Thirty Years Ago on the Beach - #16 The Airport

It felt like weeks, but after a 4 day delay, we were finally at the airport. Time had been dragging on. The idea of a vacation ended nearly a week ago replaced by survival mode instincts. Pleasure was replaced by pragmatism. Seeing the airport was as close to a moment of pleasure that we had experienced in days. But even with that there were mixed feelings.

Any experience like this creates camaraderie between survivors. There is a undeniable bond between people who go through the same disaster. We were now leaving these people, who had become such a big part of our lives. Leaving was good for all, it was now time for all the Jamaican people to focus on healing their crippled country and for us to get out of their way. We also had family and friends back home to contact and let know that we were okay.

Coming down the upper road before the airport, the van made the loop around the roundabout. Passing the gas station outside the airport, we had made the journey.

Chaos greeted us as we lumbered out of the van. There were no skycaps, no police, no security, only tourists wandering around aimlessly.

The departure area was wide open. There was no need for doors as there were no walls. The giant sliding glass walls had been raised and people were walking everywhere.

We overheard that British Airways had been flying for the last couple days, so our hopes were raised that Delta may be able to get a flight.

Seeing the mass of people, we decided to send just one of us to the Delta counter. Gathering the tickets, they forced their way through the crowd to the line at the counter.

The Delta schedule boards were empty but a rep was manning the counter. It was going to be a long wait but there was nothing else to do. In the meantime, the rest of us found a spot on the floor to camp out.

We made ourselves as comfortable as possible on the hard hot dirty floor of the departure area.

After a couple hours it was our turn at the counter. Going to the counter, tickets were presented and the situation was explained. There were no flights today, but should be one tomorrow. All the seats have been taken for this Monday flight.

Two flights were proposed for Tuesday but nothing certain. Positive information continued to be hard to come by since Gilbert had struck.

We started to rethink the idea of hurrying to the airport. We should have waited. There was no way out.

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