Tackling travel restrictions

On my last "Uneven Aging" post,  I noted that the pandemic had aged me. Reader Beth said that she, too felt older, and added "... as we "mark time", unable to do many of the things that we may have planned, or to see the people who most matter to us, we may resent the robbing of time, and wonder how many years are left no matter how careful we are."

Particularly bittersweet was my friend Marilyn's 60th birthday gift from her sister and family in early February, a chic suitcase and matching tote. The idea was to replace her worn luggage for a Rhone river cruise in May; now the bag holds books. She is hoping—but not expecting—to go in spring 2021.

We are not the only ones feeling the restrictions. For every twenty-something who jumped on a dirt-cheap ticket to Bali, others postponed their hikes in Ecuador or a year working abroad. The difference is the sense of urgency: our itchy feet stand in the sand of an ever-running hourglass.

 I see three strategies rolling out among those in the Passage:

1. Embrace your Inner Homebody

Beth said: "I find that I've thought much harder about my priorities, and this has been valuable and, frankly, not unwelcome. Living more simply, making my own bread and yogurt again, eating better, choosing greener options, taking care of exercise and health as much as possible, and helping others have all been choices that value the moment we're actually in."

John ordered a bargain-priced mint-condition CD player on eBay to finally enjoy his old jazz collection again; another friend takes Spanish lessons with an online tutor to prepare for an eventual trip but also, she says, "to keep the brain synapses working". 

Many have commented about the balm of helping others. But, for the first time in my life, persons are offering to help me. A gourmet-cook friend asked if we'd like a full-Monty Thanksgiving dinner delivered to our door; a young man in the building offers to give me a lift whenever he sees me striding out for my walk. 

I've homebodied up: my recipe repertoire has expanded, I've reconnected with cherished friends. Like Beth, I'm fitter, and—unless I over-consume Covid news—sleeping better.

2. Reapportion the budget

Those who had a travel kitty have used some to make the present more engaging. Deborah bought a new kiln; Susan L. sold her rambling money-pit house and is shopping for much smaller one, with a budget for a bit of renovation so she can age in place. Ellen invested in her sister's business, in which she has begun to work part-time.

Lise, who lives in Paris, has long taken an annual year-end jaunt of three or four days with another single woman; their goal has been to spend New Year's Eve in a fascinating, beautiful place: the opera in Vienna, a castle in Ireland, a tango club in Madrid. This year she will not travel. She said, "That always ended up costing a great deal, in fact too much. I'm finally framing drawings my mother gave me years ago."

And me? I'm staring at a new-condition sewing machine, a gift from a friend who was a seasonal resident and can't cross the border. Will I revive my rusty skills? Beth reminds me there are tutorials for this model on YouTube, and if I get into good fabrics, I can easily divert a chunk of travel savings.

3. Work around restrictions

Notice I said "work around", not "cheat", unnamed American expat who asked me how to slip into the US from Quebec... to shop at Trader Joe's. "Work around" means that you get away and comply with all public health requirements. Going anywhere now entails a level-headed risk assessment. The situation can fluctuate so risk should also consider cancellation or trip-disruption costs.

Last summer, Canadians were allowed to travel domestically. Neighbour Gigi flew across Canada to visit family on a tiny coastal island with an even tinier infection rate. She got a test immediately before travel, booked a comfortable Air BnB house, and stayed for several weeks. 

This winter, she will spend three months in Mexico in the laid-back village she's come to love. Worse comes to worst, she is prepared to pay for the medical care not covered by travel insurance. 

No snowbird is as fiercely devoted as the Quebec species, and if their wings are clipped, you don't want to stand too close. Barred from Florida, several other neighbours are bound for the open-border Caribbean and Mexico. Bonne chance!

4. Live with ambiguity... and hope

Grousing about how "unfair" all this is only heightens discontent. When an acquaintance, V., said, "The government better keep its promise to us!" regarding a possible date for easing restrictions, I sympathized with her exasperation and frustration, but noted that nothing has been promised.  

Gigi keeps her eye on the future, when the world unfurls again: she's planning a trip to Australia for  the January 2022 celebration of friends' 50th wedding anniversary and researching a food tour through Asia (by bus) with a son, date tbd. She does not think "if", but "when".

I'm between these two; I keep a file of interesting destinations both nearby and distant, but no bookmarked flights. Those alluring book now and get one free night deals? I'm not in.

You have to laugh, even if it's dark humour. As I said to Le Duc the other evening, "Well, another day down of hiding from a microbe."  When the going gets tough, the tough stay home (and make the best of it.)