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Saturday, February 28th.
We flew from Salalah, Oman to Dubai, UAE and arrived at 9:30. My flight to Toronto boarded at 2:30 for a 3:30 departure. Sometime during the flight the US and Israel attacked Iran and Iran retaliated by striking US bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. I was dozing and kept being woken up by crying kids, so I turned on the news on the TV on the seat in front of me and was surprised/ horrified to find out that the US and Israel had attacked Iran. Many people on the flight were watching it too. All of us in our tour group knew that tensions between the US and Iran were mounting and it was always in the back of our minds but, we didn’t talk about it much and it seemed that they were negotiating and we’d be okay.
However, now all the airspace over the Middle East has been closed. I think we were very lucky to get out and may have been one of the last flights out. One couple in our tour group opted to stay an extra day because they had found a cheaper flight out and now they are stranded. And of course there are business people and tours all over the area who are now stranded.
In hindsight I was lucky too, because I have a hate on for Air Canada, I opted to take the Emirates flight to Toronto that left two hours later than the Air Canada flight that Bernie, Alexandra, Cam and Jane took. Theirs left at 1:30, mine at 3:30, that would have been horrible if the air space closed between those two times and I was stuck! What a mess, and a lucky escape. Now that I have met so many people in all of the six countries we visited, I feel for them too as it will affect their lives and livlihoods. I hope that this conflict doesn’t spread and become a major event, more that it already is. I feel for everyone involved.
So relieved to know that you're on your way back to Toronto, Joe. A well-timed flight fortunately! But what an adventure you've had these past few weeks! Glad that all is well though we can't say the same for those who are affected by war.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe. I am so glad to hear that you have managed to leave just in time. My first thought on waking to news of the wide spread attacks this morning was where are you? I too am a little worried as I have booked to travel to both Kuwait and Abu Dhabi in December. Stay safe. Darren from Tassie.
ReplyDeleteI looked at your blog early yesterday but you were still catching up. After I heard about the US attack on Iran I checked your blog again. So relieved to read that you got out Joe. That was a close call.
ReplyDeleteI chuckled when I read about your avoidance of Air Canada. I refuse to used Qantas. Local knowledge is relevant by the looks of it
Go out as soon as you can and buy a lottery ticket! You sure got lucky....the timing couldn't have been much closer. Glad you are home safe and sound...now i only have to worry about my own upcoming trip to Israel....Enjoy home for a bit 😉
ReplyDeleteOMG, Joe! Talk about living on the edge! Glad you are safe!
ReplyDeleteAnother sign that you are living well Joe. The World is getting smaller . So glad you did not get caught up in what will likely be a reasonably long conflict unless there is a surrender .
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