It’s pretty incredible looking back on yourself and thinking: “oh my god, I was so stupid.”
That pretty much sums up my reflections on my trip to France this past week. I’ve never felt as deeply afraid as I did when my sister shook me awake and told me to open Priceline. What do you mean we have to go home? How long do we have until we’re stuck here? When did this situation become this dire?
Unfortunately, Trump’s conference on the travel ban effectively answered none of these questions. After 30 minutes of pounding hearts, frantic ticket searching, and scared phone calls, Homeland Security calmly announced that Trump had messed up. U.S. citizens currently in Europe weren’t going to be stuck there after Friday. In fact, the ban didn’t even apply to every country.
After getting a refund on the thousands of dollars we had just spent on tickets, unpacking our suitcases once again, and trying to calm our racing hearts, my family and I went to bed. The next morning, every plan we had made for the rest of the trip was altered. Can we go on the train now? How many people are gonna be there? Should we give up hundreds to get a private driver?
My regrets started to stack up. I hadn’t worn gloves for most of our time in the airport. I certainly hadn’t worn a mask. I wasn’t very careful about not touching my face. I had touched countless statues, handrails, and door knobs without using hand sanitizer. I could already be infected and spreading it, especially to my family.
After taking a moment to breathe, I took a good look at the situation, and decided to change my outlook.
Maybe I don’t have to be so afraid. But I can still be cautious. Cautious of my actions, remembering to wash my hands and not touch my face, of course, but also to be kind to my family and friends, because every one of us needs encouragement right now. Cautious of who is making the calls for the nation, because the fear he creates will not last. Cautious of what I’m consuming through the media, and making sure that I am taking in as much positivity as I am fear.
I was pretty “stupid” before France, but if I could go back, I don’t think I would skip out on the trip. I would just remind myself to take in every moment. Breathe deeply in every place you visit, because when you get back you’ll be stuck. Take lots and lots of pictures, you’ll want to look back on the fun things that happened before you were quarantined. Eat anything you want- no one’s gonna see you in months, and you want to remember what a real croissant tastes like, trust me. Give your family every hug they need and remind them how grateful you are for them, because they are just as scared as you are right now.
As someone who travelled only 30 minutes away from the border of Italy, please take it from me that this virus is real, scary, and can have a big effect on your life. It’s important that you take into account who you see, what you touch, and what you say, because ultimately all of these could become actions you regret. Before you see someone, think “Who have I been exposed to? Who have they been exposed to? Who have the people they’ve been exposed to been exposed to?”, and remember that it only takes one person to infect nations.
But it also only takes one person to put a smile on someone’s face. During this difficult time, you could be the difference between a good and bad day. There’s not much we can control right now, but we CAN control ourselves, and while none of us are perfect, we can certainly remain conscious.
Love yourself and others fully, my friends, because we need you right now.
Photo provided by Conde Nast Traveler
