Joys
of Travelling During Pandemics
Not to mention the 3-times PCR tests that cost a hell of a lot but that are your only pass to get you where you want to be - bien sur PCR negative or you are stuck.
Coming from Europe to Africa was a way more simple and pleasant without many unnecessary checks. Funny flying Lufthansa also last year was a déjà vu - as seems they have not changed the menu - macaroni in tomato sauce- inedible, not that I am spoiled but better be prepared to eat a good meal before your trip so you can pick at your food. However, the Airbus was quite comfortable and plenty of room for such long flight and no one sitting next to you.
Travelling during winter months from Europe from 0 temperatures gets you to unbelievable +37C, luckily dry climate - so dress in layers. Then comes the mandatory 7-days self-isolation and the 2nd PCR test on day 7. If you were smart enough to book a good hotel with spacious room, Wi-Fi and TV and have your laptop and books then you are fine. On day 7 the real life in hot Africa begins. That is something precious and personal. An unforgettable time and experience. Too soon comes the day for the 3rd PCR and awaiting the results with barcode. The one thing I have to highlight is that safety measures were at their highest wherever I went thus was much surprised how disciplined the people were - compared to many rebellious European countries.
The day of departure after 3 weeks of pure bliss was the worst when you
have to change from summer clothes into winter ones and wear them still at +35C
taking a long taxi ride to the airport. No one allowed to see you off in the
airport building – seems we are becoming the lonely travellers’ planet. And boy
oh boy how many check points you have to go through. But everyone so kind and smiling and helpful.
At least an hour spent at check points and finally you wait to board the night
flight back to Europe – guess with macaroni or other pasta in tomato sauce - to
be left untouched – at least they looked different.
And thus the long 6+ hrs night flight from Africa to Europe begun. All praises go to the German punctuality discipline, safety and service. Landing at dusk, almost dark rainy cold morning with sleepy faces staggering to even more somber and ghastly empty airport building – to wait for connecting flights. The lucky ones are gone immediately but a small group of us had a 16 hours long wait inside the airport Terminal 1 where everything was closed. Gone were my dreams of a great breakfast and coffee and dinner at some fancy restaurant, wandering the Duty free shops and just killing the time – alas no, as there was just basic take-away food, bottled water and coffee in paper cups. For hours we gathered in a Leisure zone sprawled wherever killing the time this or that way not even able to talk. There was no more the usual commotion, crowds, children running and screeching, hordes of tourists buying from Duty free shops. Only few brave or crazy tourists, business people or Chinese travellers dressed in white suits like Martians with visors and shoe protectors, everyone glued to their phones or laptops – 28 hours with a mask on your face - which almost blended with it.
But there is only one life and it is meant to live it fully with all precautions
and safety measures during these trying times. The only time you are happy to
be told you are negative is when you receive your PCR test results.
The moral of the story - La Vie est Belle! Live it to the fullest and
guard selfishly all those precious moments even with a mask on your face.
