Gaza bound
Well, by now I should have been writing this message from Gaza-or at the very least from Egypt. However not surprisingly my plans have been postponed yet again, this time due to an “IT malfunction” in the computer system of the British Consulate in NY, who require I go through a ridiculously cumbersome procedure to obtain a transit visa so I can fly through Heathrow Airport. Don’t ask.
That said, my passport was set to arrive one day later than my flight, and we were faced with the prospect of canceling our entire trip. Instead, we decided to send our kids along with their grandparents to wait for me in Egypt (they are now in Arish by the border) as the airlines suggested it would be easier to find a single seat than 3 seats when re-booking.
And off they went. I spent an ulcer-inducing day of uncertainty-being told I couldn’t get my ticket refunded, re-booked, or even rerouted and that there were simply no seats on the Cairo flights from Heathrow on BA. Good ‘ol BA, gotta love ‘em (incidentally, since my post several years ago “I complain, therefore I am” they have now added “Palestinian Occupied Territory” to their drop-down menu of “countries”).
Finally, through some small miracle and lots of du’a, the travel agent was able to convince a woman at the airlines to refund my ticket and rebook me at the earliest for Sunday evening while charging me a nominal fee (ok…more like $500…but I’ll try to forget that part).
More updates as I travel, inshallah. There is yet the obstacle of getting past Cairo Airport, though I am armed with a multiple exit re-entry visa this time, one can never be certain.
07/18/2010 at 3:45 pm
As-salamu alaykum my dear sister.
You and your family are in my du’a during your travels and adventures.
I’m very curious about your updates, successes & failures are we’d love to travel back asap too.
As for letting your kids go with their grandparents to wait in Egypt–I can totally relate, as I’ve been in similar situation of letting my 3 girls and hubby wait in Egypt; but the borders never opened 2 years ago.
By the way, where actually in Gaza do your family live? We’re from Gaza City.
07/19/2010 at 2:30 pm
Why do you need a transit visa to Heathrow Airport? I flew there last year and my finance just flew there few months ago, no need for transit visa…we are both Gaza bound. Do you plan to visit London? I hope it works out
07/19/2010 at 4:26 pm
I hope by now you have arrived safely in Gaza!
07/22/2010 at 1:41 pm
I read your blog and I am in love with you and your family and your voice.
Insha Allah!
You are in my prayers and I am excited for the updates and pictures.
07/23/2010 at 5:04 am
They require a transit visa for anyone flying from the US (among other places) without a valid US visa or Greencard (so if you have an “adjustment of status” or “extension of status” document-i.e. a renewal of your US visa while in the US, or if you have an Advanced Parole-the thing before the Greencard, then you need a British transit visa; its a weird technicality).