My Take on Traveling During the Pandemic Mess
Alright, let’s talk about traveling when all that pandemic stuff was going full swing. It felt weird, right? But sometimes, you just gotta go, or maybe you just really needed a change of scenery, carefully, of course. I had to take a couple of trips during that time, and here’s basically what I did to try and keep myself, and others, reasonably safe. It wasn’t rocket science, just common sense mostly.
Figuring Things Out Before Going Anywhere
First thing, before even thinking about packing, I spent a good chunk of time online. Not looking at fun stuff, but at the rules. Seriously, the rules were changing like every five minutes. I checked the rules for where I was going – did I need a test? Did I need to quarantine? What was open? Then I checked the airline or train company rules. Different companies had different ideas about masks and stuff.
I also looked at how bad the virus situation was at my destination. If it looked really rough, I honestly would have thought twice, maybe even cancelled. It just wasn’t worth jumping into a big hotspot.
Packing Wasn’t Just Clothes Anymore
Packing got a bit more complicated. On top of my usual junk, I made sure I had a stash of supplies:
- Masks: Lots of them. More than I thought I’d need. I preferred the simple surgical ones or KN95s. Comfort was key if I had to wear them for hours.
- Hand Sanitizer: Big bottle, small bottles for pockets. Everywhere.
- Disinfectant Wipes: Super useful for wiping down surfaces on the go. Think airplane tray tables, armrests, hotel remote controls. You get the idea.
I also tried to pack snacks and drinks, especially for the journey. Fewer reasons to touch communal coffee pots or grab snacks in crowded airport shops felt like a good plan.
The Journey Itself – Airports and Planes, Oh My
Okay, getting there. Airports were… interesting. Sometimes empty like a ghost town, other times busier than I expected. Didn’t matter, the plan was the same. Mask on, from the moment I left my house basically until I got to my final private space. Yeah, it sucked, especially on long flights, but it felt necessary.
I tried to keep my distance from people in lines. Easier said than done sometimes, but I did my best. At security, yeah, you gotta touch the bins, so sanitizer came out right after. On the plane, first thing I did was grab those wipes and clean my seat area – the tray table, the belt buckle, the armrests, the screen if there was one. Overkill? Maybe, but it made me feel better.
I mostly kept to myself, earbuds in, avoiding too much chatter. Used sanitizer after touching anything that wasn’t mine. Washed my hands properly with soap and water whenever I got the chance, like after using the restroom.
Being Careful Where I Stayed and What I Did
At the destination, the caution continued. If I was staying in a hotel, I’d give high-touch surfaces like light switches, door handles, and the remote another wipe-down myself. I tried to opt for places with less shared space, maybe avoiding huge resorts with crowded lobbies or breakfast buffets.
Eating out was tricky. I leaned heavily towards takeout or places with outdoor seating, especially early on. Crowded indoor restaurants just felt like asking for trouble. If I did eat indoors, I tried to pick less busy times.
Activities? I aimed for outdoor stuff mostly. Hiking, walking around parks, beaches. Less chance of being crammed in with loads of people. If I visited an indoor attraction, I’d try to go early or late to avoid the peak crowds and, again, mask always on.
Basically, the whole game was minimizing contact and shared air where possible. It meant being more mindful, constantly assessing situations. Is this place too crowded? Can I wait until later? Can I do this outside instead?
Traveling back was just rinse and repeat of the journey procedures. Stay masked, keep distance, sanitize, wipe down.
It definitely wasn’t the most carefree way to travel, took extra effort and planning. But doing these simple things helped me feel like I was being responsible and reduced my own anxiety about getting sick or bringing anything back. It was just the reality of traveling during that time, you know?
