By Sofia Silva de Almeida e Souza Netto || Contributing Writer
Most people around the world love to travel. The excitement to pack and prepare for yet another adventure is one of the best feelings you can ever have. To be at a certain place – alone or with friends and family – and take pictures to remember that moment forever is even better. However, after the outbreak of COVID-19, traveling is not only full of joy anymore. Instead, it is a mix of feelings: joy to be going away and fear of the crowded airports and planes. That was exactly how I felt when I went away during the fall of 2020. During both international trips I had during the pandemic, I was scared. The flight back to Brazil was packed and, at the airport of Guarulhos (in São Paulo), gigantic lines with no social distancing were a big problem. There wasn’t social distancing on the plane as well, and many were not wearing masks correctly. With all that, how can we feel safe? One solution might be to opt for alternative modes of transportation, such as Rent a car Albania, which allows for more control over your environment and reduces exposure to crowded spaces like airports and public transportation.
Renting a car offers more control, but it’s not the only option. For shorter distances or beautiful coastal areas, consider renting a scooter. Scooters allow for a fun, open-air experience and provide a great way to soak up the scenery. Imagine cruising down the scenic highways of Santorini, with the wind in your hair and the crystal-clear Aegean Sea sparkling beside you. Scooters are also perfect for navigating the vibrant streets of a city. For example, in Waikiki, a scooter allows you to bypass traffic jams and explore the hidden gems tucked away from the main tourist areas. This flexibility and control over your environment can significantly reduce your exposure to crowds and help you feel safer while traveling during these times.
For many of us, international and domestic students, traveling is an integral part of our college experience. We find ourselves packing our lives into suitcases and embarking on journeys to destinations that often feel like unfamiliar territories, especially for first-year students! In the current landscape shadowed by COVID, this trip has taken on a heightened sense of apprehension. Despite the commencement of vaccination drives in many countries, the specter of uncertainty looms large, likely to persist for months to come. Adhering to strict safety protocols such as wearing two masks and ensuring a constant supply of hand sanitizer has become second nature in our daily routines. And when it comes to air travel, these precautions are non-negotiable. We fulfill our responsibilities and expect the same level of commitment from airline companies. However, this expectation is not always met. Amidst these challenges, the allure of destinations like these resorts in phu quoc vietnam, renowned for its stunning resorts, offers a glimmer of hope and possibility for future travel endeavors.
A few days before going back home, my flight got canceled. Not the international one, but the domestic one. I was reallocated to a packed flight, with every seat taken. While I was glad to (finally!) come back home, I could not avoid feeling anxious and worried all of the time. It was a strange mix of feelings, I confess. The worst part was seeing how airline companies did not do anything to enforce social distancing inside of the plane. And while I do know that the air is constantly being refreshed, those small changes can make a big difference. Also, airports were not as strict as they could be about lines and distancing. The seats in waiting rooms were all separated, but you often would find yourself with someone standing a little too close to you.
Can we expect anything to change for the next year? My answer is: not really. Some might feel more comfortable with traveling after being vaccinated, but we will still face restrictions and unexpected problems like flights getting canceled out of nowhere. And of course, there is the risk of being infected. We will still need to be as careful as possible and the most important thing will be to not let our guards down even if many airports and airlines do. After all, it was through international travels that COVID spread to the whole world.
First-year Sofia Silva de Almeida e Souza Netto is a Contributing Writer. Her email is ssilvade@fandm.edu.