Head_in_the_clouds
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2009
Well, have to say I do feel sorry for those stuck out there as I do know what it is like. We went on a two week holiday back in 96 and ended up out there for a month as my dad left everything to the last minute and we missed our flight! It was really difficult to get flights back, it was the Daytona races and we were effectively "homeless" for a day as all accommodation was full. There were alot of tears as we were told to go on standby and faced weeks of waiting at the airport with packed suitcases for a flight and it was the uncertainty of not knowing when we would get home that was the worst. Luckily, my dad pulled it together and decided to abandon the standby route and re-book with Virgin flying to Gatwick instead of Manchester and we managed to get a flight within two weeks. Our American friends whose villa we were renting let us stay free of charge for the rest of our stay and they spent the rest of our time there taking us on trips to Miami and other places. My parents have businesses so that was a bit of a problem, my school had been closed the week before we travelled due to snow and then my parents took me out of school during term time for the holiday so I ended up not being at school for 5 or 6 weeks and the school were not at all happy, my parents got a snotty letter! My mum worried sick about money the whole time but my dad just kept saying to stick things on the credit card and he always takes extra money just in case. At any rate, that holiday ended up more expensive than anyone could have known....... the extra time was a deciding factor in my parents buying a villa off our American friends so six weeks later (and out of term time), we were back in Florida signing all the paper work to buy the villa ! It all worked out fine but when we didn't know how long we were going to be there it was awful, and I can't imagine how my mum felt with a little girl crying that she just wanted to go home and asking where were we going to sleep and did we have enough money to eat. In this case now, people have no idea when they will get home and I think that is the worst thing.
Everyday that goes by we are preparing ourselves more and more that our trip in ten days is unlikely to go ahead. It is disappointing and we didn't book a package holiday so we face losing quite alot of money. Also my parents look after young adults with mental health problems and my 91 yr old gran lives with us since having a stroke so we were all badly in need of a holiday and holidays are really difficult to arrange due to having to find care cover etc. Mum has also just been put on anti-depressants and I too have been suffering from depression for a while and can't stop crying so a change of scenery and a relaxing time would help. On the other hand, I am also concerned that even if we do get out there, if the volcanic ash flared up again and UK or US airspace was closed we would have big problems because of the people who need our care at home and also the fact that all three of us have heart problems, my dad is also badly diabetic and my mum has an underactive thyroid so if medication etc ran out or we needed medical treatment we would end up paying alot of money. Also, if I was out there for an extended time I would probably lose my job and I also have my educational psychology exams soon after we get back (if I missed them I wouldn't get to do the next part of my course for a year!). I suppose I would rather cancel the holiday now so we know what we are doing as would mum, but dad (as always!) is the stickler! Anyway, Que Sera Sera I guess.
Hope those stuck out there get back soon and manage to enjoy their extra time in Florida .
Everyday that goes by we are preparing ourselves more and more that our trip in ten days is unlikely to go ahead. It is disappointing and we didn't book a package holiday so we face losing quite alot of money. Also my parents look after young adults with mental health problems and my 91 yr old gran lives with us since having a stroke so we were all badly in need of a holiday and holidays are really difficult to arrange due to having to find care cover etc. Mum has also just been put on anti-depressants and I too have been suffering from depression for a while and can't stop crying so a change of scenery and a relaxing time would help. On the other hand, I am also concerned that even if we do get out there, if the volcanic ash flared up again and UK or US airspace was closed we would have big problems because of the people who need our care at home and also the fact that all three of us have heart problems, my dad is also badly diabetic and my mum has an underactive thyroid so if medication etc ran out or we needed medical treatment we would end up paying alot of money. Also, if I was out there for an extended time I would probably lose my job and I also have my educational psychology exams soon after we get back (if I missed them I wouldn't get to do the next part of my course for a year!). I suppose I would rather cancel the holiday now so we know what we are doing as would mum, but dad (as always!) is the stickler! Anyway, Que Sera Sera I guess.
Hope those stuck out there get back soon and manage to enjoy their extra time in Florida .