Sunday Spontaneity Flight 01:30:22
Norway drops quarantine requirement, the Grand Canyon Railway is reopening, and 2022 is the year of GOAT (Greatest of All Trips)
For a month that is known to be slow, quiet, and oftentimes isolation, I have kept myself weirdly busy (hence not sending out the last two issues of Sunday Spontaneity). Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t seen nearly as many people as I usually do, have stayed indoors for the majority of days (grateful to have WFH privilege), and feel like I’m physically moving at a slower pace. But, the reason I semi-love (emphasis on the “semi”) January is because it’s a month that allows us to gravitate toward our passions, pick up the projects left untouched for years, and reflect on what we want to do that we haven’t gotten to yet.
I have four passions in life: travel, storytelling, Greek culture, and wellness — but for the sake of keeping it short and relevant, I’m going to focus on travel. I took on an exciting assignment that resulted in a solo trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where I got to talk to locals, explore new and familiar territory, and most importantly, reacquaint myself with why I love travel so much. I drove five hours there and five hours back over the course of roughly 36 hours — packing in pit spots along the way — and the spontaneous rush of it all set my soul on fire (dramatic, but true).
But the process of reflecting on and reconnecting with your passions differs by person, and January might not have been the month for that to happen for you — and that’s totally fine (no pressure is welcomed here). Just know that if you’re feeling the winter blues (maybe from canceling/postponing a trip, among other things), seasons change and these times won’t remain the same forever. Inspiration might strike when you least expect it. But taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health is top priority, always — everything else can wait.
And with that, let’s jump into this week’s news and trends:
Norway drops quarantine requirement for international travelers: After two years, Norway has finally dropped its quarantine requirement for international travelers. All you have to do is complete an entry registration form no more than 72 hours before arriving in Norway, and then upon arrival, take a free COVID-19 rapid antigen test at the airport before you’re good to go.
Some European countries are making it easier to enter — and others, harder: Alongside Norway, Ireland and the UK are also making it easier for international travelers to cross over into their borders. Earlier this month, Ireland dropped its requirement for a pre-departure COVID test (but as of Feb. 1, vaccine certificates need to be no more than 270 days or travelers need to show proof of booster). The UK followed suit. On the flip side, both France and Greece have increased their international entry requirements.
The Grand Canyon Railway is reopening after several decades: Switching gears to some domestic news, the Grand Canyon Railway will be reopening in the iconic National Park, providing visitors with rides around its canyons via steam train. Two trains dating back to 1923 are being revived to provide the 2-hour trip each way, with 3.5 hours to explore the Grand Canyon in between journeys. The trains will run the first Saturday of every month from March until Oct., and more information can be found on their website.
Fun and/or Interesting Trends
2022 is predicted to be the year of the GOAT (Greatest of All Trips): This is the year that people are planning to “go big” with their travel plans. And it makes sense: 2020 was no travel, 2021 was domestic travel, and 2022 is filled with hopes of the big travel plans. Amadeus, a travel tech company, has seen a major increase in searches for “epic destinations,” reported CNBC, and searches for various international destinations are on the rise. All of this does mean dishing out more $$$ to finally tackle that dream trip, so if you’re planning one of your own, spending might be in your future.
Airportle, the airport version of Wordle, is now a thing: If you haven’t played Wordle, you’ve probably at least heard of the phenomenon that has taken over people’s attention (I just played it for the first time and I was screaming, can confirm the hype is real). Scotts Cheap Flights has created its own version inspired by Wordle that’s the perfect game to play in the airport: Airportle. The game has you guessing airport IATA codes (the two to three letters used to identify airports).
Things to do Next Weekend
New York
Saturday, Feb. 5: Lunar New Year Celebration Event (Queens): Celebrate the Year of the Tiger at this Lunar New Year celebratory event at Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing, Queens. Activities and events include a winter scavenger hunt, the Year of the Tiger community art project, paper blossom DIYs, and compost tours, among other things.
Cost: Free
Saturday, Feb. 5: Modern Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop and Tea Tasting (Brooklyn): Attend this workshop series to learn about a modern approach to the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. Guided by flower artist Ye Zi, learn how to make your own Ikebana flower arrangement while sipping on a cup of Debutea.
Cost: Starting at $100 per ticket
Connecticut
Saturday, Feb. 5: Metal Yoga Pop Up (Manchester): Join this 45-minute yoga class at Labyrinth Brewing Company that will have you listening to headbanging music while getting your flow on. The listing says to come in your best metal shirt. And since the event is held at a brewery, you’ll get to enjoy a refreshing beer afterward.
Cost: $20
Sunday, Feb. 6: Imbolc Forest Bathing Walk (Essex): In honor of Imbolc, one of the annual ancient Celtic festivals, spend time in nature with gentle movements that aim to “revitalize your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional stresses and kinks.” The event will wrap with a hot, locally foraged tea.
Cost: $40
New Jersey
Friday, Feb. 4: DIY Chunky Blanket Workshop (Marlboro): Make your very own chunky blanket to get through the rest of winter and beyond. Materials and aprons will be provided, and BYOB is encouraged.
Cost: $65
Saturday, Feb. 5: Distillery Tour and Tasting (Newark): Take a tour of All Points West Distillery, which honors the history of Newark’s former breweries by reviving the city’s alcohol beverage production. The distillery provides a Trans-Atlantic take on gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey, which you will learn about and taste via a flight of 3 spirits. Cheers!
Cost: $24
Pennsylvania
Saturday, Feb. 5: The Black Journey: African-American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia (Philadelphia): Take a 90-minute walking tour that honors and celebrates the history of Black Americans in the city of Philadelphia. Go everywhere from Independence Hall to the American Philosophical Society Museum and Bicentennial Moon Tree, among many other sites. If you can’t make it this weekend, the Black Journey tours run every Saturday.
Cost: $35 per ticket
Saturday, Feb. 5: Hibernation Party (Export): Meet at Helltown Brewing for the ultimate sampling of five breweries (Devout Brewing, Hitchhiker Brewing, Otto’s Brewing, Trace Brewing, Yellow Bridge Brewing) as well as Arsenal Cider House. Each ticket gets you a souvenir Hibernation Party glass that you can fill up with beer throughout the event, plus access to food trucks and live music.
Cost: $45 per ticket
Online
Saturday, Feb. 5: Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration: Made possible by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the U.S., ring in the Year of the Tiger during this virtual event. Highlights include performances by the Madison Chinese Dance Academy, demos of traditional Chinese crafting, and Lunar New Year Traditions, like the classic lion dance, among other things.
Cost: Free
Saturday, Feb. 5: National Museum of African American History & Culture - Livestream Tour: Led by Washington, DC History & Culture, take a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture that is dedicated to African-American history and culture. The 10-story building has about 3,500 items on display, so get ready to learn a lot.
Cost: Free
Here’s to being almost halfway through winter, folks! Whether you’re traveling or staying put and dreaming of far-off lands this week, know that brighter days are ahead. Travel Boldly (& Safely), friends! x