This post was originally meant to be a recounting of my Paris adventures, but in light of the recent events, I thought that seemed a bit… distasteful. Instead, I would just like to reflect on the tragedy of the attacks and reassure everyone that I am safe, along with all of the other DIS students that have been in Paris this week and are still there now. In fact, I was supposed to be there on Friday night. I originally signed up for the Impressionism Paris course which included a study tour to the city during the second half of this week (possibly Thursday through Sunday?) They are all safe, but I can’t imagine the trauma they and their families have been experiencing. Thankfully, all of those close to me knew I was in Trondheim already. Jackson woke up this morning with a string of emails, texts, and messages inquiring of his whereabouts. He’s also safe! Just less informative on his travel itineraries, I guess.

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My thoughts go out to all of the victims, witnesses, friends, and family members affected. The horror is unfathomable. It’s also unnerving that this past week, I’ve spent most of my time watching Sherlock (British criminal investigations, terror attacks, etc.), and The Bridge (Swedish/ Danish terror attacks, also fictional and focused on the investigations), and reading The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, which brushes off deaths, war, and terror like nothing! I don’t really know what to say about the coincidence, but… It gets to me. And it reminds me of a quote from another book, Little Bee: “Horror in your country is something you take a dose of to remind yourself that you are not suffering from it.” It pains me that while I’ve been indulging in fictional horror and terror stories, others have been experiencing the real thing.

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And not just in Paris. Wars are taking place all over the world. On a near-daily basis, I am reminded of the refugee crisis in Europe that is due largely to the conflicts in Syria. Everybody recognizes the horror, but nobody knows what to do with it.

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I guess I don’t know what to do with it, either. I think what’s important right now is to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are, even in the smallest ways.

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Thank goodness for the rains of Trondheim.

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Best wishes to all.

Lizzy-wa