STOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF!

 Stop the World - I want to get off!  That was a show on Broadway in 1961 which was later turned into a movie and a book.  I never saw or read any of them as I was a teenager then and I could have cared less about what was going on in the world.

I care now!  Especially today as it is Veterans Day.  We have so much to thank our Veterans for as they have done so much to bring peace to our world…even though their history is sometimes very grim.

Has  the world has gone crazy?.  We have wars in the Ukraine and the horrible war between Israel and Hamas, and we also have politicians warning us that China is soon going to try to take over Taiwan which, of course, would start another war.  And people marching for killers here in the US and elsewhere!!!  In early world history….the ancient tribes fought against one another for power and viable lands to produce food and in particular wealth for themselves.  It seems as if this is a never-ending cycle and continues today.

 

When I was that teen many years ago, all I wanted to do was see the world.  After spending time with friends in Argentina and in Peru, all I wanted to do was to help people to be as lucky as I was by traveling and getting to know our planet without hate or prejudice.  The world is a big beautiful place.  Travel to Africa to see the amazing animals that once roamed our planet.  There are many wonderful people there as well with different customs. The history of Western Europe is fabulous with beautiful cathedrals and scenery and speaking different languages. South America has a wonderful history from the ancient Incas to the amazing people still living in the Amazon Basin much like they did eons ago.  Asia too has many beautiful customs and people.  The World is a beautiful and colorful place to be respected and loved..  So what better way to educate all of us by traveling and learning from each other?

The Holidays are coming.  Each country in the world has different traditions. What a wonderful time to visit and learn of each others special occasions.

Maybe I have never grown up enough to understand why there are so many conflicts in the world.

My motto is Travel and Make Peace the World Over.   I hope you share in my sentiments.  Let us all do our part to stop the craziness and make peace in our world.

Until next week, Be Safe and Be Well!  I’ll get off my “Soap Box” now!

 

TIME TO GET BUSY

 

In any case, seeing as this is the start starts of the holiday season….I just wanted you all to be aware of some facts about passports and keeping up with its expiration!

As I travel a lot, I am always on top of my dates….but have to tell you that I applied for a renewal of my Global Entry ( my 5^th one) in early August and there is no movement on it to date.  It still says processing.  For some, it takes two weeks and others, like me…much longer. There is no “rhyme or reason”!  I called and was told that it can take up to 12 months to process and to use my expiring card until the new one is approved.

 

This just brings up a point. As we head into the busiest travel days of the year, you’ve likely got a checklist of to-do items. 
If traveling abroad is on your holiday to-do list this year, I hope you’ve verified that your passport has not expired.

Most countries require visitors’ passports to be valid six months at the time of travel.  Some even consider the six-month period to begin on the date of your intended departure from the country. If your passport is about to expire or will be expiring within 6 months, now is the time to try and renew. Your State Representative the U.S. Department of State will not be able to help except in very limited emergency travel circumstances. The current wait times are horrendous!

 

There are visa and Passport Services out there that will walk your paperwork through the process, but I have to tell you it is very very expensive to do so. 

So please, if you are planning to travel in the next six months…please check the expiration dates on your passports and if you need my help with one of those companies mentioned above, do let me know.

So until next week….enjoy your holiday coming up and Be Safe and Be Well.. 

MY FAVORITE SAFARI

 I just received this video from one of my favorite African safari companies. If you have been on safari, you know how special it is!  I went on my first safari for my honeymoon many years ago.  Since then, I have been on many more.

This video from Micato Safari’s is so special…I wanted to share it with you.

If you too, would like to go on safari, just ask me.  I can arrange it for 

Travel Bomb

…you might think we have been released from a pandemic! Ha!   People a screaming to get away and get out of the USA to Europe, South America, Africa and elsewhere.  They also want to leave NOW! (well sort of!).  There is a renewed sense of freedom everywhere….and everywhere is still afraid of us…the US Citizen.

The CDC still refuses to lift mask mandates although many states have already done so.  We are still on the RED list for many countries abroad which means tedious Covid Testing before arrival in a country and some even when you arrive.  Chile, for example, has a testing station in the airport before you go through customs.  If you test positive…you are transported to a “medical facility of the Chilean government”!  Hmmm…what a way to spend your vacation! 

