The Travel Lifestyle

Pete's Weekly Columns

September 11th: American Tragedy, life will go on, but change

Startling, Shocking, Stunning. No words adequately express our collective sorrow at the tragedy that has occurred.

Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 now sits alongside December 7th, 1941 in my mind as a watershed event of horror for America.

I want to express my condolences to all the people injured and murdered by horrendous acts of terror, wherever they happen in the world. The senseless nature of events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania is indescribable in its horror.

The price of freedom in the modern world has no higher cost than the loss of life, the economic impact, and the societal ripple effects which will forever alter our world and the way we live.

As a traveler, I am saddened by what this means for all of us. Will cultural exchanges be cut short? Will we face security restrictions which keep us from getting to know and grow closer to our neighbors around the world?

I don't think anyone can easily predict the long-term damage.

I hope, however, that we can come to see the need to be involved with, understand, empathize with, and assist people around the world. Withdrawing and seeing conflicts around the world as isolated, "other people's problems," may not be a sustainable viewpoint.

There are a lot of questions, and no answers right now. I sincerely hope that Americans not only get through this, but do so in a way that allows us to maintain our philosophy of freedom and convinces us to expand that freedom and hope to other countries around the world.

For me, the answer is clear. I will continue to travel, make new friends around the world, and grow in my understanding of the needs of our fellow humans, particularly in areas where we, as Americans, have found reasons not to focus on: Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South and Central America.

My prayers are with all the victims, and with America.

Cheers!
Travel Pete