What a Week
Fear - Angst
For me that was the feeling that was held in my head, throat, and heart the last two weeks. The anxiety of the election was almost too great. The anxiety around Corona and the anxiety around the Viennese Terror Attack.
Two weeks ago started with the announcement of all of Austria going into lockdown as their numbers kept rising. High school and above went online, nationwide curfews and strict restrictions.
Klara moved out of the dorm and into our apartment in Vienna as we all felt it was safer for her to be alone than share the kitchen and bathroom with folks during this time. Stephan got her snuggly settled in, as he was there for a while, working from the apartment and making sure everything went smoothly for Klara. He returned to us two weeks ago, this past Sunday.
The next evening, Monday, Vienna had its first terror attack in over 20 years. The entire nation was shocked. We got the notification from an Austrian friend that lives in Switzerland - she asked where Klara was and then explained what was going on. Klara was home. As the news reports were coming out and we were able to track friends and family down and the reality set in. Klara and I talked and even my conversation with Miriam had the same parallel sadness. Wondering if Klara was in shock, as she was extremely calm, texted with her friends to make sure they were safe (one was hiding until 4am when the police gave them the all clear).
But both Klara and Miriam realized that as teens growing up in America active shooters are something much more common than in Austria and one that doesn't have quite the same shock effect. Sad, but true. According to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archives, the US saw 417 mass shootings in 2019. The statistics are staggering if you look at all of them. So I understand, the sad numbness at times when US teens hear of another mass shooting.
With that said, Klara was not allowed to leave the apartment for several days until the police allowed them and until she was comfortable again to go outside.
The US election news was rather intense to say the least. The world watched. In the past few months, every time I talk to a stranger and they realize I am from the US - they ask how I am doing and what I think will happen. This has happened more than one time at a doctor's appointment and on the phone. The relief as an American living abroad cannot compare to the relief of those living in the US, but I can tell you, the world watched. I was recently walking in Zurich with a friend and someone heard us talking and turned to us and asked if we were celebrating the results. This truly felt like a war. So much more to do, but at least some positive direction. Thank you to all that voted and those that worked to help get Biden and Harris elected.
I would like to end here and say that the tension was over. However, it was not. On Saturday evening, Stephan and I were walking when I got an alert from my Austrian friend again to watch the emergency press conference from Austria. We stopped what we were doing and watched. Basically, Austria's health system is on the brink. And so the strictest measures possible were being put into place. There would be no interactions with anyone outside your household, 24 hour curfews and all stores were forced to close. With that information, Klara hopped on the train and came to us. We are all in lockdown together- which though she would have done just fine on her own - it seemed like the best thing to do - to lockdown together. I will not lie - I am enjoying the time with her here. I know she is ready to continue her new life - but for now - we four are under one roof. And that takes some of the fear away.
Be Safe
Be True
Be Kind
And Be Masked