What a harrowing story, @itsostylish. And yes, I can see how you would lose a year in the ensuing aftermath! It is life stories like this that led to the phrase "stranger than fiction."

But about the first part of the story, I just cannot imagine why they would not let you into the resort where you had a reservation. It makes no sense! Especially since it was before the curfew cutoff. I know people see things very differently in different cultures, so who knows. That really seemed to set everything in motion!

This was riveting. You are a survivor, my friend!