I was a little apprehensive about flying in airplanes after 9/11 and somewhat paranoid during the occasional 'Orange Alerts' popping up frequently in America. I was also worried during New Year's Eve as I downed champagnes amongst the sky rises of Las Vegas.
So, I had hoped that my mind could rest at ease while away from Al Qaeda's most loathed nation.
But the recent bombing in Madrid has brought the notion of a terrorist attack to the front of my mind, as well as everyone else's in London.
Warnings have been issued for all forms of public transportation, especially the London Underground, also known as the "tube". Incessant announcements blare over the loud speakers each day as I await my train ride to school.
"Keep your baggage with you at all times!" it says.
I find others and myself continually on the lookout for a backpack, a briefcase, or anything left unattended on the trains. Every time a train is delayed or has a problem (which is often), we all fear the worst.
Because of England's past, spotted by many deadly NRA bombings, there are no trashcans in the underground stations. But the threat of suicide bombers remains, and whether or not everyone is in possession of their own bags doesn't matter, if the person carrying the bomb doesn't mind dying alongside his victims.
Al Qaeda has already proven their disregard for human life and has chosen their targets based on those nations closely tied to the US. This fact, combined with Spain's intentions to withdraw their troops in Iraq, makes England a very beneficial land for Al Qaeda to carry out its bloodshed.
We, as students, have been warned not to hang out in areas densely populated with Americans, but it seems the whole city is filled with us. We've also been told to use caution about visiting large clubs, but they are a large part of London's nightlife. And we've been warned about the dangers of bombings on all forms of public transportation, but we must ride to school.
It seems our only safe bet would be to lock ourselves in our dorm rooms and never come out! But we came here to experience London, not to stare out at it longingly through glass windows.
We came here to stroll through the streets, "mind the gap" on the tube, and go out clubbing till all hours before riding home on double-decker busses. We came here to learn and grow, not to creep around unable to see the view, our eyes covered by goggles foggy with fear.
Still, aside from a few justifiably overly concerned parents repeatedly calling and instilling paranoia, all of us Americans studying abroad haven't lost too much sleep. We have the alternative of doubling our commute time by riding busses to school instead of the tube, but even those haven't been deemed "safe" from terrorist attacks.
So, we've been going about our daily lives, partying at the clubs, riding the subway, praying a little more than usual, and hoping for the best. It's what Americans have been doing on airplanes for years now.
Sure, that little torturing thought always lingers in the backs of our minds-- especially when the media reminds us every day of present danger. But we've come to realize that living life and enjoying our limited days in London are far more important than fearing death--or wearing some silly cynical glasses fogged by fear.
Reach the reporter at katherine.mcdevitt@asu.edu
