Wanderlust: Going International in a Pandemic Pt. 1
DISCLAIMER: COVID TRAVEL TALES
I appreciate the concern and passion, but understand this post is not to push people to travel who are uncomfortable or to debate whether or not to go. I already researched, deliberated and battled within myself and I’ll continue to make that decision on trip by trip basis because I believe COVID concerns aren’t leaving us soon. I really believe this is our reality for the next two years even with a lockdown. And the reality I’ve seen is there are places STRUGGLING without tourism because their regions didn’t bother to diversify their economy long ago.
Ok, now on to the tea. I broke out y’all. I’ve realized that I do not live in a climate that’s congruent with my mental wellness. Most of the pandemic I was cool. I mean hallelujah the stay at home began during the Midwestern spring because y’all…I probably would have taken out a personal loan to be remote somewhere through the entire fall and winter season. Sis needs sunshine and water like a plant.
Now, we did do a road trip last summer which was really nice, but that sole purpose was to safely check on older loved ones while work schedules allowed. No hotels, no planes. In December, I tested out my normal travel MO, beaches by plane. First up was Cozumel with my best friend. Mexico has always treated me well, so why not start with what I know? One thing I did know, I wasn’t stepping out to Tulum and Cancun. Y’all were wildin’ over there.
I wanted the road less traveled. All I was looking for was sand, seafood and sun. (Plus, some authentic tacos.) We found an Airbnb so we didn’t have to deal with any crowded resorts. For flights we aimed for no more than one layover—airlines really did my city dirty by cutting the nonstops. We quarantined away from folks before we left and packed plenty of sanitizer and masks.
The Flight
Before take off, I was appalled at how people were carrying themselves in these airports. Social distancing, what is that? Not covering their nose. Just nonsense. I’m not loving the flying experience either, especially on certain airlines that have since abandoned precautions like seating people in the middle. I had my face shield on deck with the mask. I think I almost hyperventilated three times, but I kept making myself go to sleep to ease the panic. As of right now, my maximum flight time is two and a half hours. I already got stir crazy after three hours before COVID.
The Lodging
Our Airbnb was cute! Clean from what we could see and in the owner’s description, they also had laundry on site. Very spacious and we could see the water from our corner balcony. We were also walking distance from several restaurants, shops and markets.
The Location
Cozumel is not packed at all. The island is very dependent on cruise traffic, and with those on pause you can really see how deserted it was. Vendors were more forward than I’m used to in getting us to check out wares and come to restaurants, but I don’t blame them. It’s survival. Even with the ferry still in operation from Playa del Carmen, we still didn’t see a huge influx of visitors. Several locals we talked to who worked around the area explained how eager and hopeful they are for cruises to return to help bring business back to the area. Cozumel is pretty touristy, we recognized plenty of “American” chains. I had never seen a 7/11 in Mexico until this trip. We tried to stick with mainly beachfront restaurants and bars for food. We also bought groceries to cook at the apartment.
The beaches were also fairly light in visitors (looked nothing like other footage I had seen throughout Quintana Roo. Loungers were spaced out well for social distancing and it was easy to avoid getting close to folks while frolicking in the ocean as well. I can’t speak for the areas in the southern most part of Cozumel since we didn’t make it that far, but the western coast was quiet. Taxis also were plentiful, they often sanitized and had all the windows open, which made me feel more comfortable while getting around.
Safety
As I hinted at throughout, Cozumel is doing many of the normal precautions. Social distancing, sanitizing before entry, temperature checks. A lot of businesses also had the sani-mats to clean your shoes as well. And of course, masks everywhere. Which I will say masking looked like it was going way better here than in the city/state I currently reside with double the current temperatures. Should you still be extra careful? Yes. It’s a pandemic. Make sure you’re taking necessary supplements. Monitor how you’re feeling. Rotate hand washing in the midst of sanitizing. Rest. Don’t over indulge with alcohol while you’re out. Eat outside/open air (so easy to do here). Avoid any crowded bars or club situations. Lastly, make sure you use travel insurance. You never know what can go down and you should be covered.
The Return
I voluntarily quarantined once I returned to keep my folx safe. I also did test, which was thankfully negative which based on how short my trip length was it’s safe to assume I wasn’t positive while away either.
Again, I’m not going to tell you whether or not to travel abroad. Whatever you decide don’t blow off the easy things you can do to keep yourself and others safe when venturing out near or far. Also, if you’re not taking precautions at home, you for darn sure don’t need to be venturing out.
Stay tuned for part two!