Sunday Spontaneity Flight 12:26:21
Flight cancelations across the U.S., cocktails and conversations with astronauts, and New Year's Eve
I just read a headline titled “The Nightmare Before Christmas” via Eater about the spread of Omicron in London, but it can certainly apply to the U.S. This week was, to put it lightly, chaotic. Cases spiked to a scary level, the masses were exposed, tests were impossible to access, and flights were canceled. While we knew Omicron was well on its way to the U.S., I don’t think anyone thought this week would go down the way it did.
While it’s hard to see the positives in this current situation (no pun intended), here’s one: the symptoms are generally very mild. As someone who was exposed and tested positive this week, I’ve felt nothing other than some sniffles and a bit of fatigue (as a vaccinated and boosted individual). Of course, not seeing our families wasn’t ideal, but as we hunkered down, cozied up with our pup, and cooked Christmas dinner from the groceries we ordered, I recognized our privilege of having a roof over our heads, plenty of food to keep us happy, and company to keep us comfortable. I know I am very, very lucky and am so grateful.
I know this isn’t how it played out for everyone, but I do know that all of us were personally affected or know someone who was affected by the Omicron disturbance. While there’s never a great time to have to isolate, doing so during the holiday season is extremely difficult, sad, and lonely (something to keep in mind when posting on social media). But the good news: there will be another holiday season next year. There will be other chances to gather with loved ones. This mild variant gives hope that maybe, just maybe, the severity of COVID is lessening. That perhaps the next variant will be even milder than the one before (everything crossed).
For now, I hope you find a bit of comfort during this uncomfortable time, and that you start the new year with hope in your heart. It’s all we have! Well, that and each other.
And with that, let’s jump into this week’s news and trends:
Travel News
Flights across the U.S. continue to get canceled: Over the last couple of days, several airlines have canceled hundreds of flights — now adding up to thousands — due to crew shortages in light of the ongoing Omicron situation. As a new week begins, it looks like flight cancelations are going to continue. If you have an upcoming flight, make sure to check with your airline about your flight status before heading to the airport, and sign up for text and email notifications so you can know about any cancelations as soon as they happen.
U.S. is lifting its travel ban on African countries this week: The U.S. is lifting the travel ban on eight southern African countries at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 31, which was put into placed when word of Omicron first surfaced. But the restrictions did little to stop the variant from making its way to and around the U.S., which is why officials see little point in keeping the ban in place. Plus, they are confident that vaccines and boosters will do their part.
Fun and/or Interesting Trends
Kennedy Space Center is hosting a “Chat With An Astronaut” series: The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida, launched a program that involves cocktails and conversation with an astronaut. Called “Chat With An Astronaut,” this new series lets participants ask astronauts all their burning questions over food and drinks in a small, intimate setting. With this and other recent news, like space tourism becoming more of a thing in the near future (did you know you can put yourself on a spaceflight waitlist?), it seems like the space access gap between astronauts and curious civilians might be getting smaller and smaller.
TikToker books a hotel room that opens directly into a restaurant: TikTok user @desireerosebaker posted a video of an Airbnb booking gone incredibly wrong. What she was promised online was a nice, two-queen-sized hotel room with a view of the NYC skyline. What she got was, well, still a room with two queen-sized beds, but the view was not what she expected. When the TikToker pulled up the shades to see the skyscrapers, instead she was staring at two people having dinner (who didn’t see her because it was set up like a one-way mirror). While she didn’t get a refund from the host (?!), Airbnb gave her credit for another stay. So…always check the reviews. If there aren’t any reviews…maybe contemplate whether you want to risk being the first.
**In light of COVID numbers continuing to spike due to Omicron, instead of a “things to do next weekend” section, I encourage you do something low-key for New Year’s Eve. Maybe attend a friend’s small gathering (with people who you know and trust), or plan a virtual hangout (sry we’re still doing this), or — and this might be my favorite option (it is) — just stay in, pour yourself a glass of vino, and hope for things to look brighter in 2022.**
With all that being said, HAPPY NEW YEAR readers!!! Grateful for you today and every day — here’s to traveling boldly (and safely…and more) in 2022 *clinks glasses*