There is political unrest and a revolution under way in Egypt, yet the good old British package holiday tourist is managing to save face amidst the chaos. Budget airline Jet2 has suspended flights to and from Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada with effect from 1st March, with the statement:
"Whilst the Red Sea resorts are not currently affected, the safety and comfort of our customers is our number one priority, and as such we do not want them to face the stressful uncertainty of whether their holiday will go ahead as planned. Customers will automatically receive a full refund for the cost of their flights or holiday, plus a discount off a new booking."
Although I think they have taken away customer uncertainty over holidays in a rather perverse manner - by explaining "No, you're definitely not flying to Egypt in March. Not with us anyway." - I do agree with Jet2's concern over the welfare of its customers. I can imagine the first thing to happen should one of their customers come to grief as a result of the protests... "You flew me out here, said it was safe enough. And now look what happened. What're you gonna do about it?" Prudent work from Jet2, if you ask me.
So WHAT THE FUCK are retired businessman Peter O'Reilly, and his partner Jacquie Chorley harping on about? Here we have two people who are more concerned with/interested in the fulfilment of their month in the sun rather than the very tangible elements of political revolution that are taking place literally down the road. Mrs Chorley is quoted: "When I came out from Leeds-Bradford Airport last Friday there were lots of empty seats. I suspect it is the empty seats they are worried about rather than my welfare." To be honest I fail to see the logic in that argument... if Jet2 have flown people out, then they need to fly them back regardless of booking levels.
She is also quoted: "This is my third time staying at this hotel and the staff here are wonderful and can't do enough for you. I feel completely safe here." Oh that's okay then... if you return to your room every day to find the towels have been folded into a scene from 'Watership Down' and Azizi displays a kind, warm smile as he pours your sparkling wine, then what does it matter that Hosni Mubarak might be ready to stand down after a 30-year rule? I'm with you on that one, Mrs Chorley, some people need to get things in perspective, right?
And this story is just a very tiny example of what is wrong with today's world - too many people setting out with only themselves in mind, in their own little worlds, no idea what's happening in their own state/province/county never mind at the other side of the world. Seemingly perpetually obsessed with having the latest iphone application, orange skin, cheap petrol, a 4x4... I could go on.
Just to end on a slightly lighter note: something which came to mind on the train last Wednesday as we waited for passengers to alight in Doncaster (poor bastards). Two things I REALLY don't understand in this world: 1. People's fascination with gadgets; and 2. How exactly does train spotting work? Where's the challenge?
That is all from me for now - I have a fixed gear project to research.
Thanks for reading and Godspeed!
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