A Swiss Adventure
Hiking Switzerland
Canterbury
After our amazing hiking experiences in Switzerland, where Julia and
I embraced many corners of the Alps, it was time to bid farewell. Our next stop
was England, where we planned to spend two weeks reconnecting with Julia’s
family.
The flight was uneventful. Upon arriving, we navigated Heathrow’s
familiar bustle and made our way to Canterbury. Our plan was to divide our time
between them and Julia’s dad, stepmom, her mom and stepdad, as well as meet up
with a few old friends over pub lunches and afternoon teas. These trips are
always a mix of nostalgic visits and relaxed family gatherings.
The first few days went smoothly. We spent time with Julia’s mom,
who had been looking forward to our visit for months. She’d planned some cozy
evenings, and we were happy to slow down and enjoy her company after our Swiss
adventures. One of the highlights was a dinner Julia cooked for her mom and
stepdad. The meal was simple but full of laughter. The kitchen was filled with
familiar aromas—roast vegetables, and Julia’s love filled cooking. We caught up
on life, travel stories, and family memories. It was a night that felt warm and
connected, and we were so glad we managed to pull it off before the storm hit.
It wasn’t long after this dinner that both Julia and I started
feeling a bit off. At first, it seemed like the typical travel fatigue, the
sort that follows a whirlwind of hikes, flights, and adjusting to new
environments. But soon, the telltale symptoms of something more sinister appeared.
Fatigue gave way to fevers, coughs, splitting headaches, and a sense of
overwhelming malaise. Julia tested positive for COVID. Oddly I tested negative.
But given we both had the same symptoms it was clear I had contracted COVID
too. What a bummer, as we had both resisted the awful malady for four years.
Suddenly, our plans for the remainder of the trip unraveled. The
visions we had of long lunches, leisurely walks, and catching up with Julia’s family
over a pint in their local pub were replaced with isolation, careful planning,
and concern for those around us. The worst part was realizing that we had
already been around Julia’s mom and stepdad. Thankfully, they did not get sick,
but the worry lingered for days.
Julia
was no longer contagious
Our time in England became a quiet, subdued period of recovery. Gone
were the casual family visits, the outings, and the dinners we had planned.
Instead, we spent most of our time resting, hoping to recover quickly, and
managing symptoms as best we could.
Julia’s family was incredibly understanding and supportive, but it
was still hard to navigate the disappointment of missing out on time with them.
We’d see them briefly from afar—outside in the garden, waving through windows,
or standing at a distance in the driveway, masked up and exchanging a few muffled
words. It was a strange and lonely way to visit family, but we made the most of
what little time we had.
The silver lining was that, although we were physically distant,
Julia’s mom was supportive and checked in on us regularly. Her dad, too, made
efforts to see us, when possible, but always at a safe distance. We exchanged
updates over the phone, and our talks with family members became moments of
respite amidst the frustration of isolation.
Julia was no longer contagious
It was disheartening to be in the same country as loved ones but
unable to truly spend time with them. There was a deep sense of missing out,
especially after the enriching experience we had in Switzerland, where we felt
so alive and connected to nature. Now, stuck in quarantine, our world had
shrunk to a small, quiet Airbnb where our conversations centered around
managing symptoms, sharing cups of tea, and figuring out how to make the most
of a trip that had gone sideways.
As the days passed, our symptoms began to subside, and we started to
feel like ourselves again. But by the time we were well enough to spend real
time with family, our stay in England was nearly over. There was a
bittersweetness to those final days—grateful for recovery but disappointed by
the lost opportunities. We had come all this way, only to spend most of the
trip recovering from an illness. However, we were also thankful that our
families had stayed healthy and that, despite everything, we had seen them—even
if only briefly.
Soon enough, it was time to head back home. Packing our bags felt
like the end of a very different journey than the one we had envisioned. But we
were ready to return, eager to rest and recover fully in the comfort of our own
home. The flight back was reflective. We were grateful for the time we had in
Switzerland and with family in England, even if things hadn’t gone to plan.
Once home, we continued on the long road to full recovery from COVID.
It’s funny how a trip can take unexpected turns. What started as a
vibrant adventure in the Alps had ended in quiet isolation, yet it gave us time
to reflect, appreciate our health, and treasure the small but significant
moments of connection we had shared with family. While our plans were crushed
by COVID, it reminded us how adaptable we must be in the face of unforeseen
challenges—and that even in difficult times, there are moments of gratitude to
be found.
What an amazing trip it had been. I would recommend visiting Switzerland,
but I would skip the COVID infection.