This post is intended to share a most unusual occurrence as a reminder to be prepared for the unexpected.
In my current sit in Egypt, I am in a large complex of 4-5 story buildings. Yesterday afternoon I heard women screaming in the hallway and then men also shouting.
I thought it was domestic violence and yes I was triggered. My mind raced with thoughts of wanting to help but also self preservation. The screams grew more intense and had rapidly progressed to the street. When I looked I saw lots of people all seemed distressed and were looking upward to the building I was in.
Someone banged on my door and rang the doorbell. I was not dressed for public viewing.
Quickly changed and opened the door to find smoke.
I grabbed my backpack, emptied the contents and put the kitty wrapped in a towel.
Making sure I had keys, I began to descend the stairs 3 flights. I use a walking stick and the smoke was intense. For a split second I thought maybe I should be going up.
I could hear men yelling downstairs so continued till I got out. I was the last person to evacuate.
I sat next to some women on the sidewalk. Mind you I could not understand a word anyone was saying but could see the smoke coming out of several apartments.
A woman started speaking to me, and the said, English? You cannot imagine the relief I felt. She took me to sit in her car with her husband who had the ac on and also spoke English. Together we watched firemen arrive and after about an hour people began to enter the building.
Thanking them, I went back to the sidewalk still afraid to enter. Two young girls brought bottles water for us.
The stairwell was flooded, windows had been blown out and the apartment I am in is intact. Kitty completely oblivious and content.
The HO asked me if I had used the carrier. Couldn’t find it! Happy to use my backpack.
Anything can and will happen. Think and always be prepared for the what ifs.
I am still a bit unsettled but I am Okay and grateful I am still breathing.
Oh my, what a terrible experience Amparo It will probably take some time before you can settle down but I’m pleased there were people there to support you and that both you and kitty are okay. Thinking of you my friend
Thank you for sharing this @Amparo. I am so glad you are safe. I just texted my upcoming sit that the pet carrier location needs to be added to the Welcome Guide.
Wow. That’s terrible @Amparo. Well done for keeping a cool head in such a situation. Pleased it turn out ok for your apartment and the cat was fine.
You’re right in that 99% of the time sits are fine and no drama but it’s the 1% something happens. I was on a sit when one of the cats suddenly had a seizure in the middle of the night while sleeping on my bed. Quick action was required to keep the cat safe. Thankfully it worked out fine.
Oh, Amparo, what a frightening experience for you. But you stayed calm (!) and managed to get out safely, though you would have had smoke inhalation. Very kind people to look after you too. Not something you will get over in a hurry so am thinking of you and just so pleased you and kitty have survived this life-threatening situation.
@Amparo What a horrible experience for you, and I’m so glad that you and kitty are safe thanks to your quick thinking. Heart warming as well to see that you were offered help by local people.
Thanks for letting us know about your experience, prompting thoughts about what I’d do in a similar situation. Glad you and the cat came through in good shape.
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to hear people were so helpful and you’re both OK.
I always ask where the carrier and the mains are just in case of an emergency but had never thought of that type of emergency. Better to be prepared and it seems you were!
Just a quick note to say thank you to all who have reached out. It means a great deal to me as it actually was a bit traumatic for me and knowing you are there is very supportive and comforting. I am feeling nearly as abnormal as ever now , thank you.
Went out this morning and was so impressed. Everything has been cleaned and restored, even the broken windows! There is no evidence of anything except out back where they are still removing debris.
Things I have learned:
Have clothes ready to wear if you need to run out fast.
Know how you will carry a pet out in an emergency, especially if there are multiples.
Have cash in multiple currencies
I can survive without a phone (yep I left it)
There are always kind people anywhere and everywhere even if they don’t look like you, speak like you or have the same beliefs.
All the very best in your travels, sits and adventures.
Amparo
Amazing @Amparo - you’re a credit to the sitting community! Glad you and kitty are okay and thanks for sharing and all the tips, what an experience for you both #supertrooper
What a scary experience @Amparo - I’m so glad that you and kitty are ok. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, along with some tips for others in case of a similar thing happening to them.
We have never had to evacuate while sitting (we have on our own) but have been in a couple of situations where wildfires were near or known to be possible. In those cases, we ask the HOs what they would like us to take should we have to go. Your situation reminds us that we should do this always and not just when risks are known.
A few HOs have shown us their go bags for themselves and their pets. Our past Red Cross Disaster Management selves applaud that kind of preparedness!
You are one of a kind @Amparo and well done for keeping it all together. It’s a reminder to us all that not every country puts health and safety first as clearly there were no fire alarms in the building. You may well have saved lots of other lives in the future. I look forward to meeting up with you again in, hopefully, the not too distant future.
Thinking of you
Hi @Amparo, whenever I’m scanning through the forum and see your name I know to expect some nugget of wisdom from an amazing and compassionate human! So sorry to hear of this scary experience and so happy you & kitty are fine. Thank you for sharing your learnings for our collective good!!
It will probably take some time before you can settle down but I’m pleased there were people there to support you and that both you and kitty are okay. Thinking of you my friend 
, thank you.
