Difficult Times, Difficult Decisions

difficult - schwierig

For those who did not know - Klara and I had been hunkered down in our house in Carrboro, while Stephan and Miriam were in Zürich. It was a hard separation but one we needed to do. Klara was going to spend the final semester of high school with her class at her school. I was going to get the car ready to ship, finish all our tasks in the house and turn it over to the rental company. Stephan and Miriam were going to join us for two weeks during her spring break and then we would push through until graduation.

Of course that was the plan before the pandemic.

The pandemic changed everything for everyone in the world.

As the days wore on and more international borders were closing - we started to get very concerned. Initially, we we were going to ride out the storm apart.  After talking with someone at the embassy and monitoring the return flights and additional restrictions, we decided the best decision was for Klara and I to return as soon as possible to Stephan and Miriam. This was not a decision we took lightly and one that really caused great concern.

The borders between Austria (and Germany) and Switzerland are closed which means that if Stephan had gotten sick, Miriam would be all alone and unable to have family help her. We are fortunate to have made a solid group of friends that would step in until Stephan got better, but the anxiety level was beyond one we could live with at the moment.

Reality was the window to get to Zürich was shrinking. With less than 30 hours to prepare, Klara and I did 12 weeks worth of prep in the house and left in the middle of the night. And only by chance, a friend I had sent my flight information called me late at night to tell me my flight had been cancelled. Had she not called  - we would not have gotten the last flight out of RDU to connect to the only flight to Zürich. SWISS is the only flights into Zürich at this time and run three a week (with rumors of fewer to none soon) While waiting in RDU, I heard flight crew members mentioning this was the last flight for the foreseeable future. Aside from us and five other passengers - it was just flight crews trying to make connections home.

Our connecting flight arrived with 12 hours to wait. We found a corner in the airport where no one else was sitting. We clorox-wiped the entire area, kept our face masks, glasses/sunglasses and gloves on and sat in our one corner hidden from the world. It felt like the apocalypse. Maybe three people passed us the entire day. Even going from the domestic to international gate - we were the only people on the entire tram. We took turns napping since I think we had about three hours in total sleep since this decision. As for food and drink - normally, I am the person running around saying, "hydrate." This time around  - I did the opposite.

Every process that we normally take for granted was either changed by restrictions or scrutinized by us.  Usually, when we travel we each have our own backpack and responsible for our own devices. Not this time. One backpack kept all the things that needed to be taken out for security and to get home. This included all technology, cleaning materials, IDs, keys and medicines. Everything was kept in separate clear plastic bags- that way we did not have to remove them from the bags for security to review. If you think about the security line  - I find that one of the major germ transmission. Even our phones stayed in plastic bags.

The other bag remained closed (important papers, items we brought back with us). This was all done so when we did get back to the apartment only one of the bags contents had to be sanitized and by keeping it in separate bags - it was so much easier.

In the entire airport there was one flight out that night - ours. It was a late night flight. Passengers had an entire section of the airport to spread out at the gate. As it stands - it is very restrictive to get into and out of different countries. We were told to not transfer in another country as we might not get home. Fortunately, there was only one option and that was direct. Our passports and VISAs were checked extra carefully three times by representatives to ensure we were allowed on the flight.

As the crew for our final flight arrived  - it was in dramatic fashion. The captain led the crew in single file - 6 feet apart with masks on.

Once on board Klara and I passed out and slept the entire flight out of emotional and physical exhaustion. (I lied, I watched 3 episodes of Fleabag before passing out). Once on the ground, they had us sit in our seats until all luggage was removed from the plane. Then they went row by row, we all had to sit until our row was called. Crew and police were stationed throughout the plane and airport making sure we did not get too close and remained calm. Once through customs we headed to baggage claim where our luggage was spread out through four belts to ensure distance.  

From there we headed to the apartment - decontaminated, hopped into pajamas, ate something and fell asleep. Klara and I are on day 6 of quarantine in her room. So far we are feeling good, just following the rules and protecting others. We are counting the days we can wrap our arms around Miriam and Stephan.

Some tips:

Wear your mask all the time

Bring hand sanitizer and wipes with you.

Before sitting on the plane - or even at the airport - sanitize the area around - the entire area... including the seat belt and the airplane window.

Carry ons - pick one that will be opened and closed - keep the others with nothing that might be examined at security. (We split the carry ons - I carried technology, medicines, and such for both of us).

Put everything in it's own plastic bag. Each phone and cord were in their own bag - that way the security if needing to take it out - could see everything. We did that with medicine and even the laptops had their own see-through plastic bag.

Wallet was also in a plastic bag - but I took out my credit card and ID needed and kept that in a passport carrier - since I would need to open that.

When we got back to the apartment - we emptied the ziplocs bags onto a towel - that way we could use the items without needing to sanitize. (I kept all the bags for the next trip - whenever that might be).

Bathroom - TRY not to use the bathroom on the plane. We did use the bathroom at the airport - but we did not do our usual drink...drink..drink...  

Keep your distance - even if others do not.

And finally - wear the damn mask.