Guilt trip! Travel guilt during times of war

I'd say live life to the fullest, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

I'm still going to Poland in April, to reconnect with friends and places I haven't seen in years, not going to let Putin get in the way of that.

We are still planning on going to Greece in May. I agree with what Carlos said. I do understand how you are feeling though. My mom's father was born in Ukraine so I am 1/4 Ukrainian and 3/4 Polish. I am devastated by what is happening in Ukraine and feel so bad for the refugees and the people who have remained in Ukraine. We, too, donated to an organization helping the refugees. But if we decided not to go to Greece, that really doesn't help anyone. And I don't mean to sound selfish, but after losing 2 years of travel due to Covid, we don't want to lose any more years, especially because we are in our 70's. And I know what I just said is not a problem at all compared to what is going on in Ukraine. But if we stayed home, who does that help???? Who does "hunkering down at home" help?? No one, except that it sounds like we are giving in to Putin, and allowing him to win in another way as well.

The bottom line is that people should do what makes them feel the most comfortable. And I hope people won't criticize the travelers who decide to go to Europe this spring/summer.

I am headed to France in two weeks; this was planned before the invasion. I am feeling funny and guilty about going, and the horrible things happening in the Ukraine have certainly dimmed my enthusiasm. But I've gone through it in my head, and I can't see what would be gained by not going. So I agree with the first two posters, and I am praying for peace.

Hello. I plan to travel to France in May for a Rick Steves tour and some independent travel. I do not feel the need to justify my choice. I do not fear for my personal safety as things stand today, and there will always be areas of the world where people are suffering due to conflicts. Before Covid, we travelled carefree during wars in the Balkans and the Middle East. We must help when we can and be grateful for our personal circumstances that enable us to travel.

Linda

I’m curious - if your destination was Argentina instead of Italy, do you think you would feel the same? Is it the proximity of the conflict that influences the feelings of guilt? Or a feeling that the money spent on travel for pleasure would be better spent helping those who need to travel to survive?

There have been wars, invasions, genocides happening pretty much continually throughout history. Take a look at Columbia, Syria, Myanmar, Sudan just in the past few years. Have those influenced your planning? I’m not making light of what’s happening in Ukraine by any means. But what’s different about this situation is the world’s response to it. It feels closer to home.

I don’t think what’s happening in Ukraine affects travel to Italy. It’s no more dangerous to travel to Italy than to stay at home and hunker down.

JessieM, you have hit upon what I belive to be the greatest quandry of humanity; how much is enough and at what cost to you. Neither St. Francis nor Mother Teresa suitably answered that question in their own mind and life.

First of all you have to belive in the nobility of the cause. For me there has never been one, in my lifetime, more noble. In my mind nothing less than being there would satisfy my soul. I have given more to this cause in the last 6 years than I have given any cause and all other causes over my life time. The moment I begin to feel good about it, I question how much more I could have or should have done. I will never find peace with that which I can do. Or lets be honest, I will never find peace with that which my own selfishness allows me to do.

Anyone who has an answer to your question, I am willing to bet everyhting, at best has the wrong answer for what YOU need to do; and at worst has the wrong aswer for what G-D expects of us.

On a more practical basis. You didn’t say where you were going. Might I suggest, if your heart is troubled, you land where you land and then head East. I don’t think it would take you long at all to become productive on the border. Instead of that elaborate meal, buy groceries, warm coats and toys for the children. I am thinking from another post you made, maybe your are going to Italy? Bring the family (another presumption from your other post). Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Romania all have good hotels within an hour of he border and Ryan and Wizz are cheap. I am not saying you are bad if you don’t do this. Just reminding you that it is practical and possible; and if you change one life, maybe that’s why G-d put you here.

Of course we could always argue, that the cost of you going and touching those souls would be better spent in a donation. Even I recognize how selfish it is for me to spend hundreds of dollars to get to the place where I can reach down and lift a child up; when I know full well if I sent the same amount of money it would probably have more impact. Then again if everyone went, and if everyone lifted someone up there would be no need for money.

It's a goat rodeo no matter how you look at it. Your question, in my mind, makes you better than most and unfortunately that also means you will hurt more than most. G-d Bless You.

