Flying During a Pandemic (with a cello!)

Most important update first: I have arrived safely in Athens, Greece! I just slept for 12 hours in my new bed in my new apartment. I am trying so hard to be smart and beat out the jet lag – let’s see how I do!

Now, for anyone who wants to read further, here’s how things went!

I was lucky enough to have had a great group of people seeing me off at the airport when I left on September 3rd. We all had decided that we should leave that morning to prepare for the late-afternoon flight.

The drive down from Sheboygan to Chicago O’Hare was great! I stopped to see one of my best friends for a final farewell, and we arrived at the airport quite early.

Saying goodbye to my family was pretty difficult. I am such a family-oriented person! Things like this get tough, but we all made it through.

I brought with me in total:
✈️ 1 cello (carefully and lovingly packed)
✈️ 2 large checked suitcases
✈️ 1 carry-on suitcase
✈️ 2 jackets worn on the planes
✈️ 1 fanny pack
✈️ and ONE HAPPY CAMPER!

After saying one last goodbye, I loaded up all of the things listed above and started walking into the airport entrance. I thought to myself, ‘here goes nothing!‘.

My principal recommended that I double-mask up. So I did. I wore a paper mask along with a fabric mask over the top; and I used hand sanitizer often as well. DOUBLE-MASKS FOR THE WIN!

I went up to the counter of a VERY empty airport and started going through the normal procedures that you must go through when one flies. We had a conversation about the cello and made sure it got a window seat on both flights like planned. YES (I know what you’re probably thinking) – cellos need to ride inside the airplane next to their human, it keeps them safe!

There was a small discrepancy given the fact that I did not have proof of a negative COVID test with me (despite what I was told about the Greek requirements). I remained patient and calm, and after waiting for about 45 minutes, someone else came and helped me out. It all worked out just fine, and I’m glad I got there so early due to this wait time!

I made it through security with NO PROBLEMS (even with the cello!). Super easy. Found my gate and waited around until it was time to board. After a bit, it was time to get going!

NO TURNING BACK NOW!

The first flight from Chicago to Copenhagen was great! It might have been one of the best flights I’ve been on in a while. My favorite part was definitely one of the flight attendants. She was so cute and would always ask about my cello:
“Does he want coffee or tea?”
“How did he sleep?”
“Wow, he is so quiet and doesn’t make any trouble!”
It was really fun to be silly on the flight.

After 8 & 1/2 hours, we safely landed in Copenhagen. From walking off the plane to finding the next gate took be a total of about 40 minutes (it was a long walk to get there!). I’m so glad my layover was long enough to get there in time. Shortly after confirming with the desk that my cello and I were both getting on board… it was time to walk out to the plane!

My second and final flight was from Copenhagen to Athens. I strapped my cello in and tried to get some more rest – by this point I was riding the struggle bus!

As soon as the plan landed in Athens I felt a bit emotional. THIS was going to be my home for the next foreseeable future! CRAZY!!! It was exciting yet nerve-wracking all in one.

My cello and I got off the plane and began to make our way to get our luggage. Yay for having all of my bags make it there!

As per protocol, I had to get a COVID-19 test before leaving the airport. Two days before my initial flight left from Chicago I filled out and submitted a form documenting when I will be arriving in Greece. At the Greek airport, I pulled up that QR code they had issued me and got swabbed (mouth). They informed me that I must wait 24 hours to get a result emailed back. Although, the school nurse let me know that no news is good news (that you will only get an email response back if you test positive for the virus). As I am writing this, I got swabbed about 22 hours ago, and still no word, I think I’m in the clear!

Following the test, I was welcome and met by a driver from my school who helped me load my bags into the bus and helped me find my way. We stopped by the school very quickly (I didn’t leave the bus) and he picked up the keys to my apartment. Then, he drove me to the apartment; it was a bit of a drive from school! I’m anxious to get to know the best way for my daily commute on the metro soon!

My apartment is absolutely beautiful! I will be so comfortable. Literally everything in it (everything) is from Ikea! I have one roommate, and he arrived from the US about half a month ago. We do plan to go out and purchase additional things we need when it is safe for me to leave.

Overall, I am so thankful that my trip here went so smoothly. I felt so safe the entire time, and I am glad I also took many precautions to stay COVID free. I am so eager to begin exploring my wonderful neighborhood and check out the school once it is safe for me to do so!

Thanks for reading!

❤️
~Anna