Coping with Covid-19 and this abrupt pause on travel for someone who always had at least one trip booked every two to three months, has not been easy to deal with. After being in a state of denial for the first few weeks, fondly recalling travel memories and stories, to dusting off old pictures, all has been done!
Those that thrive on wanderlust, I am sure will empathize for the therapy that travel is, none other can match. Joys of discovering new places, and rediscovering old ones, the travel stories, the food, sights and culture, the souvenirs and (a memory card full) of memories…oh well, very few things in life can come close to this!
Tracking good news
The media loves statistics, and the infection numbers from all over the world, and India of course making headlines every single day. I must say, while coping up with Covid-19 amidst the gloom and doom, I looked for hope.
The recovery rate has been encouraging especially in India and thats truly a good news and a positive trend! Also with the hotels now slowly opening doors to their guests, taking utmost care about hygiene and comfort – some of them even setting you up with personal chef and housekeepers, there are green shoots indeed.
A few weeks back, we as a family also ventured out to a restaurant for a meal. It was a reassurance to see sanitised tableware in sealed covers, tables widely arranged and the staff behind face shields.
Rethinking travel
Yes agreed, things wont be the same again. Like how the unfortunate events of 9/11 changed air travel norms across the world forever. Now too we are looking at a new permanent reset. Masks, sanitisers, face shields are a travel must-have now, and I do feel these are enablers rather than a deterrent.
I am sure a lot of us are making mental notes on when we can travel again (whilst coping with covid-19). But with few Indian states and a few countries already opened for tourists, a leap of faith is what I will take!
Mountains are calling!
Here is hoping my first post Covid travel is to the mountains, to breathe the clean fresh air and to soak in those surreal views. Hoping that time comes soon, till then I continue to bask in the reflected glory of the trips made so far, and to hatch new plans.
About the author
Anshu Sharma | A travel enthusiast and a regular with Explore Routes. From having taken over a hundred flights in 2019, to less than ten in 2020 so far, she can not wait to hit the road again. Follow her travel tales on Instagram.
Team Explore Routes will be delighted to plan her next travel experience, and wishes Anshu’s wanderlust list can materialise soon. If you are looking for bespoke trips get in touch with us here