Planning fatigue

 Back in the days, I would love to put together itineraries. Sometimes itinerary planning was just for fun, where I would research plane schedules and train schedules, hotels, etc to get an idea of what a trip would be like. In June, I am planning a round the world trip, and unfortunately it has been plagued with issues here and there. Plane schedules would change, and you end up canceling them because the schedule no longer suited your itinerary. Moreover, I have learned that if you order the tickets through certain travel agencies, they will want to charge you money for getting a refund for you. It has been so much hassle that I almost am tempted to just stay home altogether and forego with my RTW trip. 

Contributing to the confusion are "current" information for PCR tests for COVID. A majority of the countries on my RTW itinerary has done away with PCR requirements, maintaining only that travelers must be fully vaccinated to enter the country. The United States has relaxed their mask rules in public transportation including airports and airplanes. However, the United States has not relaxed its PCR testing requirements for entry into the United States. This is infurating. This requirements applies even to American citizens returning home from abroad.

I have been trying to find a place to get PCR test in Egypt, the final country on my itinerary before returning to the US. It has been difficult, mostly because many websites are in Arabic, and I am unable to read Arabic. You would think that for tourist PCR tests, they would furnish the info at least in English. I am still struggling on finding the info for the PCR test in Cairo or Luxor. 

Travel planning used to be so easy, and everything usually went well. Now it feels as though we are entering a time where everything gets changed and lack of information for things required for the trip. On the Egyptian embassy website, it states you need to have visa for visiting Egypt. Nowhere do you see that Americans can receive a visa upon arrival at Cairo airport. It has made me start to doubt whether if I need to send my passport to the Egyptian embassy or just wait until I arrive at Cairo airport.

Not being able to know the answers or obtain clear information has been making this travel planning exhausting. In comparison, my trip in Spain last year (August 2021) was without any issues and I had a great time in Spain. It seems that the travel business is going through a chaotic time trying to get back to pre-COVID levels. 

Wherever you are, I hope you are having hassle-free travels around the world. Please feel free to share any tips you may have for traveling in post-COVID world. Happy Wanderings!