[DAY 55] One of my favorite travel memories: getting my flight anxiety ridden self into a tiny ass plane and flying over an active volcano in #Tanzania. So many fear receptors were activated at once I somehow ended up laughing. •• I’m posting a flying video, because I’ve been really frustrated with a lot of posts about flying I’m seeing in travel groups I’m a part of. •• People are asking other travelers how they can sneak into countries that don’t want to accept visitors due to the pandemic. Then getting frustrated when told maybe they shouldn’t do that. •• People are saying that even if the locals don’t want them somewhere, in order to protect themselves and their communities, they need to take a vacation to relax. •• I am appalled at the selfishness and callousness I am witnessing daily, especially as countries start to open up. Listen, if some countries open up and are actively seeking travelers for their own financial or other reasons, and you’re OK with closely following their safety measures and perhaps getting tested to make sure you’re not carrying the disease to a place that has it under control, go ahead. That is a choice you can make. •• But when a country has made the announcement that they do NOT WANT VISITORS. Or that they require a 14 day quarantine period and you’re trying to find ways to get around it. Stop. Just stop. The fact that some people feel their desire to take a vacation should trump locals’ concerns and safety is the epitome of privileged, destructive travel. •• This is not the way we move forward. We need to become more responsible and considerate in all aspects of travel. And that starts by not forcing ourselves into countries that have explicitly said they don’t want us there. There are regions and countries that probably do, given you follow certain safety protocols. If you REALLY want to travel in 2020, at least do it in those places and do it safely. Please share with friends if you agree. . . . . .