So fellow volcanic exiles – where in the world are you? There are loads of us all round the world. Let me know your story, just so that I don’t feel so alone here. I have one friend in Bangkok, one in Portugal, one in New York and friends of friends in Uganda. I’m in Dubai, with two of my three children.
I have been going through lots of different emotions of late. Initially shock and then anger, a few flashes of acceptance and calm but at the moment I feel frustrated and anxious again. I’m resigned to our wait but it’s mixed with sadness and confusion. There is nobody here to help. Nothing much on the horizon. Every day there is some hope and then the next moment it is dashed. My lovely friend with cancer has just texted to say that she’s been admitted to hospital. She’s really unwell. My father can’t stop vomiting and I don’t know what they’re going to do about that. My son is due for an operation tomorrow. Ten people from our hotel are being put on a flight later today but we are not on that list AND I’M GETTING REALLY PISSED OFF.
We are lucky in many ways. We have a hotel room. We are in a lovely place. There are many things to do and see. But we are far far away from home and Builder Bloke’s ridiculous idea of driving to get us suddenly doesn’t seem so mad. People seem to be prepared to launch themselves on increasingly mad terrestrial routes home. Flying to Athens, taking a ferry to Bilbao, hiring a car, getting on trains, taxis, boats. I am hearing of £3,000 taxi rides. All a total nightmare with my two children in tow. Better to keep calm and stay put. Or is it? We have only been given a short visa. What happens when that runs out? What happens if the whole of Europe gets covered in ash for an indefinite period? WHERE ARE THE MILLIONAIRES WITH A BOAT MOORED IN DUBAI WHEN YOU NEED THEM? Or helicopter pilots with helicopters? They won’t mind a bit of ash I’m assuming. Or what about camels? We could start trekking across Saudi Arabia on camels. Although I’ve got quite a lot of bags.
I can’t resist doing a lot of “what if’s?”. I cannot believe, given the subsequent chaos that we were turned away from Heathrow at the last minute. Officials have begun to acknowledge flaws in the computer models that led them to ground and turn away thousands of flights. They would have gone ahead under US aviation standards apparently AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HOME. This crisis is affecting nearly 7m people and the ripples go far, far beyond that.
We are so unprepared for mother nature it’s ridiculous. We have become so complacent about air travel that gets us anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours that we have been reduced to quivering wrecks in its absence. What a mess. My friend is building me a boat as we speak, but it could take many years.
Remind me to buy shares in shipping companies when I finally make it back home.
April 20th, 2010 at 9:09 am
thinking of you Lu….keep perspective…your are SAFE…
l know not being ‘home’ for Dad and son is a nightmare..but be calm in the face of health and safety…
your health and your saftey…never has the word been more purposefully used…
of course my son and his teen mates..states this is a conspiracy by MI5 to distract us from the election and other ‘stuff…
luv saz x
April 20th, 2010 at 10:04 am
This is probably a silly question, but have you been in touch with the Embassy? I have a friend here in Brussels who left for Ireland this morning – he rang the Irish Consulate here yesterday to offer lifts and immediately got three passengers! I know Belgium to Ireland isn’t the same thing as Dubai to England, but they might be making plans?
April 20th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
It’s not at all a silly question. Several people have mentioned it. I’m thinking about it. Will wait a few more days yet. Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Just to make you feel a bit better;
Alice is in Barbados, Becky is in Morocco, Nixdminx is in France, Mums Rock is in the Canaries
I was due to fly to Florida tomorrow, which won’t be happening.
I am in West Yorkshire!
April 20th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Oh, thanks Laura. I haven’t been checking up on everyone and that does indeed make me feel better. What a shame about your Florida trip though! Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Oh, ugh, to be feeling so trapped. You could fly south instead to Africa…? But that wouldn’t help your wanting to be home with your son and dad and friends x
April 20th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Hang in there honey, as we say downunder. You are coping remarkably well under the circumstances. I can understand the frustration and worry, esp. with children involved. Surely it can’t go on for much longer. B’s trip has been postponed until mid-June so he won’t be seeing you til then. We are thinking of you and wishing you were still here rather than stuck in such a strange, strange land.
ps I think you should tell your friend who’s missing the London marathon that she should just map out a marathon route wherever she is and still run the race. Start at the same time she would be starting and put herself to the test. It won’t be the same without the crowds and the atmosphere but at least she can say she’s done it. It would be heartbreaking to put in all that training and not get to use it.
April 20th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Thanks darling…..shame about B’s trip but not surprising. Although the larger volcano will be erupting by then!! Good idea. Will suggest that to my marathon woman! Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Lots of mixed news in the UK today, most important are:
1. All the ash over Europe is expected to be gone by the weekend (but will instead be over Canada!) assuming the met office is correct… (uhuh) So flights from Dubai should resume (properly) within the next 24-48 hours. Sit tight!
2. There are NO Spanish ferry spaces left until the 29th, but France has plenty of spaces still, plus Eurostar has added an extra 30000 seats. People are drifting around the continent right now looking for ferry crossings.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8631429.stm
3. British banks are waiving overdraft fees and charges:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8631760.stm
So chin up, girl. You’ll be home on the weekend!
Anne
My friend Jo was offered the Manchester flight from Dubai today but was told:
A. It was first come, first serve.
B. She had to check out of the hotel to get her passport before trying to get on the flight
C. If she checked out, she would afterwards have to pay her hotel bills herself if she didn’t get on the flight.
She decided to wait.
