We've felt pretty safe here in Florida; we are able to do most things outside thanks to the weather. But it's not looking good in general. It would be great to be back in Sweden or the UK right now, for many reasons!
However, there are a lot of things to think about, not least the growing number of cases here in the US. Everyone is worried about this virus, and the news is full of terrible stories both here and in Sweden. And, if we were to travel, we would essentially be using a bit of a loophole, by using both passports.
In the end, we decided not to risk it. We don't want to be those people stretching safety rules and common sense just so we can enjoy our little island.
It's terribly disappointing but it's also the right decision.
Since air travel is pretty much shut down these days (and of uncertain safety as well), we decided to take a real road trip for the first time in our 33 years of marriage. We've been gone for almost three weeks, putting 3000 miles on our car, visiting our friends and family in Michigan and Minnesota.
On the way home, we took a detour to Clear Lake, Iowa, home to the Surf Ballroom, the venue of Buddy Holly's last concert. Just outside of the city is a small memorial at the site of his tragic plane crash.
Surprisingly, the Surf was open and we were able to visit. It's wonderfully preserved, and still an active venue for artists all over the world. I was able to go up on the stage and stand where Buddy stood in his last hours. It was quite the experience.
I've been watching statistics on Covid closely, trying to decide if we should try to go to Sweden this summer. Although travel is banned for US citizens, we could use our UK citizenship to fly to London and then on to Sweden as EU citizens. Sadly this is the last year we could do that, as Brexit takes away our EU membership at the end of the year.
Right now, Sweden and the US are pretty similar in Covid cases. It's interesting that the case rates are similar since Sweden appears to have far fewer restrictions than many parts of the USA.
We will keep a close eye on it over the coming weeks. Covid aside, I'm not looking forward to a hot Florida summer! I'd rather be in temperate Aspö. (Plus I'm itching to try out the new internet!!!)
Good news from Annika and Olle, the internet fiber has been installed in our house at last. The junction box is in our bedroom so all I need to do is find an internet provider and hook up my wi-fi.
There's a big range of internet providers available. All of them are faster and cheaper than what I have in the USA.
I can't wait!
Things have moved fast since my last post.
The Coronavirus has taken hold in the USA, and our governor has declared a health emergency. Most businesses and indoor activities have been stopped.
The President has also banned travel from Europe to the US, which of course impacts our ability to go back to Sweden this summer.
We are dual citizens, so I assume we could fly from the US to London, and then onto Stockholm as UK/EU citizens.
We will keep updated on the rules, and how the US, the UK, and Sweden are faring. For now, we will stay safe at home. Scary stuff.
It’s been an engaging couple of months! We had a wonderful Christmas. Marcia and Rutger joined us and Grant for the Christmas holidays. It was nice to enjoy a warm, palm-tree holiday for a change.
