Eyewitness 2 Travel Now
Let’s get the story straight right from the beginning. OK? Traveling outside your zone right now is not easy.
This past Sunday in Tennessee, I spoke at a Celebration of Life for a life-long friend who passed away the middle of April. At the time, no service was held, no relatives except for her husband of 53 years, the funeral home necessary staff were the only others there. What a way to go.
Her sister asked me back then to speak when a service could be held.
Her church was limiting activities, so the service was held at a local funeral home with very few invited. Everyone was required to wear masks, have temperatures taken, no hugs, no handshakes, social distancing in the pews. It’s very hard to carry on a conversation in a mask.
The minister said a few words of comfort, a church friend, me and a neighbor spoke. I was the comic relief so I told some funny stories wearing my white suit that I described as a combination of Tom Wolfe and Bianca Jagger, topped off by a British fascinator hat with a big white flower complimented with rhinestones, silver sequins and white chicken feathers.
I know the deceased would have loved this very low key outfit. I think the family feared I would show up dressed in my Minnie Pearl outfit. Why be so dull after all it was a Celebration of Life?
This trip was a necessity and a great honor for me. We did feel very aware of how others felt about the dangers of the virus as we left our comfort zone in Jasper County and drove, ate and slept in three states.
Restaurants were empty. Take out lines were long. There were signs on the doors of gas stations, convenience stores, anywhere you went, “No Mask, No Service.”
Hotels took your temperature, a sack with a sausage biscuit and an energy bar was your full breakfast these days. Red x marked your place to wait and always glass or plexiglass between you and the hotel desk clerk, the restaurant cashier.
Hand sanitizer and face masks at every door and warning signs about touching or not wearing your masks.
If you slipped up and forgot, you were met with stares and a warning from the staff.
We stopped off in Holly Springs, Miss. to look at the beautiful mansions and needed a map. The Chamber of Commerce was closed, homes were only open by appointment, no welcome center and very few stores and restaurants open. A gift shop, The Regel, was open and gave us a map marking the house locations.We had a picnic lunch in an abandoned parking lot. This city thrives on tourists, sadly lacking, so sad.
Be prepared if you venture out of Jasper County, take food, water, paper towels, cleaning items.
Many cities have mandatory mask requirements, so take plenty of those.
Traveling ain’t what it used to be. This trip was an awakening to what other states are doing to protect their citizens. Good to get back home and take off my mask in the house.