nmah2987.xml

nmah2987.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-10

I am an expatriate living in Balikpapan, Indonesia, a country in Southeast asia made up of thousands of islands. Indonesia is the largest muslim country which put my family, my fiends, and I in a critical condition.
My name is James Leask I am American along with my family and friends. When the attacks occured it was about 8:00 PM here because of the time difference. I didn't here about it until early the next morning when my dad was watching the early morning news like he usually does, only today he was standing up. I walked over and watched the TV and saw a giant bird fly into a building. Suddenly it exploded. The bird, of course, was the plane. There were so many replays of what I thought was a movie, then my dad told me what happened. I was in shock.

My life probably has changed more than the average kid in the US. You would think that the Indonesians would have sympathy for us but instead they told us to leave the country. The oil company my dad works for went onto a yellow alert meaning that all expatriate families should be ready to leave the country with only a single carry on and leave every thing else behind. Also, now I have never flown an airplane with so much security. Now, our baggage has to be checked with much more caution and must be checked many more times. Today if I wasnt to get on a plane at 3:00 I would have to arrive at the airport at 12:00

I really think that we should think September 11 as a time to think. If America can make it through something like that, then America can make it through anything. I don't cry about 9-11. I pity those who have lost loved ones in the incident, and I pray that everyone has recovered from the experience. Also, I do want to say that the superstition of an attack agian on the 9-11 anniversary is bull. I reccomend you to fly that day just so you can fly for free. Please believe.

The other expatriates where pretty cautious about that. Our school bus that had the name of the American oil company was whited-out, and people tried not to get into the city as much. I, however, living here for a year have noticed that the people here ar ethe most respectful people on the planet. I trust the Indonesians, and although they are muslim they are tolerant of both non-religious people, and people who believe in other things. So to answer the question, I don't mind flying an American flag.