by Karen Billington

Created on: April 24, 2010   Last Updated: April 27, 2010

On 15th April 2010, the world was waking up to devastating news that a volcano in Iceland had erupted causing a huge ash cloud. This was to affect millions of people throughout Europe. The volcanic ash was said to affect the engines in the air crafts and even cause some to blow. Helicopters, Air buses and Airplanes, Jets and smaller planes were not allowed to fly.

People became stranded at holiday destinations and hundreds waited patiently in the airports waiting for their flights and for loved ones to be returned. Were we prepared for this natural disaster? I think personally the British airports coped brilliantly, in what was a totally unexpected event.

I feel mainly for the soldiers in Afghanistan who cannot get home to their, wives, children and loved ones. It has been a shocking month and it has personally turned me off the idea of travelling. It just goes to show how much you actually rely on transport when you don't have it.

If I was stranded abroad after a long summer vacation, I personally won't expect to have much money on me. I certainly will not have a credit card and no other means of getting hold of any cash, so what would I do? People who I work with were stuck abroad on business trips recently and had to undergo a staggering 35 hour bus trip home.

Do we need to be more prepared for these disasters and does our insurance companies pay us out for these disruptions? Some are already refusing to refund holiday makers for their holiday loss. Why should the public suffer for something that was unavoidable?

I think that insurance companies need to be fair, we pay the fee's but they don't want to pay out. Alternative methods of transport need to become more available. What about underground train services to certain parts of Europe, like the Euro tunnel which runs from the United Kingdom to France.

It has really opened my eyes these last few days and I certainly feel lucky that I did not have a business trip planned this month. I also feel afraid that if this volcanic ash is so dangerous to aircrafts, then what is it doing to our atmosphere. Already, the o-zone is suffering from polution which is caused by us.

Also, will the ash become dangerous to our well-being. Will we become sick or affected in anyway? Nothing has been reported, but I can't help but feel concerned, especially for my children who play happily in the garden on this warm summers day.

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