The idea of travelling solo to Europe for 13 days in Italy and Switzerland prompted a mixed response from Melburnians.The idea of travelling solo to Europe for 13 days in Italy and Switzerland prompted a mixed response from Melburnians.Last modified on Thu 3 Nov 2022 01.42 GMTy time had finally come. I had scrounged up some leave, managed to save up enough cash and all Covid-19 entry restrictions into Italy and Switzerland had been dropped.It turns out, a lot of people cared.
There were those who were absolutely all for it – mostly close friends and co-workers who expressed their envy, their certainty it would be an amazing experience, and their admiration that I was travelling solo.They understood my need for a change after the tedium of the previous two years, and, at three-quarters of the way through the working year, we all felt like we needed a break.
One co-worker, who had just returned from maternity leave, told me, “you’re living the life I want to – you have to go!”“You can’t go to Europe for just two weeks!”Some, though clearly doubtful, were more tactful about it. Relatives and in-laws, for instance, may have looked at me quizzically at first, but accepted it.
After several of these reactions, I found myself justifying my trip, even though I knew I didn’t need to. Of course, I was lucky to be able to travel. With the cost of living surging, many were not in the same position. But it wasn’t just a holiday; my main purpose was to join a creative writing retreat for a week, something I had always wanted to do, and it suddenly felt important for people to understand this.
Jade's justification in this Guardian piece for abandoning any Covid concerns and travelling to Europe was literally 'I can therefore I will'. The celebration of the cult of individualism is being weaponised in the West to break down our collective commitment to public health..
Just what the world needs during a pandemic and the climate crisis - people self indulgently hopping on planes for 13 day trips to Europe, and telling themselves and others they don't need any excuse
No No No. This claim of most locked down city has been fact checked over and over and found to be misleading. Pls check the facts.🙃
Jade lives in Buenos Aires?