Let's talk about terrorists

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Lets talk about terrorists. I'm embarrassed to say that until I came to India I didn't know too much about terrorists, just that they don't like Americans, they were responsible for 9/11, and going to the airport is becoming more and more a pain in the ass because of them. Here in India (near Pakistan and Afghanistan) they have MAJOR problems with terrorists. I was reading the news paper at breakfast this morning and I was sick to see that there was a terrorist bombing in Jaipur (where I was just last month) and a lot of people got killed or injured. I've read several articles in the past few weeks with similar stories taking place in Jammu and Kashmir but on smaller scales. Before I went to Jammu and Kashmir I was in total ignorant bliss. Suhki and his family said there were some areas that were not safe but I'd never even stopped to question why they were unsafe, I was so excited to go to the Himalayas. When I got there i was curious why there were Indian soldiers armed with AK 47's EVERYWHERE!!!!! and I mean EVERYWHERE!!!!! I posted a picture of a building that had been bombed by terrorists, that was a common site. In Srinagar the hotel owner told Narinder that in this year alone there had been 15 people killed in front of the hotel we were staying in from millitant/police stand offs. One night while there, Narinder and I had to move his car to a lot about 1/4mile from our hotel, while walking back people stopped us three times and were saying something to him that I could tell was about me because they were pointing at me. Later he told me that the people were telling him it was very unsafe to be walking after dark especially with a white girl, and that they have a curfew at night, everyone must be in their houses and off the streets by a certain time. Scary stuff!! We just didn't know any better, but we rushed right back to the hotel. There's security check points that the army will stop and check your vehicle to make sure you're not a terrorist. We got stopped one time and I didn't have my passport with me, I left it back in Punjab and it could have been BIG trouble for me. One officer armed with an AK 47 (just to really scare the hell out of me) told me very firmly twice that if I failed to produce a passport my stay in Jammu was illegal!! I'm not sure what the consequences of an illegal stay in Jammu are. After making me sweat it for 20 minutes and having to listen to Laura say "I told you so!! How many times have I told you to keep your passport with you!!" a soldier came and said we were free to go. I learned two things that day. One- when traveling in a foreign country always keep your passport with you. Two- Even if it's true and you get the chance, don't ever say "I told you so" to someone. They know you told them, they just didn't listen, and now they are paying for it. Your saying I told you so does nothing to improve the situation. Ha, Ha, I love you Laura!! In Delhi,if you to go to the movies, they first check under your car to make sure there's no bombs before you park. Upon entering the cinema you walk through a metal detector and get the pat down and get your bag searched. Anyway, I have been meaning to tell you about terrorism in India because it's been part of the experience. I know mine and everyone else's big question is WHY?? Why do the terrorist do these awful things?? A few weeks back Narinder told me that every Muslim is not a terrorist, but every terrorist is a Muslim. One of my best friends in the entire world is Muslim and she doesn't know why the terrorists do these awful things either. BFF I saw your comment, I know you're scared for me but don't be. A long time ago right around 9/11 my mother told me that you can't live your life in fear because of terrorists, this is what they want, and if you're scared all the time then they win.

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Comments

[Brother Joe]

Missin my sister
Dear Adrienne, Glad to know that you are safe. Grammy called me all worried. We all want you to come home safe. We miss you! Happy early Birthday. Eddy Veder personally wants you here for the show on June 30th. Haha! Love you, Joe

[salma]

not totally true...
Not every terrorist is a muslim...and Narinder's assumption about this is totally wrong. I hope you don't take what Narinder tells you to be true, by that simple saying, I could be a terrorist. I am glad India has opened your eyes and have learned a lot.

[later]

terrorrist
you are a trarget pretty much any where in the world just by being an american, even in the good old usa