Satisfying one's Wanderlust in Lockdown
It's been a little over two months since I returned from a ski trip in France. The day after I arrived home I was told not to go to the office due to concerns over COVID 19 and a week later the country was closed to all foreign visitors. I felt trapped. For the first time in years I do not have flights booked, an adventure planned or even a weekend getaway to look forward to. I suspect you're in the same boat. So how do we satisfy our wanderlust during a lockdown?
Let me go back a little. It has been quite a while since I posted on my blog. I have been busy and, if I'm honest, a little lazy. In that time though, I did relocate from the UK to the USA. Boston, Massachusetts to be precise. It makes the lockdown all that more bitter. I was looking forward to using the city as a base for exploring New England, The United States and indeed The Americas! Unfortunately, after just six weeks here, the world was thrust into a global pandemic.
While I'm fortunate to still have a job, I have felt trapped in my apartment, work dominating my days and little escape from the routine. Plans have been cancelled or put on hold and the promise of any travel adventures a distant hope.
In an attempt to still escape my apartment, I have found a few things to help satisfy my wanderlust. Here are a few:
Reading
This is an obvious one, you're here right? There are lots of ways to escape with a book, blog or magazine. When I was in the UK I loved The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. A great monthly magazine with great photography. You can find them on twitter here: @ST_TravelMag. For those that like adventures that are a little higher altitude, the blogs at 360 Expeditions are great (https://www.360-expeditions.com/360-news/). I would add that @RolfeOostra360 is worth a follow on Facebook too! Finally, I recently read "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. This is a great book for those who love the great outdoors and an interest in US travel.
Having a Local Adventure
While maintaining local rules and safe distancing, you can still be a local tourist. Sure, you're probably not eating in restaurants or visiting museums but that doesn't mean there's not some local exploring to do, wherever you are! It could be a walk in the countryside, along a river or a visit to a part of the city you have never been. Here in Boston I have been visiting the local beach, harbour and walked the Freedom Trail, Boston's historical walking tour. Not only are these things free, they can help keep you fit and give you a different perspective on where you live. While I'm new to Boston, I was surprised to hear that many of my colleagues who have lived here for year's have never walked the Freedom Trail from end to end!
Escape into Virtual Reality
Ok, this is probably a bit out there but hear me out! I love gadgets and recently got a VR Headset. The experiences are great and I've been really impressed. With lockdown I have used it for mostly for gaming. One of my favourite apps though is Google Earth VR (https://arvr.google.com/earth/). You can literally travel anywhere in the world in an instance. I have 'stood' on Everest and minutes later 'walked' through Rome. While it would never replace the real thing, it is great fun and no need for airport security or a face mask! If you don't have a VR headset though, Google Earth is still a great tool and fantastic for it's 3D view of the world.
I look forward to planning future trips and hope the tourism industry can quickly bounce back. In the meantime, I'll keep dreaming of the next adventure.
Let me go back a little. It has been quite a while since I posted on my blog. I have been busy and, if I'm honest, a little lazy. In that time though, I did relocate from the UK to the USA. Boston, Massachusetts to be precise. It makes the lockdown all that more bitter. I was looking forward to using the city as a base for exploring New England, The United States and indeed The Americas! Unfortunately, after just six weeks here, the world was thrust into a global pandemic.
While I'm fortunate to still have a job, I have felt trapped in my apartment, work dominating my days and little escape from the routine. Plans have been cancelled or put on hold and the promise of any travel adventures a distant hope.
In an attempt to still escape my apartment, I have found a few things to help satisfy my wanderlust. Here are a few:
Reading
This is an obvious one, you're here right? There are lots of ways to escape with a book, blog or magazine. When I was in the UK I loved The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. A great monthly magazine with great photography. You can find them on twitter here: @ST_TravelMag. For those that like adventures that are a little higher altitude, the blogs at 360 Expeditions are great (https://www.360-expeditions.com/360-news/). I would add that @RolfeOostra360 is worth a follow on Facebook too! Finally, I recently read "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. This is a great book for those who love the great outdoors and an interest in US travel.
Having a Local Adventure
While maintaining local rules and safe distancing, you can still be a local tourist. Sure, you're probably not eating in restaurants or visiting museums but that doesn't mean there's not some local exploring to do, wherever you are! It could be a walk in the countryside, along a river or a visit to a part of the city you have never been. Here in Boston I have been visiting the local beach, harbour and walked the Freedom Trail, Boston's historical walking tour. Not only are these things free, they can help keep you fit and give you a different perspective on where you live. While I'm new to Boston, I was surprised to hear that many of my colleagues who have lived here for year's have never walked the Freedom Trail from end to end!
Escape into Virtual Reality
Ok, this is probably a bit out there but hear me out! I love gadgets and recently got a VR Headset. The experiences are great and I've been really impressed. With lockdown I have used it for mostly for gaming. One of my favourite apps though is Google Earth VR (https://arvr.google.com/earth/). You can literally travel anywhere in the world in an instance. I have 'stood' on Everest and minutes later 'walked' through Rome. While it would never replace the real thing, it is great fun and no need for airport security or a face mask! If you don't have a VR headset though, Google Earth is still a great tool and fantastic for it's 3D view of the world.
I look forward to planning future trips and hope the tourism industry can quickly bounce back. In the meantime, I'll keep dreaming of the next adventure.