came to the decision that I would travel back to Lisbon for the remaining period since the promising news about the opening borders, hospitality towards tourism and of course, the footage of the bathing prime minister.
Firstly, the airplane ticket prices went insane. I always considered myself and my mom as the queens of finding the cheapest airplane tickets, but I guess that’s a thing of the past. When I first came to Lisbon my ticket was a whooping 10 euros, it was a real steal. Now I wouldn’t like to name the price since it would destroy my illusion. The prices are changing even in the matter of a few hours, going to a such a high price that us, broke students would never consider paying.
After the purchase there still is an uncertainty. Is the flight going to get cancelled? If so, when will I find out about it? What if they won’t let me on board?
At the airport they would only let people to a certain point and there is a certain hour that they let you in the building. Up to that point you need to wait outside.
Then the moment finally arrives, you are through the check in, you got through the security check too and waiting for the flight. Everybody wearing masks but those two small kids who are way too young to know what it’s going on in this world. International people speaking about tactics and plans to lose the insecurities while trying to escape this reality.
You finally get on board, but you must wear your mask on the whole flight. It doesn’t matter if it’s only half an hour or five hours. It’s good that they’re making people cautious about the surroundings, but I really don’t understand why a person wears it when he or she is the only one in the whole que. Good thing, you can take a breath while drinking a sip of the warm coffee they serve.
When you arrive, they would stop you and ask whether you are going to another destination or if not, then what are your intentions to do in Lisbon. They would also ask if you have an accommodation.
But then, if you pass that, everything is fine. You are finally free. Free to go, free to live a different kind of life at least for a while.
It’s great that the countries are opening their borders, it’s great that airlines are working again, but the present is so foggy. The pandemic is somewhat still very present but in the same time it became a part of confusing memory of this chaotic year where a new global tragedy appears every other week. In conclusion, unnecessary travel is still not supported but we are slowly getting past through this. Together.