THE NEED TO TRAVEL
2020 was a year of great expectations, world economy was on the rise, cars had started driving themselves and those who couldn’t make it to the Olympics were still spoilt for choice where to spend their holidays. What could possibly go wrong ?
As it turns out, something as small as a virus can turn the entire world upside down. A year has gone past and the first realistic signs of optimisms are beginning to appear as vaccinations are picking up pace around the world. Make no mistake, it will be a couple of years before this pandemic will stop making headlines and perhaps longer before we can forget about it.
If we are to maintain our health and sanity, isolation is no longer not an option, escape from daily routine we must, albeit in different ways, to different destinations, at different opportunities.
The prospect of jumping on a plane and spending a week in a five star beach hotel at rock bottom prices, is unquestionably tempting, but maybe not the smartest move just yet. The young at mind and body may very well not care much, but for millions of others who are not invincible, applying some sense and sensibility could mean the difference between a holiday and a hospital bed.
Even when travel will be allowed, being packed in crowded areas with thousands of strangers, fun as it may be, is not going to be the smartest of choices. Perhaps its time to rethink how we should travel.
THE QUESTION IS HOW ?
So the million dollar question becomes how and where, a question which stands true even for people with millions of dollars at their disposal. Needles to say there is no foolproof strategy, no perfect plan, or indeed a perfect destination, but applying a generous amount of common sense and avoiding stereotypes can go a long way in reducing the risk of infection.
The greatest weapon against this pandemic, was and continues to be, common sense.
It does not take a PHD to appreciate the need to avoid crowds and close contact with people, especially in confined spaces. After all, we are the main carriers and spreaders of this virus, so avoiding people in general, depressing as it may sound, is part of the solution.
Meeting people, creating new friendships, starting relationships, have always been some of the greatest attractions of travel, but pleasures such as sharing a dining room with a hundred people, exchanging stories over the bar and getting to know each other on a dance floor, are best postponed for a later date.
Avoiding crowds also means staying away from popular destinations, fun parks, cruises, group travel, in short, what millions have been doing on their holidays for decades now. There is no denying that booking a holiday you know is to your liking has its benefits, on the other hand putting in the effort and it does take considerable effort, to discover an alternative escape, one that you can enjoy and maintain your well being, comes with the promise of new discoveries and thrill of the unexpected.
In all this uncertainty, one thing has become abundantly clear. If there ever was a time to stop “following” and start “leading”, it is now.
