23 April, 2020

Travel #AtoZChallenge

One of the first changes we made when we realized Covid-19 was going to have a huge impact on the whole world, was changing our Travel plans.

After I returned from my nephew's funeral in September, Brett said he had been thinking that we should plan a longer trip to the US for the summer. Time to see all of our family in happier settings. He knew that Traveling alone all that way, for such a heavy event, was hard on me, and we need to have intentional "this may be the last time we see you" visits. 

Then, my sister died, and we both Traveled to the US for that. It made it even more important for us to plan a trip for fun. 

We wanted to Travel in June. I usually start tracking airfares about three months in advance, and watch for price fluctuations. That was March. 

All Hell broke loose during that month, and we looked at each other and agreed. "We can't make this trip in June." Optimistically, I thought maybe October would be an alternative. My niece is getting married that month, and although we hadn't intended to make the trip, if we can't go in June, why not do it then? 

Now, however, unless things change in how America handles this pandemic, I don't think Traveling there will be wise. Even if the US opens its borders, that doesn't make every other airport we would travel through safe. With a US passport, we can go there anytime. But we live in Vietnam. Before completely closing our borders, Vietnam issued a list of nationalities that would not be allowed in. That was early on. China, Korea, Italy, UK... countries that were hit hard at that point were denied entry.

Even as the US began showing more cases of Covid-19, we were not on the list. (There was a lot of grumbling among expats about that preferential treatment, I can tell you!) Now, no international flights are coming in, and even domestic travel is heavily regulated. (Changing cities may result in 14 day quarantine, so only go if you MUST!) My guess is, as Vietnam eventually re-opens borders, they will do so gradually, with lists of acceptable and unacceptable passport countries. 

I expect that, with the current trend of this disease in the US, even in October*, the US may be in a questionable state. We will not leave if we can't return to our home.

*Because to Travel there, I need to get tickets early. It's not a trip you take on a whim, just walking into the airport and expecting a seat on a plane. So if we want to Travel in October, I'll need to start planning by the end of July. Hmm...

We're thinking June, 2021 sounds like a good time to Travel.

What trips will you take when you feel able to do so?

8 comments:

  1. Travel plans are canceled of course, no more travel outside the country until 2021. So holidays will be not far away...

    T is for Taupe

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    1. That's what I hope everyone is planning. I have a friend who was setting up a high school reunion for June. A month ago I suggested she make a statement on the webpage about delaying it before people make plans. But opinions are so volatile in the US right now, she didn't want to ruffle feathers either way. Only this week did she change the page to say that it was delayed indefinitely.

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  2. You'd think the government would have a plan by now on how to deal with this. But, as you know, at the moment we have no functioning federal government.

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    1. Yes, and since each State has control over themselves, it's up to 50 different governors with different constituencies with different concerns, to try to be smart for everyone.

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  3. Last fall we booked a Baltic cruise for August of this year. It leaves from Amsterdam and goes to Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia... We are trying to decide if it would be wise to go...maybe we should cancel. We need to make a decision by early May when the balance is due (although, I think the cruise line now offers a refund even if canceled a day or so before sailing).

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    1. Wow. That's a tough call. August feels so far off! To decide in May... Personally, I'm just happy to stay where I am. When we're ready to travel, we will definitely take Covid into account.

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  4. I know I am a direct descendent of Marco Polo. I'm always up to travel. The problem is I have to get someone to stay at my house to take care of the people living with me and then have some of my dogs boarded. It is one grand mess and gets more expensive than the actual trip. So I go no where.

    With Covid, it is strange how the quarantine is an uncomfortable feeling. I don't expect things to get better in the states. I live in GA where they are opening up early to "save" the economy. Actually it is to avoid paying unemployment. So it is a mess that will not end soon.

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    1. That's the main reason I never wanted to keep a pet. I've dog-sat often enough to know that I don't want to request that kind of huge favor from anyone.

      I wish you well. Stay safe. Whatever the government does, do your part for safety!

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I enjoy a good debate. Feel free to shake things up. Tell me I'm wrong. Ask me why I have such a weird opinion. ...or, just laugh and tell how this relates to you and your life.