I don't think you need to feel guilty if you go on a trip. I think the only people who should feel guilty are those that are not giving to help the organizations that assist refugees. There are many organizations out there and I think everyone should be able to find at least one that matches with his/her giving styles and preferences.

That said, everyone has to listen to their own conscience.

James E. I had the "should I just send the money" instead dilemma a few years ago when I went to Rwanda to work with Africa New Life Ministries and meet my sponsored children. When I arrived, I was told over and over again that it meant so much that I came in person. The funds are appreciated, but it was the fact that I made the effort to get to Rwanda and meet and serve the people there that meant the most to the people I was interacting with. It was a thrilling time for me to actually help serve the school lunch directly to the students and to work in educator development. To see the money I send in action was wonderful and a privilege. As usual, I gained much more than I gave.

Guilt is in my opinion a self indulgent emotion, useless unless it spurs one to action.
If I can afford to travel then I can afford to donate to groups to help the people of Ukraine.

As Carol said on a future trip consider a volunteer opportunity. I had a sabbatical from work several years ago and spent 3 months volunteering with Mother Teresa’s work in Calcutta (Kolkata). As Carol also mentioned, you get back more than you give by 100 fold.

That being said, I wouldn’t do this in a war zone being conducted by a madman. So perhaps think about a trip in the future where maybe you can combine a vacation with even a 1/2 day of volunteer work. It’s on my list again. I am taking my family on a genealogy trip in 3 weeks and we won’t be doing any volunteer work this time but am myself thinking of something in the future. Hands across cultures is why we travel.

In the meantime there are many charities mentioned on the forums here to donate to Ukrainian refugees.

Lets support Europe with our travel dollars. Nuf said.

Just about every country in Europe is helping the refugees from Ukraine. So why not travel to these countries and spend money. It will not only help the locals trying to recover from the economic catastropy of Covid but wiill bring money into the government coffers so they can continue helping those who need it.

Aimee, yes, when the victims look like “us” and the enemy is perceived as “ours”, the response is much different than when people facing the same fate look different from “us” and the conflict is “over there”.

The comparison between the treatment of Syrian refugees and the treatment of Ukrainian refugees is pretty astounding if people will just open their eyes.

Real guilt is only when you have done something wrong and clearly regret it. The rest is false guilt.

I completely understand how you feel, but the sad reality of our world is that there are always several wars going on at any given time. I don't have EU travel planned until Sep (who knows how things will be by then), but we need to try to live. Donate to the Ukraine humanitarian effort 🇺🇦

Lets support Europe with our travel dollars. Nuf said.

Ditto

jessieM, I hear what you are saying. In the same way - even more than taking a trip - I also sometimes struggle with being ok with simply being happy when so much is going wrong in the world. Or being fortunate to be born in the U.S. and not Ukraine (or many other countries) - or even being alive when someone else just as deserving as me is dead. There’s no real answer to any of those things - certainly no answer anyone else can give you. What I CAN give you is reassurance you aren’t the only one thinking about this. Hopefully that helps.

My current answer? I have quite a bit of travel planned this year. Who knows what will happen with any of it at this point. But I am leaving Friday for a wonderful vacation and at this point am not cancelling trips. I have tried to figure out logically what would be served for me to NOT go and I can’t come up with an answer. I don’t think guilt is enough. Like you, I have donated more will be needed and I can do that also. Not everyone can. Will it be enough to matter? How much would that be? Who knows.

I have also thought about how many of us were concerned a year ago with the people involved in the travel industry who had no income. Is it ridiculous for me to think that they won’t be well-served if I cancel my trips and stay home just when things were looking up? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Certainly the governments of those countries are also supporting Ukraine with this war. Does my travel help with that in some way? Does it help more if I stay home?

Like you, I AM glad I have money to send. Right now my physical presence would not be useful. But it might be in the future. So now I have to be content with sending money - but I don’t have enough money to “fix this”. Individually none of us do. I can only put mine together with other people like you.

And to other comments, I think certain causes speak to us in different ways. I happen to know a number of people who have lived in Ukraine and are very involved with children there right now - hoping they are alive. Someone else may have a family member or neighbor with a drug addiction, so that suffering speaks more to them. I also know a number of people, like Carol, very involved with some of the poorest countries in Africa - and some who travel to Haiti yearly to provide medical care.

