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September 11, 2001
What to say?
What to say? I don't think anyone knows what to say about the terrorist attack in the US. Of course my prayers are with everyone affected by the tragedy. I just learned that a good friend (Neil) of a good friend of mine (Steve) was in one of the towers with the plane hit. No one has heard from him, so everyone is just waiting and hoping and praying.
I think we all feel very isolated over here. We have all seen the the multiple-angle videotapes of the attack, but without being in the country, I feel like we can't really understand the impact.
The Hungarians I have talked to have a very interesting take on it. Of course they area all appalled, sympathetic and supportive. But the attitude missing from their reaction (and an attitude that is very strong in the US) is revenge. There is talk of justice, but not if revenge. Hungary has been the whipping-boy of Europe for thousands of years. They have lost almost every battle they have ever entered. The country is just so accustomed to being abused that they just accept it. So this attitude combined with ocean that separates us makes it all seem very surreal. If it wasn't on the headline of every newspaper in the city, it would be easy for me to believe it's just a bad movie.
I do feel safe though. Hungary is a very safe country, and as one of my students said, "No one will attack Hungary. Everyone likes Hungary, and besides, what would they attack, we don't have anything valuable here."
I pray that something good can come of this. That God can use this for something better then we understand.
In the midst of all this chaos, shock and grief, I have good news. We finally have a place to live! Whoo Ha! We met the landlord and signed the lease tonight. We'll probably move in this weekend. It's a very nice place. It's even bigger than the place we're in now. Get this! There's a baby grand piano in the living room! ha! I'll share more bout it later.
Posted by neal on September 11, 2001 08:04 PM