Sydney Siege

This past Monday and Tuesday were horribly tragic for the city of Sydney. While tragedy unfortunately happens everywhere, and quite often (especially being from the US), this event was simply different. The main thing I couldn't get over when I first came to Sydney was how SAFE I felt here. Last summer I traveled through the Mediterranean and constantly felt that I was being targeting for pick pocketing (actually happened in Malta) and that I couldn't trust anyone. Sydney is different. Everyone is seriously so friendly here in the city and I honestly felt I could trust anyone with anything. I don't even feel as safe in the US as I do here which kind of says a lot being that that's my home. Strangers are just genuinely nice to you here.
Monday I had my normal breakfast shift at work. I was doing closing duties when I overheard my manager mention a 'hostage situation'. I then received several texts from my roommate warning me not to walk through downtown on my way home because of a gunman holding hostages in a chocolate cafe. My hotel is located in Darling Harbour which is just outside the city center, but still pretty close. When the managers came and told me and my fellow worker to stop what we were doing and to evacuate, I knew this situation had gotten a lot more serious. We were briefed on the situation at the hotel next door, and were told to lock all the doors to the hotel besides the front, and also to tell guests that if they don't need to leave the hotel that day, then they should stay put. Many workers were worried about how they would get home to their families since they live outside the city and most transportation had been shut down. Having this explained to me at work made me a bit nervous being so far away from home, not having any of my friends or family here, and realizing that this actually was an incredibly serious situation. It was comforting having my boss check in with me about the route I would take to walk back to my apartment being that I live in the city. I called and checked in with both my parents around 11:30 am Sydney time, surprised to find out neither of them had heard of the situation going on. The next few hours that definitely changed though because people kept checking in with me shocked and worried about my safety (thanks y'all). We had the news on for a solid 9 hours straight and didn't move from the living room. While I felt so much safer being in my apartment with my roommate, and that I was a good 8 blocks away, I couldn't stop worrying about the four 'packages' dropped around the city. I live in the city. For all I knew, it could be right around the corner from me.
As I said before, these horrible events aren't that rare in the US. Two years ago almost to the day Sandy Hook happened. I remember everything about that day, being at UD after our finals had finished, spending time with my roommate while campus was deserted. We stayed the whole day in her bed just shocked at the news that was unfolding across the country. And then of course 9/11, but I was only in fourth grade and it was a bit hard to grasp. This situation was different. I've never been so close to a terror crime. The attack could have easily been on one of the places I frequent for my cup of coffee or god forbid a grocery store or mall or something. Bad things happen everywhere. There's honestly no 'safe' place in this world, as sad as that is. Unfortunately bad people are everywhere, no matter how many good people there are, it just takes one messed up person to completely change people's lives for the worst. The news kept talking about how these things don't happen in Australia because they are so far away from everything and are surrounded by water. I could understand exactly what they meant. Just being here the past 6 weeks I have never felt so safe. I relate with the Australian people now. Even though I'm still new to this country, I feel as if this is a personal attack on my people. I've never felt so accepted before in a foreign place, and it's absolutely horrible that this happened here. Walking back from work to my apartment that day, and then walking to my friends apartment later that night, you could just tell the mood of the city was different. The city was eerily deserted. People weren't smiling per the usual, some were crying, others on the phone with loved ones, shops shut early. Everyone's thoughts and minds were on those poor hostages being held in that cafe.
16 hours being held in that cafe with a crazed gunman...could you imagine? The terror would be unreal for even one hour...but 16!? Insane. Absolutely insane. Two lost their lives. It's absolutely horrible and unjust. I still can't believe everything that has unfolded. And how fortunate I am that it wasn't me. I don't believe in luck, but I am very thankful I had my job that morning, keeping me away from the 'wrong place' at the 'wrong time'.
Seeing the memorial of flowers started for all the victims and their families is truly heartwarming. Tragedy brings people together. We are all human at the end of the day, no matter all our differences and where we may come from. Everyone knows heartbreak and we take comfort in having one another to turn to. There really is nothing more we can do now besides appreciating the people in our lives and being as kind hearted as we possibly can to one another. As I watched a street performer yesterday, he explained he doesn't normally do Wednesday shows, but that Sydney really needed a laugh right about now. I teared up along with most people in the crowd. A horrible thing has happened, but we are still here. We are okay, and we will get through this.