It’s been almost two years since we last boarded a plane for a vacation to Rome. So much has happened in the world and our lives since then and while we’ve had some good local roads trips these last two years (this year’s being cut short due to devastating forest fires), it feels a bit surreal that we’re heading to Mexico for vacation. Covid-19 has really impacted the world, changed how we may view things, and changed how we operate. Will we remember the routine of packing and flying? I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being a bit apprehensive to the idea of flying and heading to a foreign country, but our travel date came closer I started getting really excited and realized how much I actually missed travelling abroad. I had not allowed myself to think about that much in the last two years.
We were originally booked to travel to Mexico 18 months ago but Covid-19 hit and plans got cancelled and for the longest time were uncertain when we’d be able to go. We decided earlier in the year that we’d re-book for November (a favourite time for us to go on a sun destination vacation) with all cancelable reservations and just see how things played out. As our travel date approached, with still a bit of worry in my mind, I felt my excitement build and started to realize this was actually going to happen. Shortly before our departure, the non-essential travel advisory was lifted, and that helped my mental state too. Time to dig out and dust off the old packing list, but wait it needs updating to include things masks, extra supplies of wipes…actually aside from adding wipes the packing list already included wipes and hand sanitizer.
So what changed on the travel front? A bit of extra pre-travel paperwork, understanding Mexico’s entry and exit requirements, and making sure we had proof of our vaccinations on hand. At the airports and on our flights masks were required to be worn, and while a bit of an inconvenience, it really wasn’t that bad. Outside of a couple extra wipe downs of our plane seat areas, a bit fewer interactions with flight attendants, a few more pre-packed items and perhaps a few less service items, the flight experience was really good. The feeling of anticipation flooded back quickly.
Before we knew it we landed in the warm tropical sunshine of Mexico, but first we had to cue up for the long immigration line….it felt like at least 3-4 planes arrived at the same time because the cue was crazy. There are no Covid-19 entry requirements required outside of completing a health questionnaire. Most everyone in the immigration cue respected the mask wearing signs but staying socially distant was nonexistent. We got through our line in about 20-30 minutes and then we waited and waited and waited some more before our luggage showed up. That took a good 40 odd minutes, guess too many planes arrived at once and not enough staff or just completely disorganized; the real reason we’ll never know. We had arranged a ride to our hotel and after some searching for the company representative with some help of a random stranger, we were on our way to hotel one, the Royalton Chic all-inclusive adults only resort on the Cancun hotel strip.
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