Story Description
A brief summary of my experience with the pandemic and eventually traveling internationally again in 2023.
Destination: Rome
I missed travel so much during the pandemic and I know I share this feeling with so many. For me, travel shaped my identity and was a core piece of my relationship with my partner. Travel fed our souls. I feel selfish admitting this when so many people are experiencing such tremendous loss.
Day in and day out, I witnessed the huge sacrifices my public health colleagues made navigating this pandemic and working so hard – the long hours, missing time with their families, deflecting the abuse of a sometimes nasty public, dispelling misinformation. When will it end? We are all human and doing our best. Can’t people be kind and show some empathy? I flash back to listening to the BBC Radio updates daily on the global state of the pandemic.
Fast forward to May 2023 when my husband and I made our first trip to Europe since the pandemic. Our destination was Rome – a city steeped in so much ancient history. Finally I am here and feel renewed! I remember vividly how Italy was one of the first countries impacted by COVID-19. Hearing our tour guide describe her experience it was hard to imagine.