[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by Turkish Pickle

I think it's the opposite - corporations I feel like have been waiting for the administration to change to reduce/remove tariffs and other economic sanctions. This'll lower their bottom line greatly so their profits will increase etc, I see the market in an upward trend to be honest.

Well basing my prediction off how the economy and corporations reacted to obama/biden admin 2nd term as we were out of the recession vs trump/pence i do not see that happening. Businesses, stock market and economy were thriving under trump until covid hit. Jobs that pay well were abundant meanwhile just a few years prior it was a struggle to find a job better than being a starbucks barista

[5.M0NSTER]

Unfortunately I have to concur with Alfisti

I'm a US Ex-Pat currently living in Germany. We just entered another lock down, this one scheduled for 4 weeks. The goal of this one is to push the numbers down and free up ICU spaces. Germany was reposting only 25% capacity left. The hope is this allows people to have a resemblance of Christmas. Though all Christmas markets have been canceled already.

If people get together over the Holidays, this means we will likely have another spike in January, and similar measures again. Let's hope the vaccine comes end of Q1. Otherwise I would not expect a good 2021 for travel.

We also had big plans for this year. We were set to spend 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal, and 1 week in Greece. We also planned a long weekend in Amsterdam. All of this was canceled.

We did a week at a beach resort in Scan Vincenzo, Tuscany at the end of September. And earlier traveled around Germany a lot for day trips. We were lucky to be able to travel at all. Let's hope next year improves, but I think the availability of a vaccine will be the main factor.

Here are some photos.

[BMW F22]

^ great pictures! I have a similar picture of Neuschwanstein taken from Mary’s Bridge a few years back on an Oktoberfest trip.

Something about this whole thing doesn’t feel right. I know people that have been very careful and caught it; then there are folks whom haven’t been careful and didn’t get it. Countries around the world have gone into lockdowns and the numbers are increasing. Doesn’t make sense. IMO, at some point we need to live our lives and follow safety protocols. I get the fear and all that but I don’t have the patience to lockdown for 1-3 years inside my house and not go anywhere or do anything. It’s funny to see friends and colleagues whom I have said that to months ago starting to live their lives even though a few months back they were adamant about hunkering down until 2022.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Turkish Pickle

I think it's the opposite - corporations I feel like have been waiting for the administration to change to reduce/remove tariffs and other economic sanctions. This'll lower their bottom line greatly so their profits will increase etc, I see the market in an upward trend to be honest.

Democrats are pro-protectionist so I do not agree with that assessment. But we are drifting further into a political discussion.

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

This time last year we were in Japan. It's such a great country to visit. I've been to Tokyo twice. It's a cool city to see but I really prefer Kyoto & the smaller areas. We went to Mt Fuji this time and the weather was gorgeous so we had amazing views.

Agreed, and great picture of Fuji-san. I lived in Japan for a year soon after finishing undergrad in 2005/6, and I climbed that mountain. Sunrise at 12300ft after climbing all night was an amazing moment I will never forget. Also eating sushi at 110 story of a Tokyo skyscraper, and looking down at a plane approaching to land at Haneda.

Originally Posted by BMW F22

^ great pictures! I have a similar picture of Neuschwanstein taken from Mary’s Bridge a few years back on an Oktoberfest trip.

Lots of cool places in EU to check out for sure. Octoberfest is an awesome experience, so really cool you got to be a part of it.

I don't have the answers, and can't speak on what the right course of action is. I think lots is still unknown about covid, and the factors, and everyone is guessing. Germans are responding to the health system being at 75% capacity the only way they know how I guess.

I really do hope that at least for part of 2021 we are at liberty to travel and explore.

For me the clock is ticking, as I am set to re-patriate back to the US next summer.

[PoorLurker]

i can always respect a person who will drive 3 hours just to eat.

Will be fun when the dust "of life" settles and I can travel again.

[euro*]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

Unfortunately I have to concur with Alfisti

I'm a US Ex-Pat currently living in Germany. We just entered another lock down, this one scheduled for 4 weeks. The goal of this one is to push the numbers down and free up ICU spaces. Germany was reposting only 25% capacity left. The hope is this allows people to have a resemblance of Christmas. Though all Christmas markets have been canceled already.

If people get together over the Holidays, this means we will likely have another spike in January, and similar measures again. Let's hope the vaccine comes end of Q1. Otherwise I would not expect a good 2021 for travel.

We also had big plans for this year. We were set to spend 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal, and 1 week in Greece. We also planned a long weekend in Amsterdam. All of this was canceled.

We did a week at a beach resort in Scan Vincenzo, Tuscany at the end of September. And earlier traveled around Germany a lot for day trips. We were lucky to be able to travel at all. Let's hope next year improves, but I think the availability of a vaccine will be the main factor.

Here are some photos.

