✈️🌧 That Time My Daughter Got Rained Out in the Desert — Dubai Edition 🌧✈️

Last year, my daughter took what was supposed to be a dream trip to Dubai during April — you know, the kind of trip you plan for months in advance, pack three different types of sunglasses for, and expect nothing but glam, desert sunshine, and five-star vibes.

Everything was amazing at first. She had a stunning hotel room, and she was able to even managed a desert safari.

But then… the rain came. And not just a sprinkle. We’re talking historic flooding — the kind of rain Dubai hadn’t seen in decades. Streets turned into rivers, airports shut down, and flights? Canceled across the board. 😩✈️🌊

What was supposed to be the last couple of carefree vacation days turned into a scramble to find alternate ways home, long customer service hold times, and hours spent navigating unfamiliar airport policies.

She's also a travel agent so that helped her know what to do to enable her to find alternate flights but a little knowledge goes a long way.

🚨 Here’s what she learned (and what helped keep her sane):

1. Stay Calm + Flexible

   Panic doesn’t get you on a plane faster. She focused on what could be done rather than what went wrong. Bonus: A calm demeanor actually helped her when dealing with agents — people are more likely to help when you’re not yelling. 😉

2. Have Multiple Travel Apps

   She had airline apps, WhatsApp, and a VPN — all of which helped her keep up with alerts, contact agents, and even message other travelers. Tech can be your lifeline.

3. Travel Insurance = Gold

   She was able to get reimbursement for a portion of the alternate flight thanks to insurance. If you don’t get it before international trips, start now.

4. Cash + Cards

   With systems down in parts of the city, having some local currency and multiple payment methods helped cover food, rides, and the unexpected hotel stay.

5. Turn the Delay Into a Memory

   Instead of stewing in frustration, she met fellow stranded travelers, tried new food, and added “impromptu extended vacation” to her travel resume. 😅

She eventually found a new route out with a different airline instead of Emirates and made it home safely. It was stressful in the moment, but now? It’s one of those unforgettable stories that makes travel so real.

✈️ Moral of the story: Travel is amazing — but it’s also unpredictable. Prep for the sunshine, but pack a little patience for the storm too. ☀️⛈

Anyone else have a wild travel detour story?