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| Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch, also known as Aphrodite of Milos. It was amazing we got this shot free of onlookers when hundreds of visitors were crowded around the statue also trying to take photos. |
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| Waiting for a second opportunity to capture another photo without people was pointless. |
With hundreds of tourists crowded around the above Venus de Milo statue at Le Louvre in Paris in August 2014, I decided to hover by the statue to await an opportunity, however short, to capture a photo without any tourists in sight.
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| Many of the statues were spiritual. |
Tom waited patiently while I continued to walk around the historic and famous statue waiting for the perfect moment. Although the light from the window behind my shot impeded the quality of the photo, I was thrilled even with the one person crouching on the ground in the left center of the photo.
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| Artemis, the Moon Mistress. |
With that one flaw, I avoided the necessity of editing the photo in any manner, which I rarely take time to do anyway, especially when, under usual circumstances, we have thousands of photos to handle in any one month.
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| Scary skeleton statue. |
Gosh, I wish I had that problem now! I can’t find a single photo op in my field of vision at this time during the COVID-19 lockdown while in a hotel in Mumbai, India, on day #143. When that ever changes is up for grabs with nary a word on the news as to when we may get out of here.
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| One can only imagine the skill required for the detail in this sculpture. |
Today, it was announced that India is interested in acquiring millions of doses of Russia’s vaccine, which has yet to go to stage 3 human trials. This is the vital stage of testing, which is imperative in ensuring the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
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| This painting is entitled, The Fish Market After 1621 by Frans Snyder. |
We realize that down the road. Travelers may be required to have proof of vaccination to cross borders, fly on planes, trains, public transportation, embark on cruises or participate in any public group activities.
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| Tom in front of a statue of a hunter in the center courtyard. |
This may be the future-facing all of us. We’ve decided we won’t take a vaccine until its safety and efficacy have been proven through millions of doses or when or if it’s mandatory for us to leave India or enter or exit another country in the future.
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| Another exquisite statue in the courtyard under the glass pyramid. |
We accept and understand the fears and refusal many have over the use of vaccines. But, years ago, in 2012, when we prepared to leave the US, we visited a travel clinic to have approximately 18 injections/vaccines for various illnesses.
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| Of course, there were many expensive shops on the way to the exit. |
Since that time, while in South Africa, we had the necessary boosters to continue our original vaccines. We felt this was an essential byproduct of choosing to travel the world.
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| Once we exited the Louvre, it didn’t take long to find a taxi. |
From now on, if a COVID-19 vaccine proves safe and worthwhile after millions of doses have been tendered, I imagine we’ll jump on the bandwagon. We don’t feel confident COVID-19 is going away anytime soon. And, with our still-burning desire to continue to travel, we may have no choice.
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| We spotted this view from the window of the taxi while we were driving back to our hotel. |
With the US having the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the world, even when and if we stopped traveling, we may need to protect ourselves there as well.
Yes, we realize that at some point, we won’t be able to continue to travel. We’ve accepted the reality that we may have no choice but to return to the US as we become older when we become less and less able to continue with the rigors and challenges of traveling. We have no delusions about this.
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| It wasn’t long before we spotted the famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, a short walk from our hotel, which has been an excellent location for our time in Paris. |
However, if our health is good, we could at least stay in vacation/holiday homes in various parts of the US (or the world) for perhaps three to six months at a time, continuing to enjoy a life of exploration and adventure, rather than feeling stuck in one location.
We have no interest in ever owning a home again. We don’t ever want to “outfit” a house with furniture and “stuff.” That’s not us, and I can’t imagine it will ever be.
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| Ah, there it is. The Eiffel Tower has been my favorite sight to see in Paris. |
For now, we remain firmly in place, in this pleasant hotel environment, although highly repetitious in our meals and activities, waiting to “see how it goes” over the next several months.
We’re not stressed. We’re not unhappy. We get along famously. And, above all, we are grateful to be safe.
You stay safe, too.
Photo from one year ago today, August 13, 2019:
There was no post one year ago today while out touring at a port of call on the Baltic cruise—more tomorrow.