Middle East conflict didn’t disrupt Macka Diamond’s trip

Days before Macka Diamond journeyed to Istanbul, Turkey, one of her army friends advised her to postpone the trip as the US and Israel were about to initiate joint military strikes against Iran, which Turkey borders.

"He told me that he didn't think anything was going to happen to me but he didn't think it was safe. But I had already planned my trip so I wasn't going to put it off . It was going to be my second time in Turkey so I told myself that I was going to to make it into a little vacation while taking care of the business that I went for. I was very excited," she said.

On February, 28, two days after the entertainer landed on Turkish soil, the joint US-Israel operations began causing explosions in Tehran and other Iranian cities. The strikes focused on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sites, missile production facilities, and energy infrastructure.

"That was when my friends started calling me and was telling me to be careful. I was a little bit frightened. I was wondering if the rest of the world knew something that I didn't as it was business as usual where I was, but the calls were coming in. I immediately called the front desk but was told that everything was okay so I calmed my nerves down and just continued with my business," she said.

"I went out on the streets and it was loaded with tourists having a good time. You couldn't tell that there was a war happening within the region. My trip was a really successful one," Macka Diamond added.

Macka Diamond, who currently calls the US home, said the journey from Turkey over the weekend was nail-biting as thoughts of bombing flooded her mind.

"Mi keep on a think that is US and dem a war so when mi a go back a US, mi nervous bad and it was like mi feel more safer in Turkey. I prayed more than the ordinary and mi start wonder if suppose when mi reach the airport dem plan fi bomb JFK [Airport]. Every time the plane jerk, mi keep on a look out the window to see if mi see any other plane a come towards we. Mi give thanks when mi reach, so now mi just deh home a gwan relax," she said.

Reflecting on the US-Israel attacks on Iran, Macka Diamond expressed concern that the conflict will cause a major dent in the global economy.

"We just have to prepare for it the best way we know how. We just have to prepare for it and be strong and keep as safe as possible and hide if you have to," she said.