Talking Turkey (and other places too)

“The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to potential risks of travel to and throughout Europe following several terrorist attacks, including the March 22 attacks in Brussels claimed by ISIL.  Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants, and transportation. This Travel Alert expires on June 20, 2016.”
 
Well that about sums up our upcoming trip quite well I think. We are a week away from a trip that will bring us to a few problem areas of the world. There is heightened security at the Rome and Amsterdam airport (we’ll be at both), and I am pretty sure every European country is on edge.
 
Oh and did I mention we will be in Istanbul Turkey? In today’s Daily Mail more warnings…”More terrorist attacks may be ‘imminent’ in the Turkish cities of Istanbul and Ankara, the Foreign Office warned today.”
 
It happened on the last trip too where we were going to be in Tunis Tunisia in April 2015, but a bombing in the tourist area of Tunis on March 18 killed 22 people, including 20 tourists, most from a cruise ship. So our itinerary changed and we didn’t visit Tunisia.
 
Mellissa and I were talking today that normally we try not to let this kind of threat get to us. But this one is different. I’m feeling a bit unsafe over this trip. I’m nervous I guess. But I also am excited to see things I’ve yet to see.
 
People have said to me that we can’t let the terrorists win. OK sure, but you also don’t want to put yourself and the ones you love in harm’s way.
 
While I’m a bit surprised Holland America hasn’t cancelled our Turkey stops (yet) I am also happy that there is still a chance we get to see Istanbul. Just two years ago Istanbul knocked Paris from its number one spot as the world’s top destination. Now it is number five, with over 12 million visitors in 2015. I want to be a positive statistic in Istanbul. Here's to a safe and satisfying visit!