It is Sunday May 3rd, 2020. I should be packing for a transpacific cruise. Instead, I am monitoring the refund status of air and cruise fares paid months ago. I should be planning adventures on the high seas. Instead, adventure is walking around the streets of downtown Seattle, taking pictures of the deserted streets and businesses. I should be planning the next big international trip. Instead, I organize pictures, gear and lessons learned from prior travel. I am grateful for the health of my family and friends, keeping in contact with them and cherishing memories of the 96th birthday celebration for my mother in law in January. Instead of traveling, I contemplate what travel will look like and wonder will I feel comfortable venturing away from home again. Covid-19 has turned the world upside down and we all wait to see what the future holds.

In 2019, I traveled over a third of the year, cruising from Rio de Janiero to Buenos Aires around the Cape Horn to Lima, Peru, up the west coast of South America to Costa Rica and Nicaragua before ending in Los Angeles, encountering stunning views, amazing experiences and fantastic food. We cruised from Dubai to Mumbai and Singapore, seeing sights we never expected. Finally, exploring Krakow, Poland, we cruised from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania, seeing Serbia and Bulgaria along the way with unique history and sights. Closer to home, we went to Lake Tahoe for a wedding, Los Angeles for a Let’s Make a Deal taping and Las Vegas just for fun. What a magical year. Those memories sustain me. Right now the travel bug is not intense but just how long will that be true? Remains to be seen.