So a bomb went off last Tuesday about 4 blocks from our house.... http://www.agi.it/world/news/200901280923-pol-ren0001-art.html
I was home with the kids and had just put everyone to bed when we felt and heard it. I haven't posted anything until now because I just didn't know what to say about it.... They totally destroyed the Blockbuster video store just around the corner from where many of our friends live. Some people react by locking themselves inside the house- afraid to go out. For some reason the reality of it just washed over me like my morning shower and down the drain. I know that bad things happen, I am thankful we are safe, but I don't feel in any more danger than I did before the bomb went off.
Things are interesting here in that there is not one supermarket chain, or business that hasn't received bomb threats because of extortion. Most of the larger places don't pay it and so every once in a while a bomb goes of... Some people try and tie it to political unrest or rebel groups... but basically it just comes down to money and a government struggling to keep up with the criminals. Fortunately for us things are much better than they used to be.
I went for a run today and there were security guards posted along the trail to discourage petty crime. The run was fantastic. The sun was shining and people were out running, walking their dogs- it was 8:30 in the morning. I haven't been able to go in months and it makes me feel so much better... even if I had to walk every 1/2 mile because I couldn't breathe... the altitude really gets you even if you are used to it.