Every (ash) cloud has a silver lining?

One positive outcome is that Lonely Planet is offering 13 of their iPhone European city guides as free downloads to give stranded travelers something to do.

http://inside-digital.blog.lonelyplanet.com/2010/04/19/lp-volcano-rescue/

Previously, these guides cost up to $16, so snag them while you can. :)

Interesting to read a stranded traveller's comment about their hotel bumping up the rates because of 'supply and demand'. I'm sure there will be many more stories regarding opportunistic providers.
What a lousy, low thing to do. These establishments should be 'outed' and boycotted by travellers in the future. Then they will know the true meaning of 'supply and demand'

there have been a lot of positive acts of kindness as well. People taking in friends of friends of friends, even strangers, and more than a few creative approaches to helping people out. My son took four stranded Germans from Vienna to Munich by car last week, because they couldn't get train tickets.

Two of my adult children are Europe bound from the USA on May 18th, I keep my fingers crossed that the vulcano will settle down by then, and I wish the same to all of you heading out in the near future!

http://stuckineurope.com/

On the BBC website I saw a story from someone stranded in Hong Kong on the way to Europe. She and all other Cathay Pacific passengers are now staying in five star hotels at the airline's expense. A friend of mine has also mentioned one of his friends who is now staying at a five star hotel at Abu Dhabi (also at airline's expense) and does not want to leave.

oh yay to acts of kindness! that's great. and the hotel deal isn't bad, either. but it is good to know that there are still people in the world willing to help out a fellow man or woman.

I definitely agree with Judy in that Hotels that are "gouging" customers simply because they can, should be exposed and blacklisted!

It's wonderful to hear that some people are trying to help, as in the case of Corinna's son. That "stuckineurope" website is a great idea!

Hopefully the situation will continue to improve. Apparently the flight departures were back to about a 60% level today, and if the volcano remains stable that should get better over the next few days.

Thankfully, it's these random acts of kindness, that restore your faith in human nature. Funny isn't it how a crisis brings out the worse and the best in people?

I still have a week before my scheduled return home. By then flights may be back to normal. I've spent the past week considering my situation and ways to make a disruption in my schedule work. I have no big commitment or time pressures to return on a certain date. I've considered how to handle finances past the date I told my bank and Visa. I can call them collect in the USA and change my return date once I know what it is. Meanwhile, United Airlines website is providing info re flight cancellations and changes.

If I get "stuck" in London, I think I will survive nicely, On my second trip to Europe I was stuck sleeping on a beach in Greece because there were no beds and no boats for a day or two.

I'd like to know what others hoping to return to the USA are doing.

I saw on the news earlier this week that a New York family took in a Scottish family that was stranded at JFK. Wish I were able to do something like that.

Corinna,

You have good kids, giving a ride like that from Vienna to Munich...gutherzig.

May we all be able to head out safely in the near future!

A youth soccer team from Reading England is stuck here in Charlotte. They won the tournament, but can't get home until at least May3. locals have picked up the hotel bill, treated them to sightseeing,etc. They even made the front page of the paper. I've always believed that kindness multiplies. I hope any Rickites who are gouged by hotels, or others, will post that info here. That's the type thing that will keep me from sharing my business!

Corinna,

Give yourself a pat on the back for raising caring, kind children; good luck and safe travel to your kids coming from the U.S.

Corinna, did your kids create that website too? If so, brilliant!

I think before my next trip over I'm going to get contact info for Corinna's kids, just in case something happens. :)

There was an article in the NY Times earlier this week about hotels gouging customers, charging 3x the pre-volcano rates. Blacklist 'em, the lot.

And now that airlines are back in business there are some great moments as well. Just heard from an aquaintance that her brother managed to get on the first flight out from China to Europe to spend the final hours with his dying father.