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AIBU?

To be worried about going to spain due to terrorist threat?

25 replies

SweetCharlotteRose · 06/08/2015 19:20

I know the threat here is high too but where we live (sleepy backwater) seems pretty unlikely to be targeted. We don't go into the cities much so although the UK is generally at high risk I think we are lower risk here then we will be in a tourist resort in Spain.
I'm most worried because we've got ds with us. I keep thinking of those poor people in Tunisia - enjoying their holidays, packing, looking forward to it, planning, booking and then the awful events that transpired.

Then I look at ds so excited about his holidays and so full of innocence and I'm gripped with terrible terrible fear. What if we are taking him somewhere and endangering him? He's so small and full of hope. I just have this feeling something awful is going to happen.

Aibu? I really wish we were stopping at home!

OP posts:

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ollieplimsoles · 06/08/2015 19:24

I think you are just having a bit of a panic due to the recent events, but I'm sure you will be fine and have a great holiday, where shouts are you going?

SweetCharlotteRose · 06/08/2015 19:26

Altea - but it's not that far (although hopefully quite different) from Benidorm.

OP posts:

scatterthenuns · 06/08/2015 19:30

You'll be completely, completely fine!

MummaGiles · 06/08/2015 19:31

That's a quiet resort. Incredibly unlikely that anything would happen there. I understand you might be anxious but really don't worry. Some of the terror threat in Spain is linked to domestic politics in the Basque Country which is no where near where you are going, and Madrid/Barcelona would be the most likely (but still highly unlikely) targets for attack. It is a very safe place.

SweetCharlotteRose · 06/08/2015 19:32

Having ds has turned me into a sap!

OP posts:

ComfySensibleShoes · 06/08/2015 21:09

I expect there are lots of us who worry like this - I know I do! We've just come back from our holidays and I felt relieved to be home! I was worried before going (I had similar thoughts to what you've described - i.e. was I putting my children's lives at risk) but once we were on our holiday I did manage to relax about it.

I think it helps if you go on abroad frequently, as you soon get used to the feeling of 'going somewhere', and you realise how many millions and millions of people are going abroad and how low the chance of anything bad happening actually is.

Whereas if you usually stay close to home (like me!) it makes you worry when you do venture further afield.

I bet you'll have a lovely time once you relax about it.

MrsJorahMormont · 06/08/2015 21:10

You are more likely to die in the car on the way to the airport than in a terrorist attack but you know that already. Just enjoy your holiday OP.

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 06/08/2015 21:21

I understand how you feel...But life is for living and you are showing DS that by going. You will be fine. Have a lovely time.

Happfeet2911 · 06/08/2015 23:11

Jesus Christ - I live in london, potential for being blown up since 1968, get out more and have a drink!!

Happfeet2911 · 06/08/2015 23:14

Why are people so risk averse, that's part of the fun! Before anybody comments otherwise, my kids are 7, 11 and 16! All extremely self sufficient, intelligent and, best of all, alive!!

havemercy · 06/08/2015 23:29

I'm the same op. Absolutely terrified of subjecting my darling precious DC to something so terrifying.

My DC love holidays but this year I'm just too scared to book. I know some would say that's letting the terrorists win but I have nightmares about it and feel like I would need a site escape plan if I was to go on holiday.

Goldbluemagenta · 06/08/2015 23:41

I was heavily pregnant in London, shopping, when my DP called to say get home right now. I waited for a bus which never came to take me to the station, I walked forever, got the last train they were letting go at the time. Saw the news when I got home of the bombings, it was July 7, 2007. DP had never told me exactly why I had to come home ASAP, but I listened and took his advice. It didn't occur to me never to return to London because it was a random event, I've been back many times.

Point is don't let fear rule your life, or you will never do anything.

Obviously don't swim with crocodiles or holiday in Syria etc, don't be reckless but don't be overly cautious because of what ifs.

GarminGirl · 06/08/2015 23:45

What's the home office got to say about travel to this area?

Goldbluemagenta · 06/08/2015 23:48

However saying that I didnt take my DC abroad for years after Maddie disappeared in Portugal, not till they could at least talk and swim and not run off. My daughter was born when Maddie disappeared so it had a huge effect on me for some reason, so I guess we all have our fears when it comes to our DC.

Goldbluemagenta · 06/08/2015 23:50

Do you hVe travel insurance? Could you cancel the trip if you are feeling so anxious.

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 06/08/2015 23:55

Altea is a very small resort. A bit like terrorists deciding to attack Cromer or Lytham St Anne's!

We're currently in a similar resort. I'm not sure how old your DS is but I'd be more worried about bringing a young child to the heat here at the moment than any terrorist threat.

Unexpected · 06/08/2015 23:58

Travel insurance won't cover the OP just because she decides not to go.

UghMug · 07/08/2015 00:05

Yabu - what if fall off a cliff after a gust of wind hits you? what if you slip on a banana skin in the park and smash your skull? What if a volcano in Tenerife causes a tsunami in England? What if you get methane poisoning sleeping in bed one night after consuming curried beans? What if you go, enjoy every minute of your holiday as if it's your last on earth and absolutely nothing bad happens?

Who knows what will happen tomorrow so why worry in the here & now about what ifs?

Mutt · 07/08/2015 00:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mimishimmi · 07/08/2015 00:15

Really? Just..... really? You've got way more chance of being attacked/mugged by itinerant locals than by some poor Moroccan /North African immigrant.

roundandroundthehouses · 07/08/2015 00:15

I'm inclined to think that, in any standard high-population area outside of an actual war zone, if there's a terrorist's bomb or bullet with our names on it then that's the way we'll go. If you avoid that as a risk then it's just as logical - in fact more so - to avoid ever travelling by car or plane.

But I grew up in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and have been involved in a major terrorist attack. If we'd wanted to avoid all risk we could never have gone out the front door.

mijas99 · 07/08/2015 06:49

Mimmishimi - have you got some facts to back that up? There was a report on Sanish TV showing that 90pc of pickpocketing in Madrid was committed by one nationality - Romanians

Saying that, Spain is incredibly safe. Crime and violent crime is way lower than the UK and no real terrorist threat since ETA disarmed and disbanded

SweetCharlotteRose · 07/08/2015 07:26

I know I'm being ridiculous...logically.
The illogical part of me wants to stay home and never go abroad again!

Ds is 6 and I am pregnant. Will the heat be a major problem twowrongs? I know they're having something of a heatwave at the moment.

OP posts:

Whatdoiknowanyway · 07/08/2015 14:16

I was at a meeting abroad at the time of 9/11. My company's official line that week was not to fly but there were thirty of us and we had to get home.
The following week I was travelling again. In between I picked my kids up from school and had to bite my tongue during playground conversations where people were fretting about whether to go ahead with plans for a skiing holiday in February half term because of the perceived risk of flying. As others have said, the risk is very low. But if you're not used to it it can seem scarier than it is.

In between travelling I was commuting into London. Again perceived risk but actually just millions of people's day to day life. At the time I didn't have the luxury of worrying whether it was safe to go on holiday or not. My job, which paid my mortgage and fed my kids , demanded that I travel.

Have a wonderful holiday.

jiskoot · 07/08/2015 17:15

I got back from a holiday in Moraira, which isn't far from there, two weeks ago and must admit felt the same before I left. However once there I felt completely safe, Altea isn't a massive tourist area so I'd imagine it's much the same as where I was.

Don't let any fears stop you. As you said the threat is high over many holiday destinations so the chances of anything happening exactly where you are at the exact time you're there are extremely slim.

Have a fantastic time

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