Fleeing Turkey’s Covid lockdowns and a hotel fire, Nomadic Backpacker is free again. But is he at the end of the road?
Published on December 6, 2020
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2020 has been one helluva year.
After having to isolate in Skopje, I headed for Turkey, simply because Turkey was ‘open for business.’ This is part of the #NewNormal. You go where you can, not always where you would like to.
But then, not surprisingly, things went tits up there too.
Something very concerning was published:
They blamed the rise in cases on the people for not observing the rules set in place. Yet it’s OK for them to not report the cases, keep the borders open, and the tourists, desperate to go somewhere, keep on coming as they think Turkey is ‘safe.’ Hurrah, everyone is struggling but Turkey somehow manages to contain it. Oh, the lies and cover-ups. Surely someone could be held accountable?
So now everyone knows Turkey is not the safe haven everyone thought it was.
First, they reintroduced a partial curfew: 8 pm Friday until 10 am Saturday, 8 pm Saturday until 10 am Sunday and from 8 pm Sunday. Monday morning everything was back to normal. Restaurants switched to takeout only.
Nightly curfews have little to no impact on my life but having limited options for getting a hot meal because the hostel didn’t have a kitche, kinda sucked, more so as the temperatures started to drop.
I knew what was coming. They wouldn’t stop at a partial curfew. I’d decided that it was time to get out. I booked a flight to Mexico, possibly the last country left that’s still open.
And then comes a new announcement quite soon after the first one:
Weekend lockdown across Turkey from Friday evening to Monday morning. And curfew every night during the week, from 9 pm until 5 am. Not fun for anyone.
I timed that one right.
Covid restrictions aside, I enjoyed my time in Turkey, but there was another drama when I was in Şanlıurfa not related to the pandemic.
I returned to my hotel after the days outing to find the police outside on the street. My first thoughts were, ‘A Covid outbreak.’
Someone asked me, “what is your business here?”
“I am a guest at this hotel.”
I looked up. Jeez.
There had been an electrical fault on the 2nd floor. My room on the 3rd floor was undamaged but everything I had left on the bed/floor was covered in stinking black dust.
2020 doesn’t want to let up. I am running out of motivation to carry on. If I had a safe place to go back to I would. I’m very tired (as is everyone) now.
The fear of curfews and lockdowns, getting Trevor’ed (stuck) again, being caught out by the Covid police, getting a call to say I must report to the authorities after the trace and track system flags me. Strangely, getting sick worries me less than being presented with the bill after being forced to isolate in a private medical facility.
The vaccine can’t come soon enough!
Stop press. Nomadic Backpacker arrives in Mexico City. Safer? Probably not, but at least it’s warmer.
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About the Author: Trevor Warman
World Traveller – Global Nomad. Former electronic technician, racing cyclist, barman, mountain runner and mailman. Now perpetual vagabond. Blogs at Nomadic Backpacker. Trevor Warman has written 10 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.
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Trevor Warman is currently in: CDMX Mexico
12 comments… add one
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December 6, 2020, 11:05 pm
LinkHa ha – you have had a lot of drama hey! Sure your luck will change in Mexico – and sunshine does seem to make everything better!
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December 7, 2020, 4:55 am
LinkSometimes I feel like i am at the end of my tether.. but i should be ok here.
Where could i run to from here?Dramas make for more stories. Pity im not a journalist.
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December 7, 2020, 10:27 am
LinkTrevor,
That’s pretty crazy. The hits just keep coming, right?
Okay, a few questions? Which airline did you use? Was the price reasonable? Direct or stops? And did you get tested as soon as you deplaned?
I’ll have to leave China in a couple months, so I may head to Mexico, too.
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Link
Yo Jeffery
I flew TURKISH direct. IST to MEX CITY
Was 446£ on expedia. I think think this is a good price.14 hrs. Hard core. No SD as The plane was packed. 1 drunk Russkie woulnt wear a mask. We were that close to not taking off and her being ejected!
A friend flew Barcelona Toronto Cancun for a bit less BUT 14 hrs in TORONTO airport.
You need onward flight. I booked MEX to Guetemala one way for 59£ for the cheapest date i could find. 2 months later. I will just ditch the ticket. Most likely you will need hotel reservation and onward flight to check in and on arrival. Print outs too.
I was asked to provide these in IST but by the time i returned to check in another guy just processed me.
On arrival many were being quizzed for tickets etc. I went straight through.
I didnt need to test!!
Lots of sanitzer here and everyone wears a mask. A few face shields too. Strict control on directional flow on pedestrian streets.. sanitizing at every block. Optional QR tracking to go into some shops. Quite hard core precautions yet the METRO can be bursting at the seems.
Temperature checkers at bus terminal and some metro stations and in bigger stores. Yet the smaller cheaper (poorer) places are restriction free.
Am in Mexico City now. Heading to the coast where i will hole up til whenever. Ill need a drinking partner. So come over…. i use Twitter for everyday stuff and my blog will always have a latest post.:)))
@wade @jack are you returning anytime soon?
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Link
Trevor,
Thanks for the detailed reply. I can use all of that info.
Yeah, that proof of an onward flight is the bane of VJ travelers. I’m rarely returning to where I just left, and I’m usually not sure where I’m headed next. Like you, I just pick the cheapest flight to the next closest country.
I spent a few weeks hanging around Oaxaca City and really liked it. Here’s a blog of an American living just on the outskirts there.
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Link
Hi Jeffery i click on the link. Will read some stories ;))
Glad my info helped…
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Link
On my own blog i wrote a rather powerful post about how this covid shit is affecting my little world.
https://www.nomadicbackpacker.com/starting-to-lose-my-grip.html
Its not a representation of how i feel everyday. Indeed, some days i am quite fine, then others… not so.
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December 7, 2020, 7:16 pm
LinkI am not that excited about the vaccine but I hope of I get one I can be free to travel again.
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Link
Hi John welcome to my section here on VBJ. I think it will ease the worry…. there is now the light….at the end of the tunnel
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Link
Just thought to update you all on VBJ on my where abouts.
I am still in Mexico. Alive and kicking, creating content.
For the low budget travellers out there, this one is for you:
https://www.nomadicbackpacker.com/living-on-10-usd-a-day.html
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March 22, 2021, 10:50 am
LinkHow’s Mexico working out for you, Trevor? I’m thinking about Ensenada myself. I hear that Baja is a lot less restricted in many ways than the mainland, but perhaps more expensive than the south. Have you been up to Monterrey at all?
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Link
@Jochen
Hi… thanks for the message…life is pretty normal and sweet in mexico city. Obviously there are restrictions but aint too bad. Museums have reopened.
Have only been in cdmx, Oaxaca, Zipolite. Though a month in each. ;)))
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