The Lari Journey

 For the next several days, I read everything that I could find trying to clarify whether or not Spain would open to Americans on June 7th. I read published news articles, blogs, and official Spanish-government bulletins. I spoke with the airline and the travel agent. The information changed by the hour and by the source. There was only one conclusion: No one really knew what the heck was happening. As crazy as it was, I cannot explain why, but through it all I had peace and a reassurance that on June 16th I would be disembarking a plane in Madrid, Spain. Then on Saturday, June 5th I heard the news: It was official, Americans will be allowed entry to Spain on June 7th. Geez! talk about waiting until the last minute. But we have learned that that is just how the COVID-saga rolls.  Now begins the quest to inform myself about all the required documentation and regulations that I will need to have completed and/or in-hand in order to realize this trip... and once again: No Straig...

When I read that Spain… yes, my beloved Spain, was going to open to Americans, my heart started racing.  It’s a story we know all too well: pre-made plans for a Summer 2020 European vacation derailed in early March as the world was put on lock-down, seemingly overnight. Now, over 14 months later, on May 21st el Presidente Sánchez delivers the news to the world … “As of June 7, all vaccinated persons are welcome in our country regardless of their place of origin."  Now, I would not consider myself a fan of Spain’s current president, but in that instant, he became my favorite pandemic-politician. In what was later described to me by a friend as "in true Lari-style ", I immediately grabbed my calendar and my credit card ... my flight on American Airlines to Madrid was booked, purchased, and confirmed before the stroke of midnight. The next few days were spent joyfully making preliminary plans: car rental, potential destinations, a few contacts, etc. Then... on May 29th the ...