It was supposed to be a short layover — just a few hours before the next flight home.

Instead, my guest found herself stranded for over a week as conflict broke out, missiles flew overhead, and the airport turned into a temporary shelter.

From sleeping on the terminal floor to scrambling for safety in a nearby hotel, every day brought more uncertainty — and fewer options to escape.

With no commercial flights leaving, the only way out came through a military evacuation.

This is the story of how a routine stop turned into a fight to get home.