The Ash Cloud

Some friends have been asking me how bad the situation is here in Germany with the volcanic ash due to the Iceland volcano eruption last week.

Generally, looking around in my surroundings, things going on as usually...the weather is just general spring weather, sunny with bright blue sky, but the temperature is quite low, at the moment it is 5C. I do not know whether it's the ash that contributes towards the drop of the temperature when last week the temperature is generally above 10C.

What I know, the volcanic ash condition is up above the sky and that is why the air travel system is badly affected. And I know personally some people who get affected by this situation. For example, my friend, Kak Liza and her husband cik dee - both are working in the airport and they dont have to come to work since last Saturday. It may sounds like "yey, holiday!". But Kak Liza said it's not like you can have the break unrecorded, it's actually their minus hours have to be deducted and will affect the annual leave, which Kak Liza doesn't like it because she is planning for long holidays in Malaysia in June. Cik dee, however has resumed his work yesterday as some flights are able to take off and landing.

Then, Kak Liza' daughter, Zurina is now stranded in Singapore. She went there two weeks ago for holidays, and was supposed to be back last Friday. She was hoping the flight crisis would be over by weekend because she has to be at work by Monday. Unfortunately that was not the case and she has frantically looking for solution to get back to Germany. Her flight, Qantas - could only provide a place for her, the latest on 5 May. Yesterday she called her mother, asking for her help to get flight ticket from Egypt Air, and managed to get flight to come back on 27th April. According to her, so many Europeans are stranded in Singapore and all hotels are full. Imagine how much money stranded people have to spend to survive while waiting. Lucky for Zurina, she has free accomodation.

Then another friend I know, Maha the playgroup teacher, also stranded in Malaysia. She went back to Malaysia because her father passed away and was supposed to come back last Saturday. Her husband told me, he too like everyday trying to find way to get Maha back to Germany because she has job to do - she's not only handling the playgroup teaching jobs, she is also a day-care mother. So if she doesn't come back soonest possible, her job is very much affected.

Then, I have a friend who is coming to Germany for holidays. His flight supposed to be tomorrow. Although the Frankfurt airport has resumed the operation yesterday, I don't know whether he could come. I heard the airlines system is giving priorities to those are stranded first.

This is how it is....no matter how advanced the creation and innovation of human beings, when tested by natural disaster, nothing could be avoided. It was a total havoc throughout the globe when Europe sky is not safe for any air travel. No one, even those with money and power, would be able to overcome this problem.

Allah s.w.t is the most powerful and almighty after all.....