The trip

The journey to arrive in Singapore was long: 3 planes carefully planned with stop overs long enough to be sure not to miss the last one. There was not many choices of itinerary due to the decrease of the float since the COVID19 outbreak, and I preferred to stay conservative even though I would have to wait a lot.

It was stressful: of course, I wanted to avoid touching anything around me, and I was prepared with clean wipes (ecological ones) to be able to wash around when needed (toilets, seats, the environment seemed clean but well… we are not careful enough).

It was strange and creepy: Airports were empty, most of the shops were closed, either completely vacant or functioning like a display. Sometimes music could be heard from the boutique, probably to catch a bit more the attention. Only very few restaurants and fast food stalls were open. The rare people wandering around were masked as required, and some travelers had even protective gears as if they were working in hospitals. It was exactly like being in a science fiction movie: A nuclear bomb just exploded, – or a deadly virus was released from a lab and people were either dead or avoiding being outside – not far from the reality…. A very strange feeling.

The flights service were simpler than before: food and beverages distributed more sparsely, increase use of disposable stuff, and boarding very calm as people were keeping their distance.

I luckily found a warm and humanized area at about 20 min walk from Los Angeles International airport. I needed to spend about 10h there so it was better to find something reasonable. After a good vegan-sandwich, I reached an hotel lobby and worked there for the rest of the day until I could check in for the last part of my trip. That brought me warmth in this journey.

I arrived in Singapore safe and sound. As usual, efficiency was excellent and I could enter the country passing the different counters exactly according to the procedure that had been detailed to me ahead. Kindness was there too, as the officer asked me with a compassionate smile whether I agreed to spend 15 days in a hotel room in quarantine. I knew I had no choice or I would be repatriated outside the borders… From there, I was “escorted” by bus to my hotel – an unknown destination at that point.

I am in Singapore, the trip has been ok – and so I hope that I was not exposed to the virus – and I am in the process of seeing very soon my family. I have only to spend 14 days in quarantine… Yeah!

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