TRAVEL DURING THE PANDEMIC

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Alexis

Photo by Joel de Vriend via Unsplash.

When the COVID 19 Pandemic first hit the United States, I knew that my ability to travel might be limited.  I had no idea just how limited it would be.  One by one, long-planned trips we were to enjoy in the foreseeable future became impossible:  Belize, New Zealand, Alaska, New Mexico.  I try to adapt; it does no good to lament all the places I wish I were and wonder when it will be possible to travel near and far safely again.

This morning, I started thinking about what besides feeding the cat and cleaning the kitchen I should try to accomplish today and where to do that.  There are always things to do:  write a draft of next week’s blog, listen to Babbel Spanish on my phone while I putter around, or finish the terrific mystery I am reading (The Searcher by Tana French).  All of a sudden it occurred to me:  I DO have a choice of travel destinations right here at home:

The “Local Library”—our living room/TV room/kitchen-at-one-end combination where a low table has a selection of books and magazines with excellent long analytical pieces I will get to one of these days.

The “Quiet Room”—a converted bedroom used for writing, photo sorting, sewing and enjoying silence;

The “Spa”—the master bathroom with its overhead shower, moisture-loving plants and giant bathtub;

The “Exclusive Resort”—the master bedroom, where I can close the door, stretch out on the bed and read until I feel guilty about “not doing anything.”

And finally, “The Great Outdoors,” the deck with its hummingbird aerial battles, thriving and languishing plants, and birdsong. 

Who needs to travel?  In just a few steps and a little imagination, I can be anywhere…until it’s time to feed the cat.

 

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About Alexis

Alexis Rankin Popik, author of Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate, is an award-winning short story writer whose work has appeared in The Berkshire Review and Potpourri Magazine. She has penned numerous articles about local history that have been published in Connecticut Explored and the University of Connecticut School of Law and The Hartford Seminary publications. A former union organizer, Popik traveled the country educating shipyard workers about health and safety and founded a labor-management health plan before turning to writing fiction full-time. She lives with her husband in New England.
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One Response to TRAVEL DURING THE PANDEMIC

  1. Joan Rossberg says:
    October 26, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    Once again you’ve nailed it! I figure we have 24 weeks until we can
    Travel again ( sounds better than 6 months)
    With all the cases spiking and the non mask wearing morons about, it’s not worth the chance of , not so much infection, but potential after effects! I too am reading The Searcher…. it’s so great to have a really good book in progress…
    Gonna take up ping pong as it’s too cold to get out and walk -1 here
    In Denver. We’ve voted by mail and have fingers crossed
    Some sanity will return after nov 3.
    Love your blogs!
    Joan

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