I bought a plane ticket to a country with a major health crisis going on 8 days before I was supposed to fly. Airlines had already suspended service and cancelled flights. The US government gave China a Level 4 Travel Advisory. Do not travel.
But, I crossed my fingers and prayed that that was at bad as it would get, that they wouldn’t cancel anymore flights. After 5 days with no changes, I thought I was safe, that I could let my school in China know that I had a flight and would be there on time.
2 hours after I sent the email, right as I was going to sleep, I got an text – your flight to Hong Kong is cancelled. I could almost hear the mocking laughing.
A quick internet search later, I found out the airline decided to suspend all flights to Hong Kong for 2 weeks starting in two days, which just so happened to be two days before I was supposed to fly.
I had a flight for 5 days. Not quite the 8 that would have gotten me to my new life.
Now, for a new flight… (cue the frantic searching music)
Disaster averted! I have a new flight!
I am leaving the same day, just a couple hours later. I still have a layover, just a different city. I still get to Hong Kong the same day, just an hour later. It’s almost the same flight, just different airlines and about $50 more, but still less than what I’ll get reimbursed.
So, not that disastrous after all.
Let’s see how long it lasts this time…
Can I make it all the way to China?
Update:
More delays.
This time my flight lasted 2 days.
My school decided that the risks posed by the virus are too great for me to arrive and schools to open. I have been told to arrive in “around” two weeks.
Now, to wait and see what happens with the virus situation. Does it get better? Or do people keep getting sick?
My TEFL Adventure 