183 dead (so far) in a blast in Kuta, Bali. 7 dead in Helsinki.

Indonesia and Finland are about as different as two beautiful places can be. I have visited and been in love with both. Over the past week I’ve been vaguely concerned for my welfare here in Caracas, and more worried about my upcoming trip to the Washington, D.C. area. These concerns have made me slightly more anxious to be home.

But now, I see beloved, familiar places on the news, the sites of violence and death. I find that extremely disturbing; it’s like a line has been crossed. Bali? Finland? I realize the two incidents have nothing to do with each other, but still it makes me think that there is no safe place.

Nevertheless, I’ll still probably feel much better in Montreal (Wednesday night, cross your fingers), but let’s not be naive: this is everyone’s problem.