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Our family sat with horror last night as we gathered in our living room to listen to our French President, Emmanuel Macron.
“As of noon tomorrow (meaning, today, March 17, 2020), the borders to enter the European Union and the Schengen will be closed.”
“Does that mean Robert can’t come home?” I frantically asked my husband.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “I don’t know.”
This decision doesn’t just concern France. It concerns the 27 countries representing the European Union.
Directly Affected
It also includes Spain, and Spain is where we reside. This decision directly affects us.
President Macron went on to say that it was a joint decision made that morning by all of the European Union in a drastic effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, the Coronavirus, that is raging around the world.
It isn’t just France. It’s Spain. It’s Europe.
Europe is closed.
Just hearing these words confirmed the amplitude and the seriousness of this global crisis.
“We are in a War.”
“We are in a war,” President Macron stated multiple times during his public address.
Yes, there is certainly a war waging in my heart . . . a war of fear, worry, anxiety, confusion . . .
Not only were the European land borders now closed and controlled, but also the air space. For 30 days, non-European flights would not be allowed to enter the European Union.
“Is the U.K. still considered a part of the EU with the Brexit?” I frantically asked my husband. “Is it still in transition? Will flights from the U.K. be banned into Spain too?”
“No, it’s official. The U.K. has already left the EU,” he answered.
Thank Heavens!
My husband did some quick research. Because the U.K. is still in a transition period, flights from the U.K. into Europe will still be allowed.
Thank heavens!
In addition, President Macron reassured us that national citizens and residents could still return to their native countries—even with
In hearing that, I was relieved.
Being that we are all dual citizens, U.S. and French, Robert could always enter France or the U.S. if he had a problem entering Spain.
Separated
Our 19-year-old son, Robert, now sits in his dorm room in England. We sit in our home in Spain—in complete lockdown.
We are separated by multiple countries and bodies of water.
Last Friday, Robert returned from Spain to England, after spending a week with us on his spring break. When he arrived back on his university campus on March 13, 2020, he expected to dive back into his classroom studies and intensive soccer training.
Robert expected to return to his “normal” life. But, life was no longer “normal.” We had entered a new “normal.” This wasn’t a movie. This was our new reality.
Much to his shock, and ours, Robert was notified that evening that his school was closing. The rest of the school year would be conducted online. They were advising all university students to return to their homes as soon as possible.
Rumbling and Quaking
Things were rumbling and quaking around the world. U.S. President Trump had just announced a travel ban, not allowing anyone traveling from Europe to step foot on American soil unless they are American citizens or legal residents. Perhaps other countries would follow suit in closing their borders.
We spoke with Robert on Friday and on Saturday, trying to quickly figure out his travel plans. This change of plans was unexpected, and the school and the students were trying to navigate the rough waters.
“We need to get you home sooner or later,” we told Robert. “Borders are closing.”
The Spanish Prime Minister had just announced on Friday, March 13, that Spain would be under enforced lockdown starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 16.
Things were quickly escalating.
No Low-Cost!
All day on Saturday, we searched for airplane tickets for Robert from England to Spain. Typically, we look at low-cost options first. However, we had already heard of low-cost companies who were cancelling all of their flights into Spain since it was heading into total lockdown.
We decided to not go the low-cost route, but to pay a more expensive ticket with more solid, national companies—British Airlines in the U.K. and Iberia in Spain. If any airlines would continue to fly in England and Spain, it would be those two.
We wanted to book a flight for Robert on Sunday, hoping to get him home before the lockdown started on Monday morning. However, there was an important school meeting being held on campus on Monday. We all thought we should hold off on our decision until we had more information.
Packing and Goodbyes
Saturday night, around 11 p.m., I finally spoke to Robert on FaceTime.
“Do you think you could be ready to leave early in the morning? Spain will be in lockdown starting Monday morning, and you may not be able to enter after that,” we explained to him. I know that there was a tone of panic in my voice.
“I can’t be ready to leave in the morning!” he exclaimed. “I haven’t even started packing, and we are having a goodbye party for everyone on campus tonight. Everyone’s leaving this week.”
Sadness filled my “mother’s heart.”
Packing, goodbyes . . . our family was all too familiar with them. We were all too familiar with “The Suitcase Life.”
We all knew what it was like to live in transition—in the “Land Between.”
Robert had already had to leave multiple places quickly in his 19 years of life. Morocco, Senegal, France . . . quick packing and quick goodbyes. Sometimes, no goodbyes, no closure.
