Today was suppose to be the day when my Mom, my sister and I take a flight from the Philippines to go on our 9-day vacation in Japan. But because of current global health crisis, this plan was put on hold.
This Japan trip is suppose to be a special one. First, it will be the first time that it will be just the three of us travelling. We did went to Hongkong and Macau in 2017 but it was with my husband and kids. And on that, I was more of a mom. This trip could have been an ultimate all-girl mother and daughters bonding.
Second, this trip is my sister and I’s way of granting my mom’s wish of experiencing Cherry Blossoms. We wish to elevate the experience by going there before she celebrates a milestone birthday.
We had been putting together this trip for a year. My sister is working in Abu Dhabi, while me and my mom are here in Manila, miles apart and both with jobs. Thank heavens for technology; messenger, emails, online bookings, online travel planners, and more.. planning together is much easier. We have everything sorted out. We are so excited to give Mom the best 9-days of her life.
But then COVID-19 happened. When it is becoming a global concern, my sister and I were already weighing on the implications if we decided to pursue the trip. We were worried that Mom might be disappointed, but eventually it was her who said that it will be better to postpone her first Cherry Blossom experience. For some it might be disappointing, but I was relieved. Regret was not something that ever crossed my mind. We just could not risk our health, especially my mom’s, for 9-day trip, which we knew will be full of uncertainty. As it was that time, there were already annoucements of closure of some major tourist attrations, and quarantine procedures for those flying in and out of the country. Pursuing with our plans will not only affect us, but also the family that I will be coming home to.
With the current situation now, I knew that we made the right decision, though that is not necessarily something to be happy about. The world is in distress. Everybody is scared.
Now, I am looking at these photos from my trip to Japan a couple of years back and wonder how soon we can make all our travel plans happen. I am looking forward to it, not only for the chance to see Japan again, but more importantly, for that moment when we can say that the worst of this pandemic is over. I am looking forward to that day that when we can go out of our homes again, be with family and friends, see the world, report to our jobs, engage with other people, without fear. I also hope that when we reach that point, we are not just back to normal, but rather be in a new way of life bearing with us the lessons learned from this pandemic. This is too big of crisis to be just forgotten.