Re: Terrorist Attack, 14 July 2016
Dear Readers,
Today’s post is a letter to let you all know that I am fine and to thank you for your concern, and your thoughts and prayers. Jeff was away, and I went to the July 14 fireworks display with some friends. About three minutes before the truck came barreling through the crowd I was walking along the same route, thinking what a wonderful evening it had been and how nice to be in a happy, family atmosphere.
Then I turned down the street where I live, which is just off the Promenade. It’s a pedestrian street lined with restaurants and tables spilling into the street. It’s a main passageway for people going to the Promenade and is always packed after an event. So we were shoulder to shoulder, moving along very slowly. I hadn’t been on my street more than three minutes when people behind me began to scream and run, there was the sound of glass shattering and other things breaking.
Of course, everyone assumed right away that it was a terrorist attack, but there was nowhere to run on this packed street. People started throwing tables out of the way and pouring into the restaurants and buildings. The man next to me overturned a table and scrambled over it to get into a restaurant and I followed. The shocked staff ushered us through the kitchen to a small storage area where we hid and waited. At this point, no one knew what had happened or what would happen next. We waited probably twenty minutes and when all seemed calm, we ventured out.
I had been just one door away from my apartment. Throughout this time, I had been reasonably calm, but as soon as I got home, I started shaking and was sick at my stomach. When the news came out on TV and I realized what had happened, I started to worry about my friends. Facebook’s “check-in” service was really invaluable, as it allowed me to see which of my friends had marked themselves as “safe.” I’m happy to say that they have now all been accounted for. I’m thankful to the restaurants for taking in and hiding all the terrified people, even though their businesses sustained a lot of damage.
It was terrifying, but I was certainly one of the lucky ones. My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in this horrible attack. Nice is in mourning, but there is a solidarity among the people and an extraordinary kindness. It’s still a wonderful place to live.
Again, thank you to everyone who wrote and everyone who sent thoughts and prayers our way.
PS Jeff arranged a flight the next day and is with me now.
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