I've Been Shot! Twice!

Relax. It was just the Moderna Covid-19 vaccination. Actually, it happened toward the end of February so I'm well past the two week "making anti-bodies" window. I was in the group that, after medical personnel and first responders, was the first in our little town to be offered the vaccine. 

Ah! the joys of being over 65!

As it turned out, the Norwegian ended up getting the Pfizer vaccine, so as a couple, we're a good case study for how those two versions of Covid-19 protection work. We both had mild reactions, just arm pain at the injection site and general tiredness and agreed that it was an easier vaccination regimen than the two-shot Shingrix vaccine procedure. (Having had shingles in 2019, let me urge you to run, not walk, to get yours if you haven't already if you're over 50. You seriously do not want shingles.)  

Since our vaccination, our immediate family--my octogenarian parents, and all our adult kids--have had their two Covid-19 shots. So relieved that not only are we all protected, but the head of the CDC, Dr. Walensky, said just last week that studies indicate those who have been fully vaccinated cannot carry or pass on the virus to anyone else! 

I'm thrilled with that news. Here in Missouri, vaccinations are now opening up for all age groups 18 and over, so hopefully we'll soon be past the worst of the pandemic in our neck of the woods. (If you are hesitant about taking the vaccine, let me urge you not to fear. Despite the political silliness that has surrounded these medical breakthroughs, they seem to be the way we'll leave the devastation of 2020 behind and move forward together.)

But what about the rest of the world? This site tracks the number of vaccinations by country. Israel seems to be leading the pack in reaching "herd immunity." (And accordingly, they are among the few countries starting to allow cruising again for their citizens.)

We're still hopeful about leaving for our world cruise on the Viking Star next January, but while we're doing what's necessary to make ourselves safe for the destinations on our itinerary, will they welcome us? 

That's an open question. As of right now, Canada has closed its ports to cruise ships which has killed our Alaskan hopes for the 2nd year in a row. New Zealand and Australia, places we'll spend over a month sailing around if all was as it should be, are not welcoming foreign tourists. In fact, I'm having trouble finding a single country that will open its ports to cruisers from the United States. 

Of course, it doesn't help matters that no cruise ships are departing from US ports at all and the CDC is dragging its heels on a plan to restart cruising, even though other travel segments (airlines, resorts, amusement parks, even casinos) are being allowed to operate. Even if the Viking WC sails, under current regulations, we can't board the Star at a domestic port. 

Yeah, I know. It's a first world problem that makes me sound like the worst of spoiled brats. And  believe me, I am grateful to live where I live. I'm beyond thankful the Norwegian and I are financially able to travel on this grand scale (at least occasionally!) But we have worked our entire adult lives and now as retirees, we feel it's our duty to provide jobs for others. 

If the gutters need cleaning, we hire it done. (There's no way I'll risk the Norwegian on a ladder. I'm too fond of his present configuration.) Anything that needs fixing isn't a project, it's phone call to someone who has the tools and expertise to do it. Our goal is to make it possible for someone else to make a living. It's kinda the American Way, capitalism spreading the money around.

Likewise when we travel, we're bringing our tourist dollars with us, going on excursions, buying little gifts for our family, tipping our guides, drivers, porters, servers, and stewards lavishly, though probably not shopping extravagantly. (No jewelry or spendy stuff for me. I do have my reputation as the Anti-Shopper to maintain.) The US economy has been devastated by this virus. I can only imagine how difficult it's been in places that depend on tourism. Even in our country, all the port workers, the cruise line employees, travel agents, the companies that provide food and fuel, entertainers, have been hit hard. 

I'm so hopeful the vaccines will be plentiful and well-distributed in time for us to make this trip next January. As we get closer to the date, I'm expected some changes in our itinerary (fingers crossed hard for our Egypt and Israel stops!) but no matter what gets cut or added, I'm suffering from such "cruise withdrawal" I don't have a breaking point in terms of what we have to give up. To quote Robert Louis Stephenson:

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilization, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.”

Okay, traveling on the Star isn't coming down off the "feather-bed of civilization" but I still long to go just to be going!