As I mentioned, I'm going to Italy...got my COVID test today

[Coventina]

I was negative, so all systems are GO!

But, while I was there at the clinic, I could hear through the paper-thin walls that a woman (young, by the sound of her voice) tested positive. She'd been feeling sick for a while. Her rapid test was positive. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, it was just clear as day.

She then proceeded to have a cell phone call right outside the window of my room in the clinic. Discussing how she needed to quarantine, etc.

It kind of freaked me out, even though I'm vaccinated, and *should* be safe. I could hear the doctor telling her to put her mask back on, when the results came in. I guess she was sitting there in the room without her mask on while the doctor ran the test!



This thing ain't over by a long shot, but sadly, people are acting as if it were.....

Now, I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for traveling internationally. My defense is, that if everyone would just get the damn vaccine, and still wore their masks like responsible people, we'd be able to do things like travel much more safely.



I'm still going. I've paid all my money, and I can't afford to just throw it away at this point.
Plus, my work is paying for part of it, and, I'd have a hard time explaining why I threw THEIR money away....

[Demovictory9]

1. I can't imagine that you will get flamed.

[iemanja]

6. Not for traveling

but daring to mention it's possible to get COVID despite being vaccinated.

[hamsterjill]

8. Exactly.

Because it only affects a small percentage and to hell with that small percentage. Unless, of course, you ARE part of that small percentage.

Don’t get me wrong, please. The vaccines are the best we’ve got and I’ve encouraged everyone I know to get vaccinated. But I do get frustrated with some of the attitudes on DU that insist break through infections only affect a certain few. No one denies the data, but we cannot and should not discount any occurrence because “it’s only a few”. Those “few” are responsible people who did their part and got vaccinated and they deserve to have their situations taken seriously.

[iemanja]

17. I agree completely

and grow tired of those insisting such posts shouldn't be on DU because they cause "fear." The comments remind me of those I heard not too long ago from different quarters.

[Crunchy Frog]

21. I've long ago learned to accept that DU is often an online insane asylum.

That, and liberal use of the ignore function are what keep the place tolerable for me.

I'm currently still masking indoors, and not trusting that the vaccine is giving either me, or my 81 year old mother, absolute protection.

If anyone wants to criticize me for that, they are welcome to my ignore list.

[Hekate]

2. Have a good and safe journey, and have a great time!

[WarGamer]

3. You'll be fine...

Freedom is back... enjoy!!

I'm going to the Andaman Islands in December for scuba.

[Lucky Luciano]

12. That's pretty hardcore.

I thought nonnatives were not allowed there and that the natives would kill visitors!

[WarGamer]

15. The closest I've been in the Similan Islands.

I fly into Phuket and stay at resorts near Khao Lak. Then we boat out in the mornings, amazing diving.

Andaman/Nicobar do have a sketchy reputation but it's 500+ islands and a handful are popular tourist destinations so the chance of ending up in a pot as soup is small... I hope

I'm part of a dive group and we haven't met in 2+ years so I'm excited!

[tblue37]

34. Before he had a stroke, my brother used to run a scuba diving school. Diving was the

great joy of his life, and it broke his heart to have to give it up because it was now too dangerous.

[WarGamer]

43. It's an addictive hobby!!!

[Hoyt]

4. Think we are at a point where vaccinated people can travel,

especially wearing masks, say on a plane.

Obviously, we’d be safest if everyone were still isolated. But that just ain’t where most people are at this point.

But we need to keep up with alerts.

[multigraincracker]

5. The best vacation trip

I ever went on. Wish I was going again.

[herding cats]

9. Have a lovely trip.

Be safe, and have a beautiful time. ❤️

[Solly Mack]

10. Have a wonderful time!

[pwb]

11. At my age I am staying put a bit longer but

family has traveled safely recently. Be careful and enjoy.

[GulfCoast66]

13. I'm jealous! Was there 3 years ago. Loved it.

Have a great time.

[brooklynite]

14. FYI - the KARA & NATE travelogue just did a program on Italy...

...be prepared for a testing protocol when you arrive.

[dawg day]

28. How do they do the filming?

They must have a robot with a camera, lol.

Interesting they have to get tested in the US and in Rome. The vax isn't enough.

[Stinky The Clown]

16. No flames from here.

We'll be in the UK and France in September.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. Have fun on your trip

I was at Walt Disney World in early May and my son is taking his sisters and brother in law in July

[littlemissmartypants]

19. Bon Voyage! I hope everything goes your way and the weather is lovely, too!

[bahboo]

20. Our last big trip was to Italy and Vienna in 2019....

I'm sure you'll love it....

