And for a Friday returning from Dubai, the first trip abroad since Covid, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Living with Covid must now mean getting on with life. Be it domestic travel for marriages, meetings, family get togethers or foreign trips. Business or pleasure, particularly for senior citizens like us who have already lost maybe 20% of our remaining lives cocooned inside homes fearing the Virus, this trip to Dubai for a Board Meeting was heaven sent opportunity to dust our passports, travel bags and enjoy the travel. Must say, thanks to my friend Harish Marar, the dynamic MD of Bengaluru AirPort, our travel out of India was a breeze notwithstanding three RT-PCRs in 36 hours.
Dubai is dynamic, always changing for the better. Every trip I come, the city state looks even better than before. More tourist features, more activities and ofcourse this time the Dubai Expo 2020. The scale, arrangements and facilities, inspite of being hit by Covid, are unbelievable. Around the themes Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity, are woven the main pavilions and participation of 192 countries’ national pavilions. The Malayalees ofcourse have a special and privileged place in Dubai. The people from Kerala are often referred with reverence and love as Malabaris. Local Arabs refer to Indians as Malabaris and is always held two notches above others. Imagine at Dubai Expo there were country pavilions – each country including India one pavilion – total 191 country pavilions plus one exclusive Kerala Pavilion inaugurated by His Highness the Ruler of UAE.
Memorable and enjoyable this trip. But in the background is the need for CAB – Covid Appropriate Behaviour – always masked, safe distance, washing hands etc. Let’s get on with life, the safe way, the caring way, the SEEGOS way.