Travel Frenzy

Once again, readers, I abandoned you. I haven’t written in my blog for so long that the folder wasn’t even in my recent documents! Then again, I have a lot of work documents in my recent docs. How funny is it that I created a folder in March 2020 called “Work From Home Covid” because I thought it would be temporary? Now, 18 months later, I’m realizing I should probably buy a new laptop solely for work (instead of a folder) that functions better. But I digress.

I haven’t really been absent because I’ve been working, I’ve been absent because I’ve be absent. Out of office. Flew the coop. Sayonara.

Before I regale you with my travel shenanigans, I must add that yes, I know it is dangerous. I know Covid is still raging. I now know many people who have gotten the virus. But personally, I try to stay as safe as I can. I’m vaccinated, I test often (6 times in the last 5 weeks!) and I always wear a mask around people. That said, I finally reached the end of my rope. I was stir-crazy. I needed to go out and see the world! Also, TBH, I want to have kids and my eggs are going to expire before this pandemic is over so YOLO.

PHEW! Now that that’s out of the way, want to know where I’ve been since Alaska back in May? Wellll… Philadelphia (twice). Seattle. Aruba. France (Paris-Aix-en-Provence-Cannes-Nice-Eze-Monaco-Paris), and Iceland. It’s been a whirlwind. Oh, and I’m leaving for Portugal in 6 days (pending yet another Covid test).

This blog would be 100 pages long if I told you about all of those trips, so I think I’ll just stick with some of the generalities around Covid travel.

1. It’s COMPLICATED. Like, VERY. Every country has its own rules. Are you allowed in? Do you need to be vaccinated? Do you need to quarantine when you arrive? Do you also need a test? PCR or rapid? Within 48 or 72 hours of departure? Or of arrival? Do you need a special app or QR code to board the plane? Do you need to fill out an attestation form online first? And don’t get me started about testing to come home. You need that too! And if they don’t speak English? Good luck getting your results.
2. People have similar values. If you go somewhere like Iceland, where 75% of their population is fully vaccinated, you will find a lot of people who have similar values. In fact, we met multiple groups of tourists who were home-bound for years, and mentioned it was their first vacation in 2 years. My favorite line? “We are so happy to be in Iceland. You couldn’t pay me to go to Florida right now.” Everyone was happy to test periodically, even at their own cost. And when we went on a free walking tour, everyone put their mask on as soon as we walked in a building.  It’s refreshing and it feels safer and kinder than being in the United States.
3. People are happy and thankful. Like I said before, people are just relieved to be OUT. Away from their homes. Spending time in a new place. Everyone is up for adventure and in good spirits because they waited so long to travel. For example, we had a crazy experience in Iceland where we booked an excursion to go snowmobiling on a glacier. Not only was it pouring rain all day, but our van broke down on the side of the road. In the middle of nowhere. We pooled our bottled water to pour it on the engine because we ran out of coolant (not really sure if that’s what they did, I donated water but I have 0 mechanical expertise). We pulled up to a glacier river where two men on our tour refilled our water bottles and carried them back to the van for a few trips. No one yelled. No one cried. We never made it to the glacier or the snowmobile. Under ordinary circumstances, I think people would have been PISSED but post/during Covid? We were like *shrug* “sh*t happens, at least we’re still in Iceland.”
4. Uncertainty abounds. You need to be comfortable with being uncertain if you want to travel now. Booking a nonrefundable ticket? You’re rolling the dice. Booking an Airbnb with a 50% refund policy? Godspeed. Traveling without your laptop and hoping you don’t test positive and get stuck there? You’re a more confident person than I am. I’ve traveled every trip with my laptop, because you really never know if you’ll get stuck. Until that return Covid test comes back negative, you’re in limbo. You just need to get used to it.
5. Booking refundable is safest and easier than before. The best part about travel now is that most non-budget airlines have more flexibility. Both Delta and United are allowing cancellations for their most basic fares. You can’t get a refund, but you CAN get flight credit. Always check the small print about this, but in general, tickets are more flexible than they would be during other times. Hotels are always the safest bets if you are worried you will have to cancel, but even some Airbnbs have good cancellation policies, you can even filter by that.
6. Best yet? IT’S CHEAP. That’s right, I’m pretty sure you can fly to Europe for cheaper than an Uber to the airport. I’m barely exaggerating. I got roundtrip nonstop tickets on Delta to Iceland for $350. I booked my Portugal trip 7 days in advance for $482 RT. It’s crazy!

If you don’t follow me yet on Instagram (but actually… why don’t you?) then I know you came here solely for the photos. Here’s a dump of some of my favorites. Have any of you done some Covid traveling? Let me know where you’ve been in the comments below!