Spending Christmas in Japan again

Last year I refrained from visiting my family in Germany for Christmas due to the pandemic. It was a little sad but it was also nice to spend Christmas in Japan since I usually spend it in Germany.

This year I wanted to go to Germany and things were looking good with Japan easing the quarantine restrictions and Germany taking back more and more restrictions for going out and visiting restaurants and events. However, in November infection numbers in Germany exploded and now some parts of the country are already in lockdown with others probably soon to follow.

The situation in hospitals in Germany is already close to the situation we had during the Olympics. Ambulances have to drive around for our hours to find a hospital with a free bed and the intensive care units of hospitals are filling up quickly.

Even though I am fully vaccinated I consider this too dangerous and there is also a chance we could not return to Japan if Japan puts Germany on the list of countries that are too dangerous. Currently, there is no quarantine for vaccinated people that enter Germany from Japan with Christmas markets being canceled and a lot of places closed there would not be much to do anyway.

Not being able to celebrate Christmas with my family again is rather sad but still, I try to make the best of the situation. For the 25th my husband and I reserved a Christmas dinner in a fancy France restaurant so that I have something enjoyable to distract me. I also ordered a cute Christmas cake for us that will be delivered on the 24th.

For my family, I packed a huge box of presents and shipped it to Germany a few days ago. As it was over 7 kilograms shipping was not cheap, but I hope it brightens their mood a little. Of course, we will also talk a lot over skype during the holidays.

I hope that infections numbers will be lower in spring so I might be able to go to Germany over the Golden Week Holidays but with many people in Germany not willing to get vaccinated chances are the situation will be unstable in Germany for quite a while longer. In a situation where a lockdown could be coming anytime and restrictions to enter change constantly, I find it rather difficult to make plans for a visit. Especially since usually plane tickets, can’t be fully refunded if you cancel them.

Have you visited your family back home since the pandemic started? How are you coping with the travel situation?