To go or not to go to Brussels: Making a decision

An image doing the rounds on social media showing the French flag consoling the Belgian one. Both countries have suffered terrorist attacks in the past six months.

Today has been a hard day for one particular city in Europe – Brussels.

The terrorist attacks that took place at Brussels Zaventem Airport and at Maalbeek Metro station this morning were both disgraceful and cowardly, and my thoughts are with the victims, their friends and family. They are the ones who truly suffered on this particular Tuesday.

I, myself, am scheduled to fly out to Brussels tomorrow – not to the airport that was caught up in the events, rather one just south of the city in Charleroi.

Going with one of my friends, I was really looking forward to the trip. I prepared the usual itinerary this weekend alongside some thorough research, ordered my Euros and packed my bag. It’s currently sitting in my bedroom right now, ready to be whisked off to the airport.

Today’s developments, which I’ve followed closely thanks to a Sky News marathon, have been the gauge of whether or not I’ll be heading out to Belgium tomorrow, giving me a tough decision to make – do I go, or do I stay put?

Originally, I was going to go. In all honesty, these terrorists don’t scare me. They want to instil fear in people’s hearts and bring Europe to its knees, and the way, I believe, to counteract that is to go on like normal. Defiance can, and will, beat them.

But as the day has gradually grown older, my stance has slowly shifted. Not because I have become afraid, but simply that I don’t believe the situation will improve quickly enough to make the trip worthwhile.

I want to visit Brussels when there are lots of people around, when all the sights and attractions are open in the city. Not when people are staying in their homes and there’s nothing to do because we have been advised to stay in our hotel room.

Brussels is a city that needs to be explored. This week, unfortunately, isn’t for exploring. Instead it has become a week for mourning, and for questioning the terrorism problem that plagues modern day society in its attempt to make it fall.

Of course I feel extreme disappointment with not being able to go on my trip as well as anger at the perpetrators of the Brussels attacks. But at the end of the day my grievance is trivial in the grand scheme of things.

One day, I’ll be able to head over to Brussels and be safe and sound in doing so.  Unfortunately, there are 34 people who will not be able to do the same.

Although today’s events have affected me in a negative light, it is good fortune I possess in more ways than one.

May they all rest in peace.