Is it safe to travel 2022?

 Fear can restrict and abort our plans to live life to the fullest. During the past two years even a trip to the grocery store, where "strangers" are filling their baskets, sparked dread. Using online shopping became the norm and masks, controversial as they were, became a political fashion statement. Just when Covid -19 was dissipating, Omicrom reared its ugly head! Now B-2 is traveling amongst all of us pandemic, weary souls having us wonder when will life ever return to normal. 

My last trip was January 2020. As my friend and I boarded our flight to Asia, there was news of a strange illness hitting China with 4 reported deaths. Fortunately, Annalisa and I kept ahead of the virus which arrived hours after our departure from each place. A month after our return, the welcome mat was pulled up in all but a few countries, the planet shut down, and we all went into hiding. 

I cherish that trip. It was unknown when we might travel again. Then Myanmar had a political revolution where a new regime took over that killed many.  Tourists may never get a chance to experience the wonderful people and culture, the way we did, for years to come. The world continues to have challenges both at home and abroad.  So you may ask, "Why travel now?"

I am an explorer. My mind craves the tastes, sounds and visual experiences of unique places. Travel is the adrenaline that keeps me alive and happy. So, today, my friend Linda and I are off once again to Europe. We are vaccinated,  masked, and have multiple travel locators placed on our phone so that should we be anywhere near a virus we will be alerted. 

We've planed this trip for over a year. It's been cancelled and rescheduled multiple times. We've fretted and questioned our motives to the point-of exhaustion. Sadly, the most desired portion of our trip was cancelled for us...Morocco.  Hopefully we can go there next year. Because we needed to plan too far in advance, and due to Omicron, Page, our retreat leader (and my daughter), felt it was too risky this year. 

So today we head for Paris for five nights. Then Italy and then a cruise (we couldn't cancel). We will sail the waters to Sicily, Greek Islands, Turkey, and Croatia. Many places I have yet to travel. Is it safe to take the European plunge with Covid still circulating the globe and an evil dictator invading an innocent country?? That question remains to be answered.  I am tired of hiding. I am aging and arthritis is challenging my movement. Time ticks on no matter where we are and takes its toll.  Come along with me this trip. Let's explore the world once again and pray for peace along the way.