My career as a scientist has been incredibly rewarding. Mostly because of the chance to discover new information and to share it with anyone and everyone interested. And this last part means that I travel a lot to give colloquia and attend conferences all over the U.S. and the world. Although it sounds rather glamorous, most times all I see of some exotic place is the airport, the hotel, the conference center, and, maybe if I’m lucky, a local restaurant for dinner one night; I have to be back in the lab without time for sightseeing.
Then there’s the sleep deprivation and almost constant jet lag. And I’ve had my share of negative experiences: having to travel to Sweden just days after 9/11; being stranded in Heathrow en route to Berlin after a bomb scare and another time due to awful weather; being in New Orleans during a horrific hurricane (though not Katrina-level, still one that caused widespread flooding for ~24 hrs). There was an extra week in the Netherlands after the Icelandic volcano stopped all air traffic, and, of course, the usual craziness caused by missed connections (like arriving at a conference just in time for my talk, with almost no sleep and in the clothes I wore to the banquet the night before, after a very delayed red-eye). But, I have to say, being in a war zone was never on my bucket list…and that’s where I find myself now thanks to the new Gulf War.
So, to dispel any remaining glamour associated with business travel: I arrived in Dubai on February 21st to do a study on falcons, a continuation of the work from last year. We got some terrific data from some of the birds and were very excited! We made some tentative plans for me to return next year, and were thinking of how the study would proceed (yes, that is the good part!)…And then my colleague took me to the airport on February 28th…
Let me start by saying that I’m currently safe, and that is the most important thing, but the past few days have not been easy. The first day, I stayed with my colleague, and the blowback from several missile interceptions rocked his house and rattled the windows! Another colleague found a website that said that the UAE would cover all hotel and food for those stranded, so we figured I should move to a safer area. (Turns out that the offer seems to be only for those flying Emirates, which I’m not, but that’s another story.) Anyway, I’m now in a hotel near the airport, so that when flights do take off, I’ll be ready to go!
From Dubai, With Uncertainty
But for now, I’m stuck. This past Tuesday and again on Friday (tomorrow, as I write this on March 5th), I’ll continue the falcon work for which I came here, so that is good. But basically, I am sitting in my hotel room, trying to do a bit of work. Unfortunately, I am too distracted to think clearly to do anything really useful (I’ve tried to read some journal articles, and keep re-reading the same paragraph!). There is a mini-mall next door, so I can get food and fill my prescriptions (thankfully, the UAE is pretty good about selling stuff like allergy and blood-pressure pills without a prescription). I have the BBC running in the background to get the news.
I’ve tried contacting the State Department, and they will do nothing. (I was on hold for 20 mins; between calls like that and those to American Airlines for almost daily rebookings as flight after flight gets cancelled, I’ve been told my cell phone bill is now over $500). I filled out all sorts of forms in case they ever figure anything out. The airport in Dubai is now open, but with limited flights, and these are pretty much only by Emirates and FlyDubai (I’m on Qatar Airlines, which is part of British Air/American Airlines, who have cancelled all flights from Dubai).
Emirates is totally booked for weeks, and I have no “clout” there. I have the highest rank on American Airlines, so that gives me priority on Qatar, but they have to be allowed to fly, and Doha airspace is still closed…and I just saw that they are evacuating residents near the U.S. Embassy in Doha, so who knows if they will re-open air space anytime soon? Now, the earliest I will be able to leave is March 8th (fingers X’D). They have already cancelled the morning flight out on the 7th, not yet cancelled the evening one, but it doesn’t look good. I feel a bit like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz… “There’s no place like home…”
We are all thinking of you and wishing you a soon and safe return.
Hello Dr. Irene Pepperberg. Sending you many prayers, love, big hugs 🤗 Keep us posted.
Philippians 4:4-7
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. “Praying for your peace during these tumultuous times”
(Little humor now….) I bet you really wish you had wings to fly. 😊
I hope you can get home safely I love your work
Dear Dr. Pepperberg, I’m so very sorry to read this news. I’m sure there are innumerable wishes, from your fans, for you to have a swift and safe departure and trip home. May the universe protect you!
My thoughts are with you and all the stranded scientists I assume are in a similar boat. Wishing you are able to fly like a falcon back home safe, Very soon!
Many bird clubs from across the U.S. have been told of your unfortunate circumstance. We are all reaching out to you by sending our thoughts and prayers for your safe return back home soon! Don’t worry about getting work done right now. Think about all of the wing-hugs you will be getting from your birds when you return home.
Dr., if you’re willing to pay a lot of money, there is 1 first class seat on Emirates tomorrow, 07Mar that departs Dubai at 0945 and arrives Chicago O’Hare at 3:45pm on Saturday.
Premium Economy and Business Class are available on Sunday from Dubai to Chicago on Emirates:
EK235 W 08MAR SUNDXB ORDSS19:45 AM3:45 PM
Business class is available on that same flight on Monday 09MAR.
Hopefully you see this before the seats are booked. I don’t know what your final destination is, but you can connect from Chicago to about anywhere.
It might be worth the additional expense.
Hoping you get home quickly and safely! It must be so scary to be there right now. Wing hugs.
Dear Doctor! I’m concerned that you’re going through this while on in the Middle East for your study on falcon…Sending you encouraging thoughts and prayers for your safe return to us! Remember: No fear…all is already well. You are safe and sound at home….
So it is!
Stay safe, Dr. Pepperberg! Hoping you get home soon.
Thinking of you Dr. Pepperberg – hope you make it home safely soon!
This is absolutely harrowing. The casual mention of missile interceptions rattling windows while you’re just trying to do your falcon research really puts into perspective how quickly a scientific trip can turn into something completely surreal. I can’t believe the State Department isn’t being more helpful – you’d think getting citizens out of an active conflict zone would be a priority. That $500 phone bill from constantly rebooking cancelled flights is just the cherry on top of an already terrible situation. At least you’re able to continue some of the research work, though I completely understand not being able to focus enough to read journal articles. Fingers crossed that March 8th flight actually happens. Stay safe and keep us posted when you can.
Hoping you’ve been able to find a way home. So sorry you haven’t gotten more help from the embassy – that’s definitely a failure on our government’s part. When you get the chance, please let us know how you’re doing.