original, humans / people.
Being fearful of who you are and how you experience the world is a limiting experience.
This is my journey and experience but I urge my FB friends to not let fear and the people who propagate fear determine our future.
The world we live in is full of amazing opportunity! Celebrate!
LIFE LESSONS LEARNT
The world isn’t a guaranteed safe place to experience.
With exercised caution, goodwill and the amazing skill of the first responders the risks are mitigated.
This was a trip that challenged and changed my sense of safety and fear in the world and I came out stronger and more resilient for the experience. #lovestotravel
