Unexpected Travel Costs thanks to COVID-19
Donation protected
Hey guys. If you don't know, I am currently in Europe on what was supposed to be a 2.5 month European tour. As is often the case, life happened, and I am now trying to come home much earlier than expected. Originally I was supposed to go to 11 countries: England, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Greece, (back to Italy), Switzerland, Spain, and Scotland. Due to COVID-19, things changed. It started out with just skipping Rome, Italy and staying in Budapest. But then it escalated. And Venice was put into lockdown, which means I didn't have transportation to Lucerne and Zürich, Switzerland. I just rolled with the punches and replaced Italy and Switzerland with Portugal, but as you can guess, it has spread here, too. To top things off, my travel partner, in fear of catching it and giving it to his grandparents, decided to return home rather than risk exposure, so I am now here all alone on a different continent in the middle of a pandemic.
This morning, I awake to dozens of messages from family and friends regarding the travel ban enforced by Donald Trump last evening, which takes effect Friday at midnight. To clarify, I, as a US citizen, am not banned from returning home to the US, though I will be subject to testing and potentially placed in quarantine for at least two weeks. When I initially heard the news, there was so much I didn't know, so you can imagine my panic. And if I was panicking this much, imagine how the rest of the world is feeling. I mean, Denmark canceled all flights in and out of the country. Holy cow.
You don't need me to tell you about Coronavirus. I don't have it and I am hoping to avoid it. It is something I am aware of and expect, and will deal with if and when the time comes. When I left for this trip, one thing I didn't expect the outbreak to spread this severely. Not to mention the financial impact it would have on me personally. Between getting new flights to avoid Italy, and canceling multiple weeks of the trip to avoid more travel bans, I have incurred just over $2,000 (this trip was originally supposed to be a TOTAL of $1,600 for flights and accommodations) in nonrefundable flights that weren't/won't be used, new flights to different, safer areas in Europe, and non-refundable accommodations alone, not including the cost of having to add in another new flight just to get home. These costs were not factored in at the beginning of the trip, and seeing as I'm still stuck in Europe and not home where I can be working yet, it is all a little daunting.
Now I know that coming home early is my choice. It is not that I am afraid of getting sick. I am more worried about more and more countries adding travel restrictions and bans, and do not want to be stuck in a country that is on full lock down, like Italy is now. I just want to be home and safe. I am hoping to get home before countries begin to cancel flights to the US. It is only a matter of time, and there is too much uncertainty to risk staying in Europe with the possibility of being unable to come home.
The money raised here will go toward helping to ease some of the sting of the unexpected costs incurred during this trip. Anything you can chip in to help would be more than appreciated. I am so thankful for the kindness I have received with people checking to make sure I have somewhere to stay if I do have to stay in Europe, and with others checking to see what my plan is to get home. I will keep everyone updated here on my plans. Thank you for being willing to read this and even considering helping me out. I really appreciate it more than you know and am truly humbled by the kindness of others.
This morning, I awake to dozens of messages from family and friends regarding the travel ban enforced by Donald Trump last evening, which takes effect Friday at midnight. To clarify, I, as a US citizen, am not banned from returning home to the US, though I will be subject to testing and potentially placed in quarantine for at least two weeks. When I initially heard the news, there was so much I didn't know, so you can imagine my panic. And if I was panicking this much, imagine how the rest of the world is feeling. I mean, Denmark canceled all flights in and out of the country. Holy cow.
You don't need me to tell you about Coronavirus. I don't have it and I am hoping to avoid it. It is something I am aware of and expect, and will deal with if and when the time comes. When I left for this trip, one thing I didn't expect the outbreak to spread this severely. Not to mention the financial impact it would have on me personally. Between getting new flights to avoid Italy, and canceling multiple weeks of the trip to avoid more travel bans, I have incurred just over $2,000 (this trip was originally supposed to be a TOTAL of $1,600 for flights and accommodations) in nonrefundable flights that weren't/won't be used, new flights to different, safer areas in Europe, and non-refundable accommodations alone, not including the cost of having to add in another new flight just to get home. These costs were not factored in at the beginning of the trip, and seeing as I'm still stuck in Europe and not home where I can be working yet, it is all a little daunting.
Now I know that coming home early is my choice. It is not that I am afraid of getting sick. I am more worried about more and more countries adding travel restrictions and bans, and do not want to be stuck in a country that is on full lock down, like Italy is now. I just want to be home and safe. I am hoping to get home before countries begin to cancel flights to the US. It is only a matter of time, and there is too much uncertainty to risk staying in Europe with the possibility of being unable to come home.
The money raised here will go toward helping to ease some of the sting of the unexpected costs incurred during this trip. Anything you can chip in to help would be more than appreciated. I am so thankful for the kindness I have received with people checking to make sure I have somewhere to stay if I do have to stay in Europe, and with others checking to see what my plan is to get home. I will keep everyone updated here on my plans. Thank you for being willing to read this and even considering helping me out. I really appreciate it more than you know and am truly humbled by the kindness of others.
Organizer
Katherine Gundlach
Organizer
