Okay, so I actually had to travel during that whole health mess a while back. Wasn’t exactly thrilled about it, but sometimes life doesn’t give you much choice, you know? Here’s kinda how I handled it to keep myself, well, less worried.
Figuring Things Out First
First off, I didn’t just book a ticket and hope for the best. No way. I spent a good chunk of time digging around online. What were the rules where I was going? Did I need tests? Did I need to fill out forms? Every place was different, changing rules all the time. It was a headache, honestly. I checked official government websites mostly, not just random news articles. Had to be sure.
Then I thought about getting sick there, or getting stuck. Looked into travel insurance options. Needed to make sure it actually covered pandemic-related stuff, not just a broken leg. Read the fine print, which is boring as heck, but necessary.
Booked flights and places to stay that had flexible cancellation. Didn’t want to lose all my money if things went south last minute, either because I got sick or rules changed again.
Packing the Essentials – My ‘Safety Kit’
My packing list looked a bit different than usual. Forget fancy clothes, I focused on practical stuff:
- Masks: Loads of them. Good quality ones, not just flimsy cloth things. Enough for the whole trip, changing them out regularly.
- Hand sanitizer: Big bottles, small bottles. Put them everywhere – pocket, bag, suitcase.
- Disinfectant wipes: A couple of packs. For wiping down seats, tables, door handles, whatever felt dodgy.
- Basic meds: Painkillers, stomach stuff, just in case. Didn’t want to hunt for a pharmacy if I felt a bit off.
- My own snacks and water bottle: Tried to limit buying stuff in crowded airport shops.
Felt a bit like I was preparing for a minor expedition, not just a simple trip.
The Journey Itself – Staying Alert
Getting there was the tense part. At the airport, I kept my distance from people as much as possible. Mask on, always. Used hand sanitizer like it was going out of style, especially after touching anything – check-in counters, security trays, you name it.
On the plane, first thing I did was grab those wipes. Wiped down the tray table, the armrests, the seatbelt buckle, even the air vent thingy. People probably thought I was nuts, but hey, better safe than sorry.
Tried not to touch my face much, which is harder than you think. Drank water from my own bottle. Just tried to stay in my own little bubble.
Being Careful at the Destination
When I got there, I didn’t suddenly relax. Kept the mask on in public places, especially indoors or in crowded spots. Still washed hands constantly and used the sanitizer.
For food, I mostly got takeout or went to places with outdoor seating if the weather was okay. Avoided packed restaurants like crazy. Wiped down hotel room surfaces when I first arrived, just for peace of mind.
Basically, I just kept up the same habits I’d started at home. Consistency felt key. It wasn’t about being paranoid, just cautious. I wanted to do what I needed to do, but didn’t want to bring any nasty surprises back with me.
Heading Home
The return trip was pretty much the same drill. Mask, wipes, sanitizer, distance. Filled out any necessary arrival forms beforehand if needed.
Looking back, it wasn’t the most relaxing travel experience ever, obviously. There was this constant low-level awareness, you know? But I managed it without getting sick and without major hiccups. It just took a lot more planning and being mindful the whole time. It’s doable, just gotta be prepared and not let your guard down.
