According to the old saying, one should never judge a book by it's cover. That holds true for the start of my Egyptian experience. Arriving at Detroit Metro at 6:10 PM, I was ready to check in for a flight to Paris that I already knew was pushed back to 10:00.
The waiting area was packed with people waiting for the same flight. It is important to note that there were many families traveling to the Middle East to celebrate the end of Ramadan & then Eid with their families. The flight was Air France and traveling to Paris, so there were also many French speakers. There was something exhilerating about listening to the symphony of languages playing in my ears.
An announcement was made that our flight was in the air and we would be notified Of the ETA. Shortly after that announcement booms of thunder and the sound of driving rain were added to the, now, much quieter symphony of voices. We all anticipated what we heard next. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we regret to inform you that due to the weather the flight has been diverted to Cleveland. We will provide an estimated time of arrival as soon as we know the flight is in the air." Silence followed by frantic chatter.
Action at the phone charging stations picked up after that. So did the volume of frantic outgoing calls. I loaned my phone to a French couple who had been visiting their daughter in Ypsilanti. Many were worried about missing connecting flights. (we did) After the flurry of activity everyone settled back in at the business of waiting. A priest in a cassock began pacing the length of the waiting area. He was speaking to himself the entire time. I imagined he was praying. The talking gave way to Bible reading until an estimated time of departure was announced. Snacks and beverages were distributed to all who wanted them. Later Air France distributed snack boxes. The man who had borrowed my phone brought one for me and I hadn't even asked.
The plane did arrive. Passengers disembarked. The plane was cleaned, fueled and made ready.
The waiting area was packed with people waiting for the same flight. It is important to note that there were many families traveling to the Middle East to celebrate the end of Ramadan & then Eid with their families. The flight was Air France and traveling to Paris, so there were also many French speakers. There was something exhilerating about listening to the symphony of languages playing in my ears.
An announcement was made that our flight was in the air and we would be notified Of the ETA. Shortly after that announcement booms of thunder and the sound of driving rain were added to the, now, much quieter symphony of voices. We all anticipated what we heard next. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we regret to inform you that due to the weather the flight has been diverted to Cleveland. We will provide an estimated time of arrival as soon as we know the flight is in the air." Silence followed by frantic chatter.
Action at the phone charging stations picked up after that. So did the volume of frantic outgoing calls. I loaned my phone to a French couple who had been visiting their daughter in Ypsilanti. Many were worried about missing connecting flights. (we did) After the flurry of activity everyone settled back in at the business of waiting. A priest in a cassock began pacing the length of the waiting area. He was speaking to himself the entire time. I imagined he was praying. The talking gave way to Bible reading until an estimated time of departure was announced. Snacks and beverages were distributed to all who wanted them. Later Air France distributed snack boxes. The man who had borrowed my phone brought one for me and I hadn't even asked.
The plane did arrive. Passengers disembarked. The plane was cleaned, fueled and made ready.