So my thought is none of us should get too comfortable in our own skins - but we all have to extend grace to others who don't feel the same as us (whatever that way is) - and even more grace to ourselves for not being able to fix the world.

@ Travelmom, well said, thank you 🙏

I get the hesitation, especially as I was born in Russia and feel especially close to and ashamed of what's happening. That said, unless the conflict really escalates and makes tourism more dangerous and burdensome, I don't think staying home will improve the situation.

UnitedHelpUkraine🇺🇦

Continental was right. This invasion is the result of one power-mad man. Do we also feel guilty when a plane flies over our home without us being afraid? When we hug our family members or turn on the heat or sleep in our own beds rather than on the floor of a subway station or eat a meal or go to church or enjoy time with friends? Our allies in Europe deserve our support and not a loss of our travel dollars. And hopefully some of my many tax dollars are providing weapons to Ukraine. And yes, I gave to two organizations supporting refugees within 48 hours of the beginning of the invasion.

This thread was so needed by me! I tried these same comments in another thread…didn’t quite work out. So thank you all! It’s also my “travel guilt” I struggle with!! All your comments so helpful, point on and kind! We share in this! I knew soooo many of us are catching up with our pent up travel and previous cancelled trips these next coming months! I have mentioned in the other thread…I have lost my joy and enthusiasm for trip.
I am not fearful of where we are going. Viking ocean cruise…Athens…up and down Adriatic and ends Rome. Mid May. This another postponed Covid trip. I appreciate hearing this…..how would our possible cancellation help those in need??! We have been so blessed and are thankful….we are 70’s. We also support charities for all over…. and done overseas mission trips to rebuild after hurricanes….donated for refugees fleeing Ukraine. Sorry…this not meant to build me up….but does it justify my travel? We do try to live our lives to the fullest with what we are given!
What I do know…..each of us can be a light to others! Our kindness, our smile and our generosity go with us when we travel…. like our luggage!!? Maybe that’s how I will justify going. I can still have a heart and pray on for those with urgent needs now. And try not to grieve to the point of depression or feeling defeated. How does that help anyone?? All systems go….and mercy for Ukraine!

There's nearly 2 dozen wars, conflicts, disputes, terrorist insurgencies & ethnic violence going on daily on the planet. Some are more publicized than others. Just try to live your life the best you can and support those that you can.

We are planning to travel to Italy & France in May/June. It really never occurred to me to feel guilty since there are conflicts all over the world all the time. I feel more guilty about the flights and the carbon footprint

This is a wonderful and heartfelt post and while I have nothing more to add than has already been said, I will just say thank you jessieM and every other thoughtful poster. There is a lot here to think about.

I do think many of us feel less empathy for non-Europeans who are suffering. It's easier to see ourselves in people whose lives are more similar to our own and who have the same enemies. The take-away from this is that we should work harder to feel concern for those who are more different from ourselves.

More good posts. My heart breaks especially when I know children and elderly suffer after any disaster. That’s me and my persona. And it never matters where….Afghanistan, Syria, Hatii, Somalia, China, Louisiana….etc. Tugs at my heart to travel during any of those crisis. And then yes….sadly the news moves on to another. And then our pandemic. Oh my! This war is the next new crisis. And yes….we do live in a very broken messed up world….nothing new under the sun. So….I guess…we live on the best we can..Get off the couch and see new places.. Always ready to lend a hand.

Thousands of U.S. troops have been told to prepare for deployment.

Very good question to ask...not only of yourself, but other travelers on this Forum. Some very, very well-thought answers.
I will not repeat what others have so wisely posted. I do think it falls into a few dimensions, though:

1) Guilt of doing something that treats yourself while others suffer. Every day when we wake up in our personal homes or put a little extra money toward travel, dinner out, or anything else pleasurable, we have all made the same choice...every day! The world has and has had a lot of suffering. Yes, be generous to help when one can. You cannot help all suffering, so select a cause or a few.

2) Horror in Ukraine. It has weighed heavily on me, and I am not even planning travel. No one with any kind of heart can see images of the suffering in the raw human sense of what those dear people are going thru without hurting deep down inside. The horror is compounded by the fact this is driven by one man who disregards human life and who will jail for 15 yrs anyone who reports using the words war/invasion.. Watching images of Tony reporting from Poland on CBS This Morning, I began sobbing with real tears....the sorrow I feel has been building, and it popped this morning. Anyone with any amount of empathy cannot avoid feeling the hurt/horror those people are going thru......senseless and due to nothing they caused....merely people trying to live life......and then wham!!!