April 20th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
That is SUCH helpful information. Thanks Anne-Lise I feel better about hanging on in there. Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I am stuck in Dubai too…with my two children aged 12 and 15. My ex wife is giving me a hard time because they are missing school. Apparent the geothermal activity in Iceland is my fault!!! Will she ever give it a rest. Hoping this will resolve itself. Thanks for the tip…am investigating dolphins. Have you been skiing yet?
April 20th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
No. Haven’t tried the skiing. I’d like to though. It sounds amazing. Well. That’s what ex’s are for. To blame us (and them) for everything – OF COURSE IT’S YOUR FAULT. Are your kids OK?? Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
yes thanks…trip to the Al Mahara restaurant at the Burj al Arab went down a treat. We ate inside a fish tank. Your kids would love it. Not sure if insurance will pay though. Tomorrow, we will explore the desert. Thursday, the souks. Fortunately we have friends out here so quite relaxed about the delay. Good luck with it all.
April 20th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
OH WOW – inside a fish tank? That sounds amazing. Expensive. But amazing. Will check with my insurance immediately. Lucky you having friends here. Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
As a ‘prisoner’ of ME for the last two years I have to admit that I watch the news reports of our ‘ash exiles’ marooned in Australia, Istanbul, USA, et al with some envy. That said I also have to concede that for many this exile is a real problem and hope that you are all returned home safely, as soon as possible.
April 20th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Jon, yes, I know. I’ve got a friend in hospital with cancer who would dearly love to be anywhere but there….so I do get how you feel. If I didn’t feel so responsible for my two children I”d probably be a little less stressed! Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Hello,
Well I’m stuck in Chicago. Not the worst place to be by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely the wrong side of the pond to be able to contemplate taking a train home.
I would like to toy with the idea of flying into southern Spain, getting on a train to Paris and the Eurostar to London, but somehow I don’t think that that will happen.
As for emotions, don’t even get me started. I had a panic attack Sunday morning. It was NOT nice, not sure I’ve had one of those before. Thankfully the day got better.
I kept reminding myself that it could be oh so much worse. Like you I have friends stuck everywhere, Egypt, Italy (not too bad), an island off Denmark. I’m grateful to have a place to stay here and not be stuck in an airport.
But I do the ‘what if’ thing all the time.
Our plane actually took off last week to go home, but it had been delayed by 2 hours and was turned around after 3 hours. Shit does happen!
If we hadn’t been delayed, I could possibly be at home as we speak.
It does amaze me that we have become so dependent on modern necessities.
But I think the thing I’m most grateful for right now, is being able to access the internet.
Staying in touch and hearing other stories and the news has been a blessing.
I hope that you’re able to get home soon.
x jo
April 20th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Thanks Lulu and good luck for a quick return for you too Lxx
April 20th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Although they aren’t in Dubai, Jetair have repatriated 3000 people into Brussels today so perhaps getting to Turkey or Egypt to catch a Jetair flight might be a solution. Channel ports are still mayhem but Eurostar adding lots of trains – friend got one way ticket tomorrow for €118.
April 20th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
honestly. if the next volcano starts fly to nbo and will come and get you!? xxx j
April 20th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Thanks darling….that is very tempting indeed. Lets wait and see. Lx
April 20th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
I was going to tell you Jo was in Chicago!! Tonight the government are saying that people outside of Europe should try to get to Madrid. You should people to the Bristish Consul in Dubai.
The Government are arranging for Coaches from Madrid to go to ports and are arranging for Ferries and/or Navy Ships to pick people up. They ahve said Madrid is to be used as the British Hub for returning travellers from OUTSIDE Europe.
Hang on in there and start asking questions :
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/021-Flight-disruption-help/024-travel-outside-europe/
The Government are now trying to help and you will get home – hold onto your sanity just a bit longer: be the woman on the metro for your kids http://kelloggsville.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-my-dear-is-what-you-call-adventure.html xxxx
April 21st, 2010 at 10:22 am
I was confused about lulu – I thought she was ‘bad jokes and oven chips’ you is also stuck in Chicago (at last post) – there are sooooo many bloggers caught up in all this
April 20th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Hi again.. thinking of you in your exile, and really hoping that you get out soon. We saw a person on TV who had managed to get out of Dubai today, had flown in to the Netherlands – I am sure things are going to be happening soon, and that your tickets to home will come up – sending you lots of positive thoughts x
April 20th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
All the tests are in, and the ash isn’t dangerous to aircraft after all(!) All UK airports now open.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8633597.stm
Good luck!
A-L
April 21st, 2010 at 6:12 am
I’m reading your post while watching the news and the first plane load of passengers arriving back at Heathrow. Hopefully it won’t be long for you now. I’m thinking it’s your son’s op today and I can only imagine how that feels that you are not there for him. You actually sound amazingly calm given the range of emotions you are clearly going through. Chin up x
April 21st, 2010 at 9:38 am
Thanks very much. Yes. I know can’t believe I’m not there for that but there’s nothing I can do Lx
April 29th, 2010 at 5:12 am
I have been going to barbados for a few years but normally rent a villa with a friend but going on my own at the end of the year and want to stay in and around St Lawrence Gap / Hastings area. I will be on my own but would like a studio or 1 bedroom room with full Kitchen/ phone/ tv. I have searched but wondered if anybody on here had any suggestions of places that meet this criteria. Thanks for your help.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Sorry. would love to help but I’m not an estate agent and i’ve never been to Barbados. Lx
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:47 am
I would love to write and say what a great job you did on this, as you have put a lot of work into it.
May 11th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Brilliant post, nicely done. And thanks for mentioning all that info – you have introduced to me to three new blogs and I love them all! Cheers
May 13th, 2010 at 6:20 am
Finally a smart blogger…I love how you’re thinking and writing!