Iceland wasn't on the Itinerary was it?

A small snow storm delayed our departure from Montreal, but no big deal as we were supposed to have a three hour layover in Zurich. But past the point of no return, and half way across the Atlantic, the message by the purser goes out "If there is a doctor on board or medical staff, please identify yourself to one of the cabin crew".Oh oh. Either someone has decided to give birth or someone is having a heart attack I decide. It was the later, and the Captain makes the decision and announcement that he has decided to make the one hour reroute to Reykjavik, Iceland. Ambulance arrives, plane is refueled, luggage unloaded and the patient is safely in the hands of Iceland's medical staff and we are back in the air.

We will miss our connection, but fortunately someone has the good sense to hold the plane for 30 minutes, as there were probably about 10 of us in the same situation. A mad dash through Zurich Airport, and we breathlessly arrive at the gate. Comfortably seated, I start reading the London Times to discover there had been a suicide bomber in an Istanbul market, killing 10 German tourists. If that wasn't unnerving enough, the pilot makes the customary welcome announcement and description of routing. "Across Turkey, over Iran and on through Pakistan". A little unnerving, but in the end all is good.

Surprisingly, easy passage through customs and immigration. Efficient meet and greet with the local representative and a quick trip to our well appointed hotel. It has been close to 21 hours on a plane with the exception of a 15 minute dash through Zurich airport. It is a 10 1/2 hour time difference from home and it is time to get some shuteye before a departure to Aurandabad and The Caves tomorrow.