It’s been awhile since my last post, and I have don’t have a good reason for the delay. Well, maybe I do. The coronavirus pandemic is about to seriously erupt in the United States. Countries worldwide are feverishly preparing for the worst case scenario. Italy is living a nightmare right now and the outbreak hasn’t even peaked there yet. There is so much uncertainty of what life will be like for many of us in the weeks ahead, and conditions are changing so quickly.
Do you really want to read about my recent trip to Venice? My awesome business class flight and fact that they ran out of my favorite port wine? People are suffering. People are scared. Travel is virtually non-existent worldwide. This is an unprecedented time in our lives. Yes–travel blogs offer a sense of distraction during this horrible event. I get it. But, it just doesn’t seem right.
The global economy is absolutely tanking. The American dream, for many of us, is to spend our retirement on a beach sipping piña coladas with our toes in the sand. It takes hard work–waking up to your alarm every morning, commuting to the office, sucking up to your boss. It takes decades of planning and discipline to amass enough money to retire comfortably. Don’t look at your 401K. It’s not good.
What’s truly sad during this crisis–besides the loss of life–are the job losses. Forget your 401K…that’s for your future. Millions of people are losing their jobs and can’t pay their bills right now. Sadly, this is just the beginning of the economic effects of the pandemic. When the world recovers from this virus, much of our landscape will be forever changed. Your favorite restaurant may no longer be in business, the smaller hotel chains and airlines will be a memory, and your old job may not be there to rehire you.
So what is it like to write a travel blog during a pandemic? It sucks…it absolutely sucks. I’m in an incredibly fortunate position compared to most people. I am financially independent and healthy. This crisis is likely to affect me far less than the average person. For the past two weeks I’ve been at home most of the time ‘social distancing’ like most of you. Boredom and curiosity has lead me to tune into local and world news often. I want to stay informed and current, but it’s just depressing.
I make a point to spend time outside everyday and get some fresh air to break up the monotony…while keeping my distance. Long walks with my wife in our neighborhood and the occasional food/supply run. Hunting for toilet paper and paper towels has become a bit of a game.
I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I was in lower Manhattan during the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. I saw the first tower billowing smoke after it was hit by the first plane. That day and the years to follow were absolutely awful. The world changed forever in so many ways–like it will again after this virus is defeated.
However, there is a huge difference between what took place now and took place then. During 9/11, along with the remorse, fear, and immediate uncertainty–Americans were filled with anger, purpose and a defined plan of action that lent some sense comfort and faith that things would eventually be okay. I just don’t feel the same here. I’m left with an overwhelming sense of melancholy most days. I don’t have faith in my federal government to handle this crisis without unnecessarily causing the loss of lives, and many citizens are being selfish by not adhering to the social distancing directive.
Why I Started This Blog?
I love travel. I love the journey as much as the location itself. I enjoy flying in premium airline cabins, staying in great hotels, and doing so on a middle class income. I love learning how to use credit card points and research techniques to provide opportunities that would not otherwise be available. Don’t get me wrong–travel is never free. Traveling–and doing it well–costs money. However, it doesn’t need to cost the sticker price.
So..we can’t travel right now. But, this is a great time to prepare for your next vacation when this pandemic is over. It’s a great time to build up your credit card points and to learn some tips to make the most of your next trip. We are all spending money on food and supplies while stuck at home. Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub have all waived delivery fees during this crisis. Support your local restaurant. Be kind. Stay healthy.
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