The Iceland volcano looks cool -- unless you're flying. (Photo courtesy of Huffington Post)
As the fallout — literal and figurative — from the unpronounceable Icelandic volcano spreads across the globe, one Westport family told “06880” about their experience.
Dad, mom and 3 kids had a flight to Paris for April break. Last Friday morning, they learned it was canceled.
Some Westporters might have ranted and raved. They may have looked for someone or something to blame. And — because their children would certainly be upset — perhaps they’d have scrambled to somehow salvage the week.
But these are not “some Westporters.”
“We were forced to cancel due to Mother Nature,” the actual Mother said.
“The airline offered to rebook us for next Thursday, but could not confidently say the flight would leave. With 3 kids in school, we did not want to extend our vacation after the break.”
But wait — there’s more.
“It is what it is,” she philosophized. “We have no plans, so we’ll just take this week day by day.”
This is not the 1st time they have turned a ruined vacation into a life lesson.
Bad weather in Denver once prevented them from flying back after February break. The earliest flight was 5 days later — so they rented a minivan and drove home.
“My kids still think that was the greatest vacation ever!” the mother said. “Two-and-a-half days of driving, and they loved every minute.
“So I don’t think this trip’s cancellation is much of a story. We were just going on vacation, and luckily it wasn’t for anything but pleasure. It wasn’t a big deal — we were already here, not trying to get home. I feel so sorry for the people stuck in airports around the world who don’t have money to stay in hotels.
“Does it stink that we didn’t get to go to Paris? Of course. But no one in my family is crushed. It’s a privilege to be able to do the things we do. We are all safe and healthy, which is much more important to us than a 7-day trip.”
Give that family a round of applause.
And a day pass to the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium.
Sounds like a family I know. 🙂 Glad you’re safe and sound in Westport! And besides, all those baguettes, steak frites, escargot, tarte au pomme, mousse au chocolat… aren’t good for you. Let’s go to the Duck tonight.
Bon appetit!
Hi Dan, I just wanted to tell you I totally agree with today’s blog–in fact, I did a blog suggesting the same thing to family travelers that wherever they are stuck, they should try to make lemonade out of lemons rather than spending all day waiting on line at airports for flights that won’t take off for days! And that mom is right–often times the most memorable aspects of travel are when things don’t go as we planned!
Here is the link to my blog: http://www.takingthekids.com/Blogs/EileensBlog/MAKE_LEMONADE_OUT_OF_LEMONS.aspx