Aussie Backpacker Now Very Well Acquainted With The Vending Machines In Doha International Airport

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

As the War In Iran begins to spread throughout the Middle East, with retaliatory strikes on Israel and US bases in neighbouring Arab nations, the world is preparing for a global supply chain crisis.

With an oil shortage expected to imminently torment motorists and manufacturers around the world, trade has also been restricted in the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal.

Meanwhile, millions of flights have been redirected and cancelled globally, due to airport closures in major transfer terminals

And nobody has been more inconvenienced than a 19-year-old backpacker from the New South Wales town of Newcastle, Clay Margelis.

After a whirlwind 6 months in Europe and Turkey, Clay is now one of the thousands of Australians stranded in the sterilized terminals of Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports.

Gulf airports and airlines have suspended flights indefinitely, with only a limited number of special services departing from UAE overnight.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has not committed to repatriation flights and instead said “the fastest way to get people home would be if commercial flights recommence” - which is not very helpful for young Clay, who hasn't had a shower since his final bender on the island of Cyprus last Thursday.

With 190 Australian dollars left to his name and absolutely zero chance of gaining access to any of the airline lounges, the deferred uni student is starting to smell like his old schoolbag would after leaving a ham sandwich and two squashed bananas baking in the summer sun for two months over the Christmas break.

After three days of sleeping on the tiled floors, Clay has located every single spare powerpoint and television screen in Hamad International Airport.

After receiving assurances from government officials that Doha has been ruled out as a potential target for both sides of the war, his parents remain not too fussed about his predicament. Especially given their stereotypical Gen-X belief that $190AUD should last him at least two months.

With the fast food kiosks unable to bring in new produce, and no effort made by the airport managers to provide resources or even information for the stranded passengers, Clay is now very well versed in the unique flavours of the extremely foreign food items that fill the shelves of the airport vending machines.

After 72 hours with no access to social media or pornography on the Qatari State wifi service, Clay is now in the undesirable position of toying up whether or not he should spend $12 and read a book.