Folks...We Need To Make An Emergency Landing...

That's what I heard as I groggily woke up from some much needed sleep around 5 hours into our flight to Chennai from Frankfurt. I thought I was dreaming. But when the flight attendants came around, woke everyone up, and opened the shades in the cabin, I knew my nightmare was coming true.

In less than 15 minutes we were on the ground and taxying towards an open area where the mechanics would come on board and fix this unknown problem. We were told we couldn't exit the plane, but could get up, walk around and stretch our legs.

About thirty minutes passed when the pilot got on the speakers and told us that he had bad news. The plane needed a part flown in from Frankfurt, and that we had to exit the plane, go through security, and head towards an empty gate where Lufthansa crew members would work to get us on another flight.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

The kids and I walked about a 1/2 mile where we entered the airport to the empty gate and we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Within thirty minutes the 250 passengers were all in line ready to find out our fate. Would we get onto a plane tonight or have to stay the night in Dubai and fly out the next day?

One agent showed up. Just one! After waiting for another 15 minutes in line, I finally marched up to the very front of the line, slapped my hand on the desk and loudly exclaimed, "I'm traveling alone with 3 kids and I need help NOW!" I need to get on the next flight to Chennai. The agent stopped what he was doing, asked everyone who I just cut in front of if they minded if he put me and the kids on a flight departing Dubai in less than 30 minutes. Nobody objected and we got the last 4 seats.

We ran as fast as we could through the airport, and made it to the gate with mere minutes to spare. But my luck ran out, as the airplane closed its doors and wouldn't accept any more passengers.

So here we sit, waiting for the next plane to take us to Chennai. We hope to make it out in the middle of the night. But even if we get there our bags won't until tomorrow. Which leaves me with NOTHING ... no diapers, formula, pullups, wipes, bottles, clothes, toothbrushes... etc.

Thank goodness for Starbucks, where I'm going to drown my sorrows in a triple venti Caramel Macchiatto with whip. Grady's too... I'm sure that it must taste better than formula anyway, right?

Stay tuned... I guarantee there's more to come!