Air Zimbabwe

I was supposed to fly to England today.
“Supposed to” being the key phrase.
Have you ever heard of an airline that is renowned for grounding its planes and regularly not flying? I think Air Zimbabwe might be the only one.
I had been forewarned of this possibility, and even joked about it with people on the farm – maybe I’ll be back tomorrow! – and friends in England – see you Sunday, or not! – but I don’t think I really believed that my plane wouldn’t fly.
Saturday morning, after my bags were packed and in the car, I had a tearful goodbye with my cats, knowing that they were going to be on their own for a full month. Then, as I drove down the farm roads, I really looked around me, mentally absorbing the landscape and acknowledging that I was leaving the African continent for a month.
I was ready to go. I’d spent days frantically preparing lesson plans and getting my home, my luggage, and my travel plans in order.
So to arrive at the airport and not fly was a big let down.
I can’t believe how terribly a business Air Zimbabwe is. I get there and am told that the plane is not taking off. Apparently they contacted travel agents yesterday, so many people were able to be re-routed and still fly out on Sunday. But because my travel agent doesn’t work Saturdays, I showed up at the airport expecting to fly, and now it could be days (or even a week) before I can fly. Why Air Zimbabwe cannot book me with another airline themselves is beyond me.
Why didn’t the flight take off, you may ask. I’m not entirely sure, but I heard two stories. The official version was that there were mechanical problems. The other story was that money hadn’t been released by the government for fuel. I am inclined to believe the latter.
So I am back on the farm. I spent the entire day lazing about and soaking in any extra moments with my cats.
Maybe I’ll get to England soon.
“Maybe” being the keyword.