Damn, i miss travelling and miss Neuschwanstein castle, what a great place

[UncleWede]

Stock market jumped, especially in airlines, with the announcement of a vaccine that is 90%. Smart people are still saying Q2-2021 before travel actually rebounds, depending on willingness to take said vaccine. Will you have to show proof of injection to get on a plane?

[EdM5]

I was planning to attend the biannual world congress for my business, this year in LA. The plan was to bring the family afterwards and enjoy a 2 weeks west coast trip.

So sad it never happened. 2021 here we come.

- Dutch guy loving the USA

[NEfan508]

@UncleWede

i was hoping for a 50% vaccine, anything close to 90% will put this nightmare behind us this time next year

Hand shakes again
Regina's pizza with Mrs Miller (best on site)
Baseball game @ Fenway
Hugging my parents

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by NEfan508

was hoping for a 50% vaccine, anything close to 90% will put this nightmare behind us this time next year

IF people will take it. And IF the company can get it to market around the globe.

Personally, I'm planning to be a late adopter.

And truly amazing that 2 days after a declaration of a winner

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

IF people will take it. And IF the company can get it to market around the globe.

Personally, I'm planning to be a late adopter.

And truly amazing that 2 days after a declaration of a winner

Right? Too much of a coincidence...?

[NEfan508]

@UncleWede

as soon as Biff Tannen lost we get the great news on the progress, I'm sure it's just coincidence 😐

Notes moderators ya I'm from Blue Mass but I actually like potus, not for political reasons (substance) just his witty names he gives his challengers, #1 of all time is Pocahontas aka senator Elizabeth A. Warren MA

[Kolyan2k]

My biggest traveling concern is not covid, its the fact that they require masks on the plane and my 2.5 year old doesn't want to wear one obviously. Not sure if that will change when he is 3. He is picky about what clothes he wears, you can forget about mask. I heard airlines kicking out families from planes if kids can't keep mask on ALL the time

Buddy of mine invited me to travel to Mexico in December with his family, 1.5 year old kid. And already booked French Apls for March

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

My biggest traveling concern is not covid, its the fact that they require masks on the plane and my 2.5 year old doesn't want to wear one obviously. Not sure if that will change when he is 3. He is picky about what clothes he wears, you can forget about mask. I heard airlines kicking out families from planes if kids can't keep mask on ALL the time

Buddy of mine invited me to travel to Mexico in December with his family, 1.5 year old kid. And already booked French Apls for March

Kids under certain age don’t have to wear masks (I think 3 or 5). Agree that it’s a pain having to wear one for long flights (main reason why I went to Cabo instead of Turkey and Croatia).

[hooligan_G01]

Probably not until fall at the earliest, right? If a vaccine isn't available until summer '21, it's going to take a little while for a meaningful number of people to get vaccinated.

[Humdizzle]

if the vaccine is truly 90% effective against covid (and all its possible mutated strains) then i'd imagine travel will open up. But its not going to be until the mass majority get vaccinated and we see daily infection rates come down to a few hundred a day.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Kids under certain age don’t have to wear masks (I think 3 or 5). Agree that it’s a pain having to wear one for long flights (main reason why I went to Cabo instead of Turkey and Croatia).

That age is 2. Over 2 mask is required. Over 5 they require masks outside in MA

Did airlines require mask on the fright to Cabo?

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

That age is 2. Over 2 mask is required. Over 5 they require masks outside in MA

Did airlines require mask on the fright to Cabo?

Of course! We did hear 3 years old on the flight though so it contradicted what I thought was 2. I might have heard 5 somewhere else as well.

The flight from SFO to Cabo was organized:boarding and deboarding by rows. The flight back was interesting. They said will board 5 rows at a time. Then they said rows 1-8. And then 10-20, skipping 9. Lol after that it was 21-31. I was like wtf...had an empty seat between us to Cabo but was packed on the way back. This was on United. I think next time I’ll book Alaska because they’re still blocking seats.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Of course! We did hear 3 years old on the flight though so it contradicted what I thought was 2. I might have heard 5 somewhere else as well.

The flight from SFO to Cabo was organized:boarding and deboarding by rows. The flight back was interesting. They said will board 5 rows at a time. Then they said rows 1-8. And then 10-20, skipping 9. Lol after that it was 21-31. I was like wtf...had an empty seat between us to Cabo but was packed on the way back. This was on United. I think next time I’ll book Alaska because they’re still blocking seats.

I wonder when will mask requirements stop for good or will keep pushing them up until the last covid case

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I wonder when will mask requirements stop for good or will keep pushing them up until the last covid case

I would guestimate middle of next year if the results are good and we can pump out vaccines.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I wonder when will mask requirements stop for good or will keep pushing them up until the last covid case

Well, we have started hearing about a national mask mandate so I expect them to expand before they contract. No idea when contraction will start, but presumably sometime after the majority of high-risk people are vaccinated.