I won’t even lie; the fear, questions and discussions of terrorism did come up as I planned my trip to Dubai

…but thankfully nothing of the sort happened!

I was less than halfway through my 14 hour flight back to New York from Dubai when someone messaged me about a plane that had crashed leaving from Dubai. I skimmed the title of the story but didn’t read it right away…it was too eerie! Come to find out another plane that did in fact leave the same day and time I did, went down in Russia.

Two days later, I was heartbroken when I woke up to hear of yet another terrorism act. This time in Brussels, Belgium where dozens of people were killed and dozens more injured, after suicide bombers attacked an airport and subway station there.

BBC reports:

More than 30 people are believed to have been killed and dozens injured in attacks at Brussels international airport and a city metro station. Twin blasts hit Zaventem airport at about 07:00 GMT, with 11 people reported killed. Another explosion struck Maelbeek metro station near EU headquarters an hour later, leaving about 20 people dead. Brussels police have issued a wanted notice for a man seen pushing a luggage trolley through the airport.

This was bone chilling news to receive just a day after returning home from my trip. I love to travel! I love to see new things, meet new people, go to parts of the world that become the backdrops for our favorite movies. I love to tell stories about these experiences and find myself lost, wandering the streets in some foreign land.

But the more I travel, the more I’m aware that…I could be exposing myself to danger. The more I travel, the more I have to take stock and remember the world we now live in and that…

Travelling comes with its fair share of risks and rewards

A layover in one city could just be the target for bombers, the plane I’m flying in could be piloted by an exhausted captain…things could just go wrong one day! I pray they don’t, but the realities are now too real.

Although tragedies like the attacks in Paris, the marathon bombing in Boston, the still unexplained downing of the Malaysia Airline flight 370 and the 9/11 attacks in New York are out of a traveler’s hands, as I plan my next adventure and the one after that, I wanted to share the following articles I found…just to help ease the tension and lessen the fear for my fellow travellers.

“Don’t Cancel Your Travel Plans Because of Terrorism”

“7 Keys to Travelling Without Fear, Despite Terrorists Attacks”

“Keep Travelling Despite Isis Threat or the Risk of Terrorism Will Rise”

Sure, the photos and stories are amazing to share, but the reality is that travelling the world these days comes with increased risks. But truth be told, that’s not gonna stop me from seeing the world! I will be safe, I will be vigilant, I will meticulously plan…

I will travel! 

Let us pray for Brussels and the rest of the world!