To all that care,
I have had a very lucky escape. I was on the BMI flight from London to Moscow Domodedovo airport which landed just before the terrorist attack on the airport. I saw some things I wish I hadn't and I feel very lucky. Had my flight landed a few minutes earlier, things could be very different and I may not be writing this. I can still smell the smoke on my clothes. I'm still in Moscow until the weekend and have had some time to reflect on the events of Monday afternoon.
Two things struck me very clearly.
1) If I had been involved in the explosion and that was my time, It would have been very violent but very quick and I would have no knowledge of what happened or why. The pain remains only for those left behind.
2) The time between the attack and now provided knowledge from other view points and background from political and news reporters which you don't have at the time. You are dissorientated and confused at the scene. The events only become clear later. However, when you are that close, it's not just a news event, it's very real. You smell it, you see it and you feel it through to your bones.
This event was far too close for comfort. However, rather than being frightened to never leave my house again, it seems to have ignited a resolve to not allow these extremists to de-rail the western society that I am part of and I for one will not be intimidated. I'll be travelling again next week to Poland and I'll be back in Moscow within a month or so. I'll never put myself at any unnecessary risk but I'll not be made to cower in fear either.
My thoughts and feeling go to those that were not so lucky. The arrivals hall is usually a place of happiness, re-uniting loved ones, family members or even, like me, just happy to see your name on a taxi board.
For all the innocent lives lost yesterday, RIP.
I have had a very lucky escape. I was on the BMI flight from London to Moscow Domodedovo airport which landed just before the terrorist attack on the airport. I saw some things I wish I hadn't and I feel very lucky. Had my flight landed a few minutes earlier, things could be very different and I may not be writing this. I can still smell the smoke on my clothes. I'm still in Moscow until the weekend and have had some time to reflect on the events of Monday afternoon.
Two things struck me very clearly.
1) If I had been involved in the explosion and that was my time, It would have been very violent but very quick and I would have no knowledge of what happened or why. The pain remains only for those left behind.
2) The time between the attack and now provided knowledge from other view points and background from political and news reporters which you don't have at the time. You are dissorientated and confused at the scene. The events only become clear later. However, when you are that close, it's not just a news event, it's very real. You smell it, you see it and you feel it through to your bones.
This event was far too close for comfort. However, rather than being frightened to never leave my house again, it seems to have ignited a resolve to not allow these extremists to de-rail the western society that I am part of and I for one will not be intimidated. I'll be travelling again next week to Poland and I'll be back in Moscow within a month or so. I'll never put myself at any unnecessary risk but I'll not be made to cower in fear either.
My thoughts and feeling go to those that were not so lucky. The arrivals hall is usually a place of happiness, re-uniting loved ones, family members or even, like me, just happy to see your name on a taxi board.
For all the innocent lives lost yesterday, RIP.
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