To travel, especially internationally, in the time of covid takes dedication and patience. Each country you visit is ruled by politicians who, even if we are generous of them, are simply overwhelmed by the covid, their lack of options, previous failed policies, and the fear that their actions have created in their own public. But life and travel must go on.

The first hurdle one must face is the ever-changing restrictions and rules regarding covid that can change literally day by day. Watching the news in the U.K. and speaking with locals, there seems to be a consensus that the pols and medical “experts” don’t really know what to do. At least in the U.K., the pols “urge” citizens to isolate as much as possible as any mandate would be deadly (remember, their pols live in a parliamentary system which can react much more quickly than ours). Yes, wear face masks (even as they admit they are not much use), but just act like adults and get your shots. As an example:

 To get on our flight to London, we needed to complete a “Passenger Locator Form” for the U.K. government. This form included the information on a covid test that we had to take during the first two days upon landing which included information on a test which we had to purchase online. The result could take up to two days for completion and one is expected to self-isolate in the interim. As we were only going to be in London for three days, that was a poor option, so we paid extra for a test with results in a few hours. All the lab had to do was to deliver the test to us when we landed, which of course, they failed to do. Now you might ask, why take a test after one lands as if you are covid-positive, the potential damage is greater, but then you don’t understand the bureaucratic mind. So, we paid about $200 for the fast test which of course, was not waiting for us. As the test was not waiting for us upon arrival, we decided to visit a local pharmacy and pay $250 each for a fast test (so much for the National Health Service and free medical coverage). Yes, the original ordered test did arrive near the end of day two would have given us results after we left. Ver helpful. We did return the late test package and are getting a refund. To add insult to injury, the crack customs people did not ask to see our proof of the ordered test but quickly welcomed us in the country.