3) As others have stated, wars/human strife is not new......humans are being brutalized in many places on the globe and likely in your and my community, too. It is just the huge nature of hearing 1 million individuals fleeing in one week, 1.5 total so far. Picking up pieces and walking.....moms losing infants......fathers taking wives/children to the border and then returning to defend their country......we all can only imagine the fear/horror/loss.

4) Each time I see a community wiped out by a tornado, a flood, wildfires, it is a very similar feeling of empathy and hurt.

But, we all carry on in life......we MUST carry on in life....help where you can (physically or financially or both), but carry on in life.

5)Other potentials: cyber worries (could they affect airlines), electrical grid worries in our country that could be more worrisome if an evil guy chooses to take that route), ATM/banking system attacks, fuel subsidies for airlines/cruises. Those things could happen anytime, but one could feel more vulnerable across an ocean, so have back-up contingency plans.

So, a very long, curved path to say: Life must go on! We never know what is around the corner. You only have one life to live and only so much time in which to live it. None of us knows our expiration date so to speak. Be kind to others, but also kind to yourself.

And one political message (webmaster, please allow this): We MUST protect our own democracy, even from within. Our freedom is a gift that was fought for, and lives were lost for it and for the freedom of other countries (by military from our country who fought/died to help others). Your freedom to travel should be cherished. YOU have that right.

If you can find some joy and normalcy in life, please pursue it. We all need to bring more love and goodness into society. Finding balance in life is difficult. I think it’s the yin and yang concept. At any one given time - one person is having a great day while another is having the worst day possible. Then, trying to make peace in our lives between the two. These last 2 years have been peculiar for the USA and I still haven’t really regained “normal” yet.
Hang in there and know you need a break and your travel dollars will help boost an economy.

Well…I told you all I how needed your input and your wide range of feelings on travel thoughts..I value each one! Even if we see things somewhat differently with unique lenses. I do know….You all care deeply about others and do so globally! I have been humbled by you! Thank you!

So…I had not yet pulled the trigger on booking flights for our May cruise. Procrastinated. Never ever waited this long!! Thought I’d randomly check on our usual local Delta hub at 4:00 this afternoon. Expecting higher yet. No…. Best prices ever! Shocked I took my iPad in to husband to look and he was like…wow! So we are booked! There you go…..

I think there is a choice between "la dolce vita" and "hunkering down". That's to travel as an informed human being, avoiding being a burden, but showing support and concern over the suffering of others. Then come back and share what you experienced, whether thats "everything was normal" or "we need to help". You know - some of that "travel as a political act" stuff.

I had a trip to Poland planned for May, and had to cancel for family reasons. I would not have canceled for the current situation, but would have gone anyway to be a witness to history.

Aimee, I'll just say troops are on standby and that's all I can say. This isn't alarming, just prudent on the part of the Department of Defense and Administration.

It is impossible to digest the horrific images I see on TV.

I do respect the various viewpoints here. Nobody has a monopoly on what's the right thing to do. Lord knows there are many people who depend on travelers for their livelihood.

Aimee, you asked for a source of Mike's note re: troops. Newsweek sources the Pentagon:

https://www.newsweek.com/pentagon-says-thousands-more-us-troops-standby-europe-1683487

A link for contributions (multiple choices) https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D22AQFNOyotK3iedw/feedshare-shrink_1280/0/1646663013104?e=1649894400&v=beta&t=RtY3l9VtIFW4w9ehiMAmhOtaR0M3l7OC1-unVHiZyEM

Very well said, Maggie.

According to the BBC, the following companies are still doing business as usual in Russia. Keep that in mind the next time you frequent any of them:

McDonalds

Burger King

KFC

Coca Cola

Pepsi

Starbucks

Addendum---McDonalds, Starbucks and Coca-Cola have annouced they are temporarily shutting their stores in Russia. as of 4:00 PM ET.

Thanks Frank. Sad what we need to pull from the Russian people’s lives. But we do. And hopefully they soon get a clue who’s running them into the ground?

And yes Maggie….I just re-read your post. You nailed it!

Right on Maggie!!!

