
Notice I wrote traveling through, not traveling with. Although I wouldn’t know if I have COVID-19, the Coronavirus. I haven’t been tested, I’m not showing symptoms, but yes, I could be infected. After all, I was in the midst of thousands of others this past week, at Boston’s Logan airport, Reykjavík’s Keflavik airport, Zürich’s airport, the train from Zürich to Fribourg. Then the markets and coffee shops and restaurants and stores in Fribourg. And, sadly, just a few days later, the packed train from Fribourg to Zürich, a flight from Zürich to Dublin, four hours in the jam-packed Dublin airport, six hours on the full airplane to Boston.
My little vacation and book research trip was cut short after president Trump declared Wednesday evening that, effective Friday, all travel from European countries to the US, was banned for 30 days. That’s what he said, what he supposedly read off a Teleprompter. (Yes, I know that Homeland Security later clarified it, but he’d already stated the mistruth.) I watched the speech, at around 2:00 in the morning in my hotel room, with a sense of dread. I was scheduled to be in Fribourg until Monday, 16 March. Under his directive, I would be stuck in Switzerland for another month. Now, you know I love Switzerland! But I couldn’t stay for a month. So, at 2:00 am Thursday morning, I began packing. I thought, just in case. I sent an email to my husband, letting him know I was awake and aware of the situation.
A half hour later, he called me. After a few choice words for Trump, he implored me to come home. “Do whatever it takes,” he said. “Don’t worry about the money. Just come home.”
By 3:30, I was dressed and packed. I sent messages to my friend Barbara, with whom I’d spent a lovely day on Tuesday, and to my friend Fabiola, with whom I was supposed to spend Saturday. I had friends sending messages to me. ‘Did you hear?’ ‘What are you going to do?’ ‘I’m worried about you.’

Thursday, 12 March 2020 5:45 am
I checked out of the hotel. Four nights unused, and although the guy at the desk said he’d look into it, I don’t expect a refund. I walked through dark and quiet streets to the train station (that brought back memories of my student days!), purchased a ticket from a smart machine, and rolled my bag up a ramp to track 3. The 6:04 train left on time – of course – and filled up at Bern, its next stop. Every time I heard someone cough near me, I pulled my scarf up over my nose.
I arrived at the airport by 8:00 and traveled up escalators to the departures area. When I inquired about where to find the Icelandair check-in desk, I learned that Icelandair doesn’t have a desk in the airport. (Note to self regarding discount airfares: sometimes you get what you pay for)
I was sent to FinnAir. I tried calling Icelandair and was told I was number 76 in the queue. After twenty minutes, I was number 72. I asked the woman at FinnAir if Swiss was flying to Boston that day. She directed me to another counter, where a very nice man looked up flights available Thursday to Boston. It was 8:30 in the morning. I was operating on zero sleep, one cup of coffee. I had last eaten at 4:00 Wednesday afternoon. He told me my best option was on Aer Lingus, Zürich to Dublin, Dublin to Boston. $1,397.00
I handed over my Visa card. The crowds at the airport, my understanding of exponential growth, and my intense desire to be home propelled me to the Aer Lingus check-in counter and down to the waiting area.
Both flights were full. Two women who had arrived in Prague on Tuesday and were flying back to Seattle, a nine-hour flight. “We had one day, yesterday,” one of them said. Four male college students on spring break, heading home early because their parents were “freaking out,” one said. When I defended the parents’ concern, they grinned and acknowledged it was the right thing to do. Most of the passengers, it seemed, were there because of the speech. Even the officials at passport control understood.
Only one time I was asked if I’d been to China or Iran. No one cared that I’d been in Switzerland, where there are nearly 650 cases and 4 deaths. That was on Wednesday. One day earlier there were only 500 cases.
I am home. My husband was at Logan last night to pick me up. I’d been awake for nearly 48 hours straight. I’m going to self-quarantine while I monitor myself. I hope others do, but many won’t.

As for Fribourg, it’s been in my memory for over 40 years. It’ll stay there, even if some of those memories aren’t quite as sharp as they once were. And the book? It’s still going to be written. A self-imposed quarantine gives me plenty of time to write.
Hugs, Martha. I was wondering what stage of your trip you would be at. Seems like you did pretty well to get back, with the fast-changing information and policies. And although Switzerland is lovely, being stuck somewhere is very different from being there by choice. Glad you are feeling OK.
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Thank you, Pauline. I could have stayed with friends, but I’m sure they would have been tired of my presence! And I know Jim was worried.
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What an experience. I’m sure in the end, you’ll feel it was a wise decision. You are now part of history, Martha!
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I do feel it was wise, Jacqui, especially after seeing what those poor travelers experienced yesterday in Chicago and Dallas.
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Sounds like a harrowing trip home. I’m glad you’re back safe, Martha!
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Me too, Satin! Thank you.
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I thought of you immediately when Trump made that announcement. I am very glad that you are safe and home with JIM and Bonnie. You cannot escape my love for you Martha, even if you fly across the Atlantic Ocean. ❤️
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Nor would I want to, Kathy! 💚
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That was a scary experience! Glad you are home. I pray for your health! All will be fine.
As for me, I have chronic bronchitis that is really misbehaving. Went back to the Dr this morning. Got a shot of a high steroids and a high antibiotics. To go along with the steroids and antibiotics I am still taking. Doing what it takes to stay away from the hospital. I have no fever, but like you I will be staying at home. Take care my friend ❤️😷
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I’m glad you’re doing this, Leslie.
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Great read and hopefully you fully enjoyed your few days there. If you hadn’t done what you did who knows how long you might have had to stay in Switzerland….perhaps not a bad thing but certainly an expensive one! I don’t need to reiterate how I feel about Trump…..just hoping Biden can get elected. Almost time to watch the jackass again and learn what a federal state of emergency means. Welcome home! ________________________________
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Thanks. I’m watching now – he definitely shouldn’t be winging it, but he is.
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You sure had quite the adventure young lady, I’m glad your home and safe. Traveling to the grocery store is scary today, each day I dread watching the news. I can’t imagine being abroad right now or even getting into a plane.
Stay well ❤️
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Thank you, Karen. Thinking of you and your traveling family, too. Be well, everyone 💛💛💛
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You’re safely home and hopefully not carrying anything you didn’t take with you. Welcome back.
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I guess we’ll see, Denise. Thanks 💚
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That was an adventure you won’t forget! I’m glad you are home safely and pray you stay healthy!
XO
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Thank you, Karen. Hope you’re all well, too.
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I’m glad you made it home ok.
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Thank you, Bonnie. Scary times.
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