Burnley hairdresser Andrea Driver stranded in Sri Lanka as war in Middle East rages on
A Burnley hairdresser, stranded in Sri Lanka as the Middle East conflict continues, says she is desperate to get home.
Andrea Driver and her husband Graham have had two flights cancelled, and been unable to book plane seats as they are all sold out. They finally managed to book flights for this Saturday, but there could still be a chance they may be cancelled.
“I know people say at least we are stranded in a lovely place but at the moment all we want to do is get home,” said Andrea. “Our lovely holiday has turned into a nightmare and we have been away for nearly six weeks now.”
With 40 years experience in the profession Andrea has run her salon, Hair Junction in Brierfield for 22 years. She previously owned a thriving salon in Branch Road in Burnley. She added: “I’m worried about the impact on my business as I’ve to cancel so many clients. My staff have been amazing though.”
The couple flew to Dubai for a five day break with friends on Friday, February 6. When their friends flew home Andrea and Graham travelled to Sri Lanka on Friday, February 13, and are staying in the resort of Bentota.
Andrea said: “To book our flights we have had to make the one and a quarter hour journey into the main city each day. It has been so stressful.”
Andrea has had to reassure her elderly parents, who are both in their 80s, that she and Graham are safe. She said: “This has made them so anxious for our safety and my mum is worried we will have to fly through Dubai.”
Andrea is also concerned about the welfare of her two pet dogs, Ernie the labrador who is staying with a friend and her rescue Chou chou, Domino who is in kennels.
The couple even considered flying to Vancouver, where their daughter Courtney lives, via Hong Kong, a journey of 40 hours at a cost of £2,500 each. They would have then made a return flight to London, and avoided flying through Dubai.
Flying with Emirates airlines the couple are hoping to be reimbursed for the added accommodation and food costs they have been forced to fork out for, but they are not hopeful this will happen.
Andrea added: “We have met a lot of people in the same position who are really struggling financially with this, it’s just an awful situation.”