- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
It's great that things appear to be opening up, and more people are now able to access the Camino.
And I'm sorry to post this, by all means delete it Mods if you think it out of place.
Maybe I'm just feeling a bit despondent and needing to vent?
My apologies. It's been one of those weeks, and it's only Monday!
For those of us in far flung places like Australia, not only do we need our own International borders to re-open (maybe in 2022), but we need the countries that we transit through to be safe. Many of our Camino flights transit through places like Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai and so on.
I think this highlights what a global problem we are dealing with and what a long term issue it's likely to be.
Three things this week have added to my pessimism. Sorry.
On Thursday this week I'm chairing a LinkedIn live session with 2 global experts on Vaccine Distribution. One is head of Healthcare Logistics at the World Economic Forum, the other teaches at Harvard and wrote recently in the New York Times about the Inequity of Covid Vaccine Distribution globally. I've spoken to both of them this week already, and it was not exactly uplifting. But a message that needs to be shared.
Then today, Pat's family in Bangkok was turned away from a Vaccine appointment along with hundreds of others. Because quite simply, the vaccines had run out. They have no idea when their next appointment will be, if at all. They cannot risk making a new appointment, because they may lose the original one. All available vaccines appear to have been allocated. As an aside, if anyone knows of less distant countries that are open for Vaccine tourists, like the USAand Canada are, please let me know.
And then in the Philippines support office of my business, we have 6 staff (of 20+) who again have had to 'move in' to the office. Last year they spent 3 months living above the office. This is due to local Covid related restrictions on movement and the fact they can't work from home due to a range of tech and family issues. We have rented very basic accommodation above the office for them, a bit like an Albergue! And they have meals delivered. They are in good spirits thankfully and writing songs. Gotta love em. And I do.
(If i could buy vaccines for all of them and their families, I would do it tomorrow. But as in many countries, it's illegal. There is a strict prioritisation and rationing, which is only fair)
Why do I feel the need to post this? I'm wondering myself perhaps.
Perhaps it's just to share, views from other parts of the World.
So that whilst you are 'locked down' or unable to travel, or having frustrations with your flight bookings, or not getting responses from your emails to book Albergues or worried about if you'll get a ticket refund in case of cancellation.....
There are always others worse off. It's what the Camino teaches us. Gratitude.
If you can go on Camino, please do. I wish you well. I would too if I could.
But please say a few prayers along the way and in Santiago, for those who just want a vaccine. May they get one soon. This year hopefully.
P.S. Seriously, if you know anywhere I can fly my family to, not too far from Thailand, to get Covid vaccines, please DM me.
We may need look at the US (if they can get a Visa):
And Yes, this is happening, I know people who have done it already.
And I'm sorry to post this, by all means delete it Mods if you think it out of place.
Maybe I'm just feeling a bit despondent and needing to vent?
My apologies. It's been one of those weeks, and it's only Monday!
For those of us in far flung places like Australia, not only do we need our own International borders to re-open (maybe in 2022), but we need the countries that we transit through to be safe. Many of our Camino flights transit through places like Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai and so on.
I think this highlights what a global problem we are dealing with and what a long term issue it's likely to be.
Three things this week have added to my pessimism. Sorry.
On Thursday this week I'm chairing a LinkedIn live session with 2 global experts on Vaccine Distribution. One is head of Healthcare Logistics at the World Economic Forum, the other teaches at Harvard and wrote recently in the New York Times about the Inequity of Covid Vaccine Distribution globally. I've spoken to both of them this week already, and it was not exactly uplifting. But a message that needs to be shared.
Then today, Pat's family in Bangkok was turned away from a Vaccine appointment along with hundreds of others. Because quite simply, the vaccines had run out. They have no idea when their next appointment will be, if at all. They cannot risk making a new appointment, because they may lose the original one. All available vaccines appear to have been allocated. As an aside, if anyone knows of less distant countries that are open for Vaccine tourists, like the USA
And then in the Philippines support office of my business, we have 6 staff (of 20+) who again have had to 'move in' to the office. Last year they spent 3 months living above the office. This is due to local Covid related restrictions on movement and the fact they can't work from home due to a range of tech and family issues. We have rented very basic accommodation above the office for them, a bit like an Albergue! And they have meals delivered. They are in good spirits thankfully and writing songs. Gotta love em. And I do.
(If i could buy vaccines for all of them and their families, I would do it tomorrow. But as in many countries, it's illegal. There is a strict prioritisation and rationing, which is only fair)
Why do I feel the need to post this? I'm wondering myself perhaps.
Perhaps it's just to share, views from other parts of the World.
So that whilst you are 'locked down' or unable to travel, or having frustrations with your flight bookings, or not getting responses from your emails to book Albergues or worried about if you'll get a ticket refund in case of cancellation.....
There are always others worse off. It's what the Camino teaches us. Gratitude.
If you can go on Camino, please do. I wish you well. I would too if I could.
But please say a few prayers along the way and in Santiago, for those who just want a vaccine. May they get one soon. This year hopefully.
P.S. Seriously, if you know anywhere I can fly my family to, not too far from Thailand, to get Covid vaccines, please DM me.
We may need look at the US (if they can get a Visa):
And Yes, this is happening, I know people who have done it already.
This is what some people will do for a shot of Pfizer
The easy pharmacy jab with a fun-filled US holiday is a far cry from the shambolic vaccination program most Thai people have been trying to register for.
www.abc.net.au
Last edited: