It took me by surprise to enter into a hospital environment aboard the airplane. It turned out these were the protective garbs for the flight attendants. Many papers to fill in before landing. About 9 hours in my shield and mask to Doha. I felt very protected, even without sufficient air access. And again some angels turned up to be supportive among these crazy processes.
One of the friendly attendants, I could only see friendly eyes and heavy eye makeup, above mask and shield, suggested I should get a wheelchair in Doha airport since the distances were huge. I agreed and had an extraordinary experience. After all, had left the plane (by the way no more than 50 people in this huge plane) the other plane door opposite the exit was opened, and an elevator came up, I was escorted down to have a huge bus waiting for me which drove me all alone through the airport to the respective terminal to leave for Frankfurt, another 5 hours in my ET costume. With a headband of the shield far too tight.
No American passport holders are allowed into Germany. Many formalities and filling out papers on the plane. Somehow I was able to sneak out through an automatic door bypassing the immigration booths. No-one ever asked for a negative test or for the papers filled out. No one collected them.
In Frankfurt and Giessen, no masks in view. Only when entering a store or a restaurant, masks were donned and safe distance mostly kept. What a relief.
I did have an important dental appointment in Mannheim about 1 1/2 hours from where I was. Actually, I was supposed to come in May to have some serious surgery. Entering the dentist's office was a true pleasure, light and bright and welcoming. Usually one can not say that from a dentist's office. The type of dentistry was totally holistic, with the preparation of many vitamins 4 weeks prior. The day before a vitamin and other stuff infusion and during the dental procedure again on infusion, as well as similar aftercare for four weeks.
Having removed the majority of my teeth, their roots infected and placed implants at the same time. I managed to keep holding on from 9 am -5 pm. I was amazed not to experience any pain on the same day or after. I was given a cooling mask to be placed on my face for the next 3 days. No swelling or bleeding. A true miracle and a list of vitamins and which foods to avoid. I planned on a check up on my way back from New York 10 days later.
The next angel, Helga had come from Berlin to drive me during my stay wherever I needed to go.
I collected my tooth debris lovingly and will make a nice ceremony and returning them gratefully back to the earth. After all, they served me for so many years.
Next challenge, finding an airline going to New York and booking the flight. Somehow at this point, the computer was not in alignment with me. I booked with Lufthansa a roundtrip and was charged twice on my credit card. This meant spending hours to reach to the respective department for credit. Much time was spent to research and find out the latest changes in admissions and what was needed to enter the next leg of my journey. For Lufthansa a test was needed, however in all of Germany, one could only get a test by getting the referral to a hospital from your regular physician. Since I don't have one, I researched and finally found a testing place at the airport. They would do it in 2 days, which was not helpful or me. So I took a risk to travel with my old test. To enter the US, a valid test was needed including my American passport.
My dentist had given me an attest to not have to wear a mask while flying since it impacts my health. A long fruitless discussion ensued prior to boarding with the Lufthansa agent at the gate.
My letter was refused, based on the fact that it did not contain a government stamp. The flight was uneventful with nutrient-poor food. Again, a huge plane with nearly no passengers.
Arrived in New York, the entry was effortless, no one controlled anything to do with C. However, I was sent to agro control, having mentioned to the immigration officer, my stay included Indonesia. After a wait of 2 hours, my suitcase was frisked inside out. Fruit and any farming products are not allowed to bring in. Fortunately, I was present enough after the 8 1/2 hour flight to asses correctly and my dried Jiwa Damai pineapples and bananas disappeared quickly from my suitcase into the pockets of my jacket. eventually, I was on the way to my apartment on the Upper Westside in Manhattan. Masks and masks everywhere. In the building not to use the elevator unless really necessary. Walking in the normally busy Amsterdam Ave with its innumerable restaurants, the scene looked strange. Only a few days before the restaurants had received permission to open, only to serve meals outside on the sidewalks and streets. The New Yorker is a fervent restaurant visitor.
There were tables everywhere on the sidewalk and on the street, people eating right next in the street traffic, the bicycle path with wild speed electrical ones going right next to your chair through the tables. Grocery stores closed, it was challenging to find food unless takeout and restaurants.
