July 7

My boyfriend told me, “You were so close to the bomb—it’s like you went to the World Trade Center on 9-11, got a cup of coffee and then walked out before the bomb exploded.”

I think this comparison is the best way to make people realize just how lucky our group was not to have been caught in the Tube during the blasts. When I first arrived in London I felt like I could live here for the rest of my life. I felt safe, welcomed and ready to start expanding my horizons.

It was amazing to me how fast my entire perspective changed after the terrorist attack. All of a sudden I got really homesick and felt this anti-American sentiment from the British I couldn’t shake—it was as if they were blaming us for the incident. I was set on never riding the Tube again after what happened, but after a while you have to back down a little. I mean, we are here, and there is nothing that can be done to protect citizens from crazy people that can be found all around the world. I feel like I have grown up a lot as a person through this ordeal, and I know I will never forget the day I barely escaped the tragedy that ended so many people’s lives.

I have never thought of myself as a prejudiced person, but since the attacks I have found that I do view people of the Arab descent a little differently. Everyone watches these people when they get on the Tube or bus. It’s crazy that I group innocent people with the terrorists. It’s just that suicide bombers are silent predators. You never know when they are going to attack—but you know it could easily happen again at anytime. I think the saying that you can’t spend your life in fear is a brilliant one, but I also believe that it’s better to be safe than sorry. If I feel uncomfortable on any bus or Tube I simply get off and wait for the next one. I don’t think that in this situation I know exactly the right way to respond. I do know that I have never felt this type of fear when in a large crowd as I do now.