TRAVELLING DURING PANDEMIC

TRAVELLING DURING THE PANDEMIC //

GAVIN RENNICK

AS THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

ROLLED IN that Northern Ireland was shutting down and the economy was drawing to a halt.

With a personal love and dedication to fitness with the

re-closure of leisure and gym facilities, I took it upon myself to break the chain and escape the Northern Ireland lockdown. Following guidelines and travel advice I took myself for my PCR test, booked a flight - boarded the plane to the Canary Islands.

Deep down knowing that trying to survive a lockdown without any form of the fitness facility and lack of fitness equipment available for purchase, travelling via the open travel corridor was the perfect "get out of jail free card" for me, with Northern Ireland being the " jail" I needed to escape. Deciding to travel was the right option for me and boy was I glad! I travelled from Belfast to the canaries on a 4-hour journey to the sun, along with the added extras of restaurants, pubs and fitness facilities opened for the general public, and let me tell you after the year I had I needed out!!!

Onboard the flight there was a noticeable lack of passengers with a heightened presence of increased hygiene from all crew onboard. Of course, you were allowed to eat and drink on board the flight but when not eating or drinking your mask had to be on at all times. The use of the toilet during the flight was prohibited however you were asked to try and remain in your seat for the duration of the journey. My feelings when travelling reminded me of how lucky I was to be able to just get up and go to leave Belfast behind for some time I did feel like the cat that got the

cream, thoughts of those back in Belfast stuck and unable to travel gave me the drive to throw caution to the wind and "Eat - Pray - Love" the shit out of this opportunity and live every moment to the fullest.

Travelling solo I do have to admit that the senses are heightened, and the awareness of personal security and safety come to the forefront. Flashes of "what the hell am I doing travelling during a pandemic" flash around my mind. With a calming positive mental attitude, I realised that pandemic or not my reason for travel was for mental health and clarity. And a personal journey I needed to embark upon.

I don't know about you but living in lockdown had a crushing effect on my confidence with every choice being seconded guessed. This confidence dip effect was directly attached to a feeling of not knowing how to navigate my way through the blur of the pandemic that was happening around me, my family and my peers…

On arrival to Gran Canaria it was noticeable that tourism had been hit also many shops and retail outlets were closed. The landscape as I looked around was barren, the noticeable lack of people also added to the Erie new world that would normally be filled with hustle and bustle was it all gone? And for how long? Surely the island won't survive if there are no tourists… Throughout my visit to the Island, I 100% absorbed the beautiful scenery and spectacular views that were on offer.

Usually, a trip to Gran Canaria would consist of late nights, drinking round the clock and not seeing the daylight because you would be in your bed dying half of the day. Times had certainly changed, of course there is drinking and eating out at a small selection of restaurants that were open, as long as you obeyed the rules and the curfew.

Yes, there was a curfew! And if I'm completely honest I loved it. Most nights I was in bed by 11pm or if not 11pm shortly after and sleeping like a baby. The curfew did give you the chance to have a holiday that wasn't fuelled by alcohol. My escape to the sun was now being controlled by a curfew and I loved it. It was structured, it gave me a guide to plan my day and ensured that I wasn't wasting my time, the curfew made me explore. However, there was some MAD nights...and a special thanks to Mardi Gras Bar and the team there...they are utterly amazing guys and a pleasure to be around. And to the team at Cheyenne's & Divinity, 2 great spots if you are planning a trip to the GC.

On the whole I had such an amazing experience and met friends for life…

From witnessing the natural beauty of the dunes to ariel yoga there is so much more this island has to offer, you just have to go looking for it.

So as the shackles of lockdown lift here in Northern Ireland my advice is to go for it. Do something that you've never really allowed yourself to do, allow yourself to explore you'll not regret it.

Big thanks to all on my journey

The Viv's, The Mardi Gras Team, Cheyenne's & Divinity Team, Lewis, Sean, Conor, James and Laurence