[DFW]

22. Buon viaggio, e buon appetito!

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

On Friday, my wife and I are leaving for a vacation to a country that some see as dangerous and only partially civilized, though we are heading for a region known for being somewhat civilized. Wish us luck!

[smirkymonkey]

25. So you're coming to the states?

Where will you be going? It's a little early for Cape Cod for you guys, isn't it?

[DFW]

38. It is a week earlier than we usually come

Thank the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for that. They instituted a new tax on people who rent out their houses for less than 30 days. So, we took the house for five weeks instead of four. I said what the hell, am I the boss for Europe or not? I let everyone else under me take as much vacation as they want as long as their jobs get done, so why can't I accord myself the same conditions? I have stuff I have to do in Dallas in August, anyway. The usual routine medical checkups, dentist, cardio--although I just did my usual German semi-annual checkup this morning, so that is less urgent. There is also some convention I am expected to attend in some convenient-but-boring part of Illinois.

i HOPE I can get some rest. We have been quite loose over the years about letting any family who feels like it to come stay with us. Now, this year, they ALL feel like it. We get both daughters with partners and all children, plus my brother, plus my sister and her husband. I hope it won't descend into territorial unpleasantness. It never has, but I'm not traveling 4000 miles to run a youth hostel. I go to the Cape to relax, so I'm demanding a fair amount of autonomy on the part of our guests. Everyone except my brother has to bring their own car. I just want to cook scallops, cod and monkfish, eat locally made ice cream and salads my wife makes from locally grown veggies--and watch the sun set over the water. I get enough excitement and adventure during the rest of the year. It's July, let someone else play Jason Bourne.

[smirkymonkey]

41. Have a wonderful time!

Hopefully our heat wave will be over by then, but it hasn't been quite as bad as what they are gettin out on then West Coast!

[nuxvomica]

23. I went decades ago and fell in love with Venice

What a magical city! And the Italian people, for the most part, are very cool.

[mahina]

24. Enjoy la bella Italia

Jelly jelly super jelly

I love Italy very much

[BannonsLiver]

26. Hope you have a great trip

I went to Italy for 2 weeks about 5 months before the beginning of the pandemic and loved it. I’m sure our resident virus experts think you might as well be be BASE jumping from a moving 747 using dental floss as rope.

[smirkymonkey]

27. Have a wonderful time!

I love Italy! Where in Italy will you be going? I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back! And definitely bring pictures!

[Coventina]

33. Going to Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome

It's going to be a whirlwind!

[smirkymonkey]

35. What a wonderful trip!

I haven't been to Sorrento, but I have heard it's lovely. Will you be in communication with us during your travels or only when you return?

I hope you share your experience with us! I haven't traveled abroad in a while so I am looking forward to hearing all about it! I love hearing about people's travels. Have a great time!

[Coventina]

37. Thanks. I will do what I can, but I can't make promises.

Thanks so much for all the well-wishes!!

[dawg day]

29. Can you report back on the protocols, testing, all that?

I want to go to Europe in the fall, not sure what's involved?

[Coventina]

32. As of this moment, if you are fully vaccinated, you just need to bring your card.

But, things are very much in flux.....

[Luciferous]

30. Enjoy your trip! We went on a weekend trip to

the Dells. It was our first vacation in 3 years and we are all vaccinated so I didn't feel guilty at all.

[LisaL]

31. Italy is doing well right now covid-wise.

Now it's probably as good a time as ever to visit, before delta really takes off.

[spinbaby]

40. Timing is everything

I’m traveling next week with the idea that I’ll get it in before delta takes off.

[LisaL]

42. Yep.

Now it is probably the safest, since delta has not really taken off in the US.

[róisín_dubh]

36. Enjoy!

I'm in the UK and we're kinda screwed with Delta variant. I had a work trip planned to Gran Canaria (I know, I know, but it really was for work), but that got scrapped. I'll be back in the US for a couple months and I'm hoping that when I return to the UK, the double vaxxed folks like me don't have to quarantine. But who knows.
It's such a mess.
Have such a great trip!

[ProfessorGAC]

39. Been There Many Times

Over 40, in fact.
I think you'll love it.
A heads up; in Sorrento you are far more likely to run into places where nobody speaks English.
It can happen in the other 3 cities, but much less likely.
Have fun.