7 days left

As 'corona heroes', we already left our home port Rostock for a day last year. Before that, we even dared to go on a week-long AIDA pirate adventure together. Now we're taking to the sky.

In almost exactly one week, we will embark on our journey to the USA together. For me, Daniel (46), it will be the fifth time. Nadine (32), on the other hand, will be leaving Europe for the very first time. To increase the excitement, we are aware that we are still in a global pandemic situation. But we're like so many others in this time. We long for change, we long for normalcy, we long for anticipation of something special.

The whole vacation actually originated from a crazy idea. After I had been to the States several times, I said at some point, 'I would go there with you too,' to which Nadine immediately said, 'I'm in!'... and so it was done. Even though we currently see each other very little as colleagues (due to home office), we have been planning this hopefully unforgettable vacation for over a year. Currently, I still can't believe that it is becoming a reality. There is still so much uncertainty in everyday life these days. The necessary negative COVID test 24 hours before our departure will be the next step, and when we have made it through immigration in Atlanta, picked up our rental car, and hold the room key at the motel for the first night's stay. Then it will be certain.

Together, we will cruise through the USA from Atlanta, through Florida to New Orleans, and then back to Atlanta via Memphis and Nashville. The attentive reader may wonder why these two crazy people are going there in February. It still snows in Memphis today....

Well, the actual main goal and reason for the trip is Mardi Gras in NOLA, better known as New Orleans. Unfortunately, the organizers could not be persuaded to postpone the second largest carnival in the world for us to July. So, let's go.... the countdown is on. 7 days until departure.. and there is still so much to do.

A heartfelt thanks in advance to Tim & Loki who will stay at home and who lend me Nadine for this little adventure - I promise to bring them back unharmed ;-)