McDonalds just announced they are closing 800 locations in Russia.

I'm a pragmatist. I'm going to Italy at the end of next week and looking forward to it very much. Whether I'm enjoying myself in Italy or sitting here at home glued to CNN isn't going to make any difference to anyone but myself and I'm giving a teeny bit of tourist business to a country that has suffered greatly from the pandemic.

I lived for in California when Israel was suffering through the second intifada (I was living here in Israel during the first one) and I came back for a visit. I told a friend I felt guilty about not being in Israel and she said quite bluntly - it wouldn't make a difference and at least in California you're out of it and safe. In 2014 in the middle of a war with Gaza I went to Ireland with a tour group from Israel. No one felt guilty but all of us were worried and tried to get news often, but we still had a great time.

Report--back in France, watching the news: refugees are beginning to arrive, the first children are beginning in their new schools without knowing the languages, collection points available. It's on everyone's mind. A celebrity-filled TV telethon is raising money for the Red Cross efforts, showing heartbreaking images and singing message-filled songs.
As Jane Birkin said just now "we feel so helpless.". I think that's the truth of the matter; our helplessness. Remember that fewer Russians are believing lies now because they have traveled to Eastern and Western Europe. Like the Europeans, those who have traveled feel done with war after beginning to enjoy prosperity. Their eyes were opened. So come travel and don't feel guilty about crossing borders.

The New York Times online recently published this excellent piece --- I hope you can access it:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/06/books/auden-musee-des-beaux-arts.html?searchResultPosition=1

It's about a poem by Auden (below) and shows the Bruegel paintings he was writing about. Basically saying that it's part of the human dilemma to have terrible things going on next door to daily life (or vacations).

Musee des Beaux Arts
W. H. Auden

About suffering they were never wrong,
The old Masters: how well they understood
Its human position: how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.

In Breughel's Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; the ploughman may
Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry,
But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone
As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green
Water, and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen
Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.

Donna, well at least the Russians will be healthier now.

Bets, yes, it's a different world now with internet access to news. Perhaps Ukraine's best hope of for the Russian people to rise up against Putin, but that's a tall order as I'm watching videos of police beating the hell out of protestors.

BigMikeWestByGodVirginia - funny story about McD - friends from Texas were skiing in Switzerland and all they ate the whole time was from McD..... I can't even imagine.

friends from Texas were skiing in Switzerland and all they ate the whole time was from McD

In that case they should be the ones with the trip guilt 🙄!

Whaaat? We loved Swiss food everywhere! Their cheese, breads and wine….esp yummy!

I know this is off point from thread. I am still planning and hopeful for our May trip. Just booked our hotel in Athens. All this while watching the horror in Ukraine…

Just saw on news a young Ukrainian man and family who fled their home and city. He called his Dad in Russia. The son wondered why no calls lately…why his dad was not more concerned? Dad seemed to ask… why. Son explained what was happening. Dad said no way this is happening…you are wrong. I have heard this story numerous times. But…. this son has networked a site and way to encourage Ukrainians to all call their families in Russia…as they are clueless….!? Big thing he said to remember…not to get angry…try to understand their denial….and keep calling and don’t give up. Wow!

Sad what we need to pull from the Russian people’s lives. But we do. And hopefully they soon get a clue who’s running them into the ground?

Sadly, the power of propaganda is very real. As I mentioned, I was born in Russia, still have a lot of family there. All of them and my parents (who live here) consume mostly state TV and associated talking heads. They truly think this is all a product of US/NATO aggression, that Ukraine has been committing genocide against civilians in the separatist regions, and that the Ukrainian president is a drug addict and Nazi sympathizer (all of these points are of course what Russian media keeps repeating). Communicating with them been painful over the last couple of weeks. Really reminds me of people who have strained relationships with family members who bought into the QAnon conspiracies.

So very sad Anna this is true for you and family! Propoganda has proven to be real and used through the ages. If you hear it enough…. you believe it!!! Especially when you want to trust your leaders. Is it possible tho more truth is coming in….will it make a difference? Let’s only hope!! I know families in US who struggle with their political differences and also with dealing with Covid. This is hard!!!

Thinking more Anna…if we find we are feeling such horror over this war…even harder for you and others like you! You know firsthand the hurt and understand the struggle way better than me! I do separate the Russian people from their wayward leaders. Has to be hard for you to see the punishment the Russian people and family are taking! Prayer and hope and mercy!

