Well, the trip that I have been looking forward to for months had to be cancelled. CP and I had booked a 9 day vacation next month to Costa Rica with Izzy and my MIL. When the CDC Zika virus warnings started to come out I brushed them off saying that they weren't anywhere close to Costa Rica. Then I started to hear the stories of some of the babies that were being born in places like Brazil and I felt awful for the families of those babies. A simple mosquito bite could do that (potentially- it hasn't been proven yet)?
Then the CDC added 8 more countries. While Costa Rica was not one of them (yet), I assume it's only a matter of time. As I thought about it more, it wasn't something that I wanted to worry about during my pregnancy. Because that's exactly what would have happened. Even if there had been no Zika issues in Costa Rica by the time we arrived next month, I wouldn't have been able to relax. I would have had to wear long sleeve clothing, spray DEET all over myself, and would want to stay indoors behind screens/mosquito netting the entire trip. And that would not have been fun at all.
So this weekend we cancelled our flights, getting all of our United points and almost all of our money back. We cancelled our hotels and car rental as well. Then yesterday we went looking for a new place to go next month that is warm. Our current choices? Hawaii or Arizona. We have plenty of airline points to get us to either place. Now we just have to find housing.....
And yes, I realize that I am incredibly lucky to be able to do this. Currently my country is not advising me not to get pregnant for two years (like El Salvador) and I have the option to steer clear of countries that are having Zika outbreaks. Hopefully in a couple years we can re-book the trip to Costa Rica when I am not pregnant as it is still one of the countries that I can't wait to see!
Want to read more Microblog Mondays? Go here.
13 comments:
Oh man!! I'm so sorry!!
We did just visit Hawaii, and I would go back in a heartbeat. We stayed on Oahu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (in a time-share condo). It was really great. I think if we could do it again, we might choose a different island, or try an Airbnb in North Shore (a little more laid back) ... Good luck choosing!!
As much as canceling sucked, I think you made a wise decision. It's not worth the stress of worrying and G_d forbid something did happen.
I haven't been to Hawaii in years, but loved my time there. Kaui is definitely the hotspot at the moment, though Maui and Oahu are lovely too. The Big Island is still my favorite. That said, Arizona is lovely too. It all depends on whether you like dry heat vs. wet heat.
I was just telling DH last night that I needed a vacation somewhere warm. I'm hoping to schedule one after our DE IVF transfer somewhere in the US to relax during the short 2WW...I'm thinking Key West or someplace like that...
You absolutely made the right choice. I'm thinking we should avoid any vacays down south until we're done with whatever other family building we decide to attempt...I attract mosquitoes like no one's business and having to wait two years after a trip would just be agony. Which sucks, because it's effing cold here. I hope you find another great trip!
Oh, that sucks! Sorry you had to cancel your trip. Definitely hear you though about the risks of Zika. Until they can figure out what the issue there is, you're right about better safe than sorry. Hope that you'll find a good place to go.
Oh, how scary. I'm sorry you had to cancel your trip, but it is so worth the peace of mind to know that you didn't take an unnecessary risk. And to get all your points and whatnot back! Amazing. Both Arizona and Hawaii sound amazing -- I love Sedona, and went to Hawaii a long time ago and am dying to go back. So much to do, so many ecosystems, so much beauty! I'm sorry you lost Costa Rica, but you will have a beautiful eco vacation without the worry of Zika in one of these other places, and hopefully Costa Rica can be a trip to look forward to in the future!
I'm sorry you didn't get to go to Costa Rica, but it is important to be safe, and not to worry. I heard today that the Zika virus is carried by the same mosquitoes that carry dengue fever. I've had dengue fever, and now I hate having to be so careful (because it is dangerous to contract it a second time) with insect repellent and long sleeves/trousers at dusk and dawn (which is when that particular mosquito comes out), so I know what it is to spend time worrying when you are travelling.
You'd want, perhaps, to check that Hawaii doesn't have the dengue fever mosquito (I don't know). The same news report today said it's likely to spread to all the Americas - it is in the Pacific islands already, the Caribbean, etc. So Hawaii might be safe at the moment, but it's probably worth checking.
I hope you are able to get to Costa Rica at some point...I loved it when I was there.
It's such a sad situation. But I'm with you -- I would never be able to relax and enjoy it, so why go if you don't have to go.
I just heard about this virus yesterday. How scary it is! I'm glad you are cancelling your trip, even if it ended up being for peace of mind only, and hope you end up having a fabulous vacation wherever you do go!
A bummer to cancel your trip to CR for sure, but I agree with you -- it would've been hard to relax during the trip or for the rest of your pregnancy. Having just returned from Costa Rica, I can assure you there are many, many bugs there and my entire family had mosquito bites all over our legs. As you said, the warnings aren't for CR (yet), but you'd hate to worry.
Hope you end up booking (and enjoying!) a lovely warm weather vacation somewhere else in the States!
I'm sure you've seen the headlines today, but you obviously, absolutely made the right choice. Everything I've read about it is horrible and not worth the risk, not for a moment. Given how fast they say it's spreading, I'm beginning to get mildly concerned about my pregnant SIL in Texas.
So understandable. I actually thought of you and your upcoming trip when I first heard about Zika - because, while I'm an awful commenter, I'm still reading along. We've been to Hawaii a few times when we lived on the west coast, and I can definitely recommend going there!
Post a Comment