<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A stopover in the United Arab Emirates is often an essential circuit breaker for anyone doing the long-haul trip from Australia to Europe, almost a jet lag cheat code, so we thought little of it when we committed to a two-night stay.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As it stands, many days later, we are stuck in Dubai. No return date, just the hope of a ceasefire and an update on when the airspace will reopen.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Stay in shelter, stay in place" orders are keeping everyone safe inside the hotel and we've engaged all resources available, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Smartraveller, to us as Aussies abroad.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>TRAVEL CHAOS:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-global-travel-chaos-hundreds-of-thousands-stranded-as-planes-grounded-airports-shut/4a1a3065-590e-44af-b110-19f4ea835373"><strong><span>Hundreds of thousands stranded as planes grounded, airports shut</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The surreal events on Saturday have made me grateful to be in Dubai and not any closer to the strikes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As frightening as it is here, I'm imagining it's absolutely terrifying for the intended targets and I hate the thought of it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Living in Australia, we are blessed to be far removed from the physical horrors of war and in a way I feel guilty that I've managed to live a mostly peaceful life free from this worry.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-strike-iran-australian-in-dubai-the-reality-of-being-caught-during-middle-east-war/f24cef0b-6d70-4d5c-8255-5bcdee133a9a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The first 48 hours since the initial strikes have felt like a nightmare. We've heard (and felt) thunderous explosions in the near distance, and witnessed debris hurtling from the sunny skies from intercepted drones. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Or maybe they were missiles, you don't get the specifics when you're running for cover.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>We've been startled awake in the middle of the night by phone alerts urging us to "seek immediate shelter" as booming blasts sound.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Overall, there's an unsettling panic that something bigger might happen and there's nothing we can really do to escape.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The stressful reality is there's nothing we can do, we have to stay put and follow the advice from authorities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>FRIENDLY FIRE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-three-us-fighter-jets-accidentally-shot-down-by-kuwaiti-air-defences-military-says/b7051c09-716e-445d-81a3-3147f8b6dabb"><strong><span>Three US fighter jets accidentally shot down</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As each day drags on, we're in a constant loop of refreshing our flight's status, searching for news, check-ins with worried family back home and taking walks through the lobby to try and think about anything else.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Then the nerves set in as the sun goes down – it all feels more chilling in the dark.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>'WE WILL KILL YOU':</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-middle-east-war-widens-to-include-militias-as-israeli-and-american-planes-pound-iran/15701ee3-65c8-45ed-a7c3-39d63aca3022" target="" title="Chilling US threat as war spirals"><strong><span>Chilling US threat as war spirals</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The goal each day is to avoid spiralling at the thought of how long this could go on for, as world leaders boast about how this war could go "far longer".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Life is currently on hold, but we know it could always be worse. We have a place to shelter, we have access to the essentials and we are safe.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=9news.com.au" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>