I've donated and subsequent donations to the International Red Cross and Doctors without Borders will be forthcoming. I've scaled back my trip plans, so far that is, to just going to France flying SFO to Paris.

Historically, it was a time of war when I went on my first trip to Europe in the summer of 1971, Vietnam was still raging then.

Why only posts like this when it’s about European refugees? Or refugees that look like us? That’s what folks should feel guilty about.

Excellent point, Emily. It's sad when empathy for some fleeing violence or hunger doesn't apply to others.

Emily, you arent the first I have heard that from. You do have a point in general. There is validity to it.

But maybe in particular, in this case, the outpouring is in part due to

Technology that brought it into our living rooms
The power of the character of the leadership
The unity of purpose of those in need
The shared cultural identity that makes it much more tangible and impactful.
The scale and rapidness of the brutality

For me this was a cause I adopted with the beginning of the war in 2014 and so I have sort of lived with it for a while now. The world was not as fast to respond as we like to credit ourselves for.

But yes, there are a million other needs. Particularly for those of us who have a blessed life, it is time to give back to what ever pulls at your heart strings. This one has encouraged my heart to do more and I am in the process of adopting more, and more varied places to direct myself. Maybe others will develop the same feeling and things will broaden. I hope so.

https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/862

Why only posts like this when it’s about European refugees? Or refugees that look like us? That’s what folks should feel guilty about.

I mean I remember 2014 when lots of volunteers opened their hearts and homes to refugees. It was kinda a big controversy in Europe and affected politics significantly?

Anyway in this case there are 3 million people now in Europe who weren't here 2 weeks ago. That's a mass migration unlike anything in history, not 2014, not WWII, for the sheer number in such a short period of time. So it's not surprising it's a big deal to people in Europe, which living in Vienna, you should understand.

I have given some thought to what Emily said and while I agree in principle, in reality I would be more willing to host Ukrainians in my home because I wouldn't worry about what I could feed them and how they treat women and those of other religions.. All of these are objective reasons. That doesn't mean I don't give to organizations that help other refugees but it would likely limit close involvement.

Cala, I'm afraid you're making Emily's point. For example many Syrians are not strictly religious, and by "how they treat women" what do you mean? All the Syrians I've met in Europe are lovely. There are some different gender norms in some cultures but this sounds like you expect something very different in the home.

Also everyone can eat vegetarian meals, I think there are westeners with stranger, more restrictive diets than Muslims following hallal. Gluten-free or keto for example! As a jew I know that a kosher diet is way more restrictive but I'd sure a hope that wouldn't disqualify me!

Sarah - why, yes, in fact I do I understand as I have been spending the last two Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays working at the reception center for Ukrainians in Vienna. Washing dishes, mainly, but also making sandwiches and sorting donations. I did the same in 2015 when the Syrians and Afghans came to Vienna. In fact, I’ve worked to resettle and receive refugees to the US for 27 years from all continents. All my work is helping vulnerable humans in need, regardless of what they eat, how they pray and where they come from. I do wonder why my job seems to never go away. I wish it did.

Cala - I’m thinking you don’t know any Muslims. That’s a shame. It is very hard to read your comment. As a Southern woman, I can only say “bless your heart.”

Emily, I'm grateful for the work you're doing and have done. There's just a lot of people online who seem to respond to people caring about Ukranian refugees with "whataboutism" and it's frustrating. It is unfortunate that some Europeans didn't care enough during previous waves of migration, but it's understandable that many are treating this one as an emergency because again, it's absolutely unprecedented.

People in the US seem to be worried about dangers or feeling guilty but on the ground in Central Europe we just have to figure out how to shelter and help create new lives for now 3 million plus people. It's an absolute catastrophe, one that my region is ill-equipped to deal with as I've discovered.

Sarah, I am humbled by what people are doing. Hundreds of thousands of Europeans, and millions around the world, are digging deep to do anything and everything they can. These aren't people in the charity industry who make a living off taking funds from A and handing them to B. These aren't professional organizers or charity pimps, they are you, your friends and your neighbors working from their hearts and absolutely nothing else. Sort of sad of any one to question that. The question should be, how do educate people to want to widen their net but never to question what they have and are doing.