Okay?
“Ok, we will get you a flight out on Monday or Tuesday,” I said. “I understand how you’re feeling. It’s all going to work out and be okay.”
I said those words to reassure my son, but I honestly wasn’t sure if they were true.
“Was everything going to work out and be okay?” I asked myself. “Are we going to get our son back home with us safely and in time? Would my son be stuck on the other side of the world—far from us—during this global crisis?”
“How are you feeling about leaving your friends?” I asked him, knowing that most of them—including Robert—weren’t returning to the school in the fall.
These weren’t just temporary goodbyes. These were final goodbyes. These were adieus.
“I don’t like to think about those things until it’s time,” he replied with sadness in his voice.
My heart sunk. This was a horrible situation. An unexpected change of plans.
Empty Airplanes
I stayed up until the wee hours of the night and finally booked Robert a ticket out on Wednesday. It was the only day that had an earlier flight, without a ten-hour layover in London. It would also get him to his connection in London earlier. If his flight was cancelled, for some reason, there were five other flights heading to Spain that night. Surely, he could make one of them and not get stuck in London.
Sunday morning, we woke up to more news. Airlines were reducing their flights by 75%. Airplanes could only be 1/3 full, due to the high contagion of the virus. Some airline companies were stopping all flights into Europe—into Spain—because of the lockdown.
No one is traveling. No one wants to travel. No one is allowed to travel.
Airplanes are empty.
When Robert returned from Spain to England on Friday night, there were only 10 or so people in the entire airplane. It was a big airplane, and it was empty.
At this point, it was too late. Even if we tried to book him a flight out on Monday, he wouldn’t arrive before the lockdown in Spain started.
Out of Control
I felt panicked and scared. Everything seemed to be out of control.
We would have to wait and trust. We would have to pray that God would make a way where there seemed to be no way.
I looked on the British Airways and Iberia websites for the “flight status” of flights scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. So far, so good.
Until . . .
Our family sat with horror last night as we gathered in our living room to listen to our French President, Emmanuel Macron.
“As of noon tomorrow (meaning, today, March 17, 2020), the borders to enter the European Union and the Schengen will be closed.”
“Does that mean Robert can’t come home?” I frantically asked my husband.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “I don’t know.”
More Research
We did as much research as we could to gather more information. It seemed that air travel would be highly restricted beginning today, March 17, 2020, at noon. However, Spanish citizens and Spanish residents could enter Spain.
Thankfully, with our work, our entire family has legal Spanish residency. Robert is still considered a dependent and is under the umbrella of our family’s residence status.
“As long as his flight into Spain isn’t cancelled, he should be ok,” my husband reassured me.
Multiple flights are cancelled on Wednesday, March 18, between England and Spain. Robert’s flight, thankfully, is still scheduled. However, things are changing by the hour.
This morning, we woke up and read an article stating that Easy Jet, another low-cost British-based airline company, has now cancelled all of its flights into Spain.
Things are escalating quickly.
As I Write . . .
In two hours, we can check Robert in online for his two flights tomorrow.
In 22 hours, Robert will load up his two suitcases, carry-on, and backpack into the trunk of a Uber car and leave his university campus. He will drive away with his life in his suitcase.
In 24 hours, Robert will check in for his flights at the airport to return home to Spain. At this point, we will know if his flights are cancelled and if he can enter Spain as a legal resident.
My husband realized this week that Robert had left his Spanish resident card with him when he returned to England. For security reasons, they both thought it was best that he not carry it with him. He never needs it. He never has to show it.
Not until now. Now, he needs it. Now, he has to show it.
We have sent digital copies of paperwork showing his resident status in Spain.
In 29 hours, we will know if Robert is on his flight from London to Spain.
In 33 hours, we will know if Robert has landed safely in Spain and can enter the country.
In 34 hours, we hope to hold Robert in our arms.
Oh God, bring our son home!
UPDATE: On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 7:10 p.m., our son landed safely in Spain. Our son is finally home!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
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How is the Coronavirus outbreak affecting your life and causing disruption? Are you separated from your loved ones on the other side of the world? How do you feel?
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Crying and praying so much for all of you. XXXX
Thank you for your prayers! We need them! This world needs them!
Is he home yet??
Yes! I updated the post yesterday to say that our son arrived home safely on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. Never been so happy to see him and have him home! 🙂