since I arrived in Europe last week, there has been one bomb detonated in rome (no deaths), a group of men randomly trying to stab strangers on the streets of Milan, and two successful stabbing in Milano centrale. A protest was held in the area of Paris because an 80 year old woman was sexually assaulted and women no longer are welcomed in certain places. This is where I had some less than pleasant encounters as a woman walking alone last year in the middle of day. It is real. I am  guessing unless you use twitter a lot you havent seen this on the news.

I've walked within inches of more machine guns than I can count. Was just searched while entering a building to pick up museum passes for my class. While supervising a group of 18 get on the rome metro, I watched as 3 men got on together, spread out, communicate with their eyes, then exit together at the main train station. Could be nothing but I can tell you that this is happening constantly. I trust my instinctS. take that as you wish.

I teach over here every year and am vigilant in reminding students to look up and be aware. sitting together in a crowded station while waiting for trains has now become something that requires a level of alertness that far exceeds the days of being on the lookout for pick pockets.

times are not changing; they have changed.