Most countries now have forms you have to fill out within 48 hours of arrival in their country….attesting to the fact that you don’t have Covid!  Some are very difficult to understand as they are written in the principle language of the country then google translated (which is not always the best source)!  In Europe…they have the Green Passport which is a QR code on your Mobil phone.  For US citizens…they accept our piece of paper from the CDC. These you have to show to go into Museums, restaurants, and other attractions where there are a lot of people.

That said….even with the amount of people visiting…it is nothing like the normal crowds you see.  It is really nice to see ancient ruins without thousands of people crawling all over them like ants.

Maybe that is why so many people have elected to travel now.  I think it a great idea!  So busy or not….I am here for you.  Time to “get out of Dodge” and enjoy yourselves!

Call me any time…!

 

GOING HOME AGAIN!

Last month I wrote about my recent trip to Spain and the patience needed to travel by air. Now, one of the biggest worries is getting home.

According to the US State Department “ Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel.”

Within  three days of your arrival time in USA,, you must have a PCR test or an Antigen Test. The results must be negative and you must  carry a printout with you.  All air carriers ask for this at check in.

 If you are connecting through another country, you need to check their entry information and make sure that you comply to their rules.

For example, if you are flying to JFK and have to connect in the UK, you have to have a PCR test with 48 hours of your arrival in the UK.  Antigen tests will not be permitted.  You can use your PCR test also for arrival in the USA.  Each country is different in their requirements, so make sure you check all transit countries regulations as well.

In the event you test positive, you must quarantine in your hotel room for 10 days. The hotel management is alerted and no services will be done inside that room for the duration.  If you need anything,…food…or clean towels… the hotel will bring them to your door and leave them outside. 

If you cannot afford to stay for 10 days in an expensive hotel, the hotel will provide a list of hotels that permit Covid positive guests.  There you will be sequestered for 10 days as well.

It is still an amazing experience to travel during these times of low tourism.  So don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the world with a new light.  Again…just pack your patience and your wonder and get out there….and get home with your negative PCR tests in hand!

 

 

 

 

ARE YOU READY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL?  (Advice for those who are!)

 It was the first time on an overseas flight since the pandemic began.  After 19 months of only traveling in the USA… I was ready.  Yes me and everyone else!   It wasn’t surprising that along with a huge desire to “Get out there’ again, everyone wants to go somewhere.

So my first suggestion is to plan ahead!  Flights are full and you can’t always get what you want.  

Secondly – have patience!  I have heard that to reach an airline reservation agent can take up to 9 hours on hold.

Third – Make sure you know the rules and regulations into the country you want to travel to.  Rules change daily so make sure that you have everything in order or the airlines won’t let you get on your first flight.

 Flying to one country is easy…but if you want to go to more than one…you will have to have all requirements for each country you will visit. This may even mean multiple PCR or Antigen tests going from one to another. Again, each country has its own rules.     Some countries have forms to fill out, others not.  Plus you have to do the math because it is not 48 hours in your time zone, but theirs.  So if you are arriving in Madrid at 9am on Monday, you need to have your test done no earlier than 3am on Sat AM in EST in Atlanta. 

Forth suggestion…make one or two printouts of everything, plus an electronic record on the cellphone you travel with

Fifth – Be prepared.  It can be a real snag if you get delayed or miss a connecting flight too.  The flights are so full, the next flight could be at least a day later meaning  another PCR test so that you are within your window of  72 or 48 hrs.

And be prepared….airports are jammed.   Everyone wants to go. When you do get aboard…flights are also jammed!!  Not an empty seat anywhere!  Be prepared. Many airport outlets for food are closed still (staffing problems) so make sure you bring a  protein bar just in case.

 There is so much more to be prepared for both here at home and also when you get to your favorite destination.   Prepared and Patience gain the biggest rewards.   Next month, read about examples of what happens when you test positive before returning home.

Until then, Be Safe and Be Well and Let’s go!!  The world is waiting!