I have only been posting when I travel and finally, post pandemic, I'm getting ready to travel again. I had tickets, an RV rented and many others things scheduled with my friend, Suzan, who lives in Australia for a month Down Under. Scheduled to leave March 15, 2020, Covid raised its ugly head. I chuckle now when I remember my conversations with Suzan about - "Oh, I'll just reschedule my flight after the end of March, we should be good to go. So now, here it is 2 years, 6 months and I'm finally getting ready to go.
What has changed? Airline costs for sure - $6,850 for my flight this year compared to $4800 in 2020. the reliability of airlines - so many cancellations due to staffing shortages. Hoping now that kids are back in school the chances of my flights be cancelled are reduced. Travel requirements. At first, borders were closed. Then open with testing requirements. Then vaccination and testing requirements. As of 9/22/22 Australia has lifted all its restriction and a person from the US can just fly there. Canada, which I am flying through to get to Australia, as of 10/1/22 has removed all its restrictions. So even though I have now had 4 covid vaccinations and a flu shot, I no longer need to show proof, no longer need a covid test and no longer need to wear a mask on the flight, although I am taking several with me - just in case. I don't think the landscape will change - but never say never.
