To go back to Germany or not? That was the question I asked myself as I finished week 5 of the spanish lockdown in my Altea apartment. I mean, how many more weeks could I walk the garage? On the other hand, going back to Germany amid Coronavirus was a bit risky. Was I even allowed to leave? Not to mention get in?
Well, the decision was somehow easy, once the Spanish government announced, that it would extend the lockdown by a further 2 weeks (until May 9th without any promise of easing it). And the same week Germany started easing their lockdown. So, it was clear to me. I had to make an escape back to Germany!
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Escaping Spain
To get from Altea to Nurnberg meant, I had to drive almost 2000 km, in one day. Mainly due to the virus and no opportunity to book a hotel, but I guess also, because I really just wanted to go back to Germany. The main challenge for this trip would be being questions by the police.
In addition, to go back to Germany amid Coronavirus, I needed to drive through France. But first I needed to find out whether I can actually travel at all. Given the virus and current restrictions on traveling, I was prepared for the worst.
When the day came to leave, I gathered as much information as I could. I read the information online at least 5x times, to make sure I had everything and also gathered all the necessary paperwork. Especially for France.
I even prepared sentences I might have to say, in Spanish and French, to explain why I am travelling. That was all I could do. Was I ready? Now I just had to pack and drive almost 2000 km in one day. Easy, right?
Even though, up until the night before I left, I was still uncertain whether I was making the right decision. Was going back to Germany amid Coronavirus worth the long drive? Would Spain let me out? Would driving through France be easy? And would Germany let me back in? So many questions!
I felt a little bit like my parents must have felt, when they escaped communism in Poland, with us three little kids, driving in the dark, in a windowless van.
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Back to Germany amid Coronavirus
My car was full and I left my apartment in Altea at 3.30am. During the drive in Spain, there were hardly any cars on the road, only trucks, and no police. Phew! One country done!
By around 9.30 am I crossed the border into France.
I was expecting a Spanish border check (there were plenty of warnings about it) but there was none. I just drove into France, as I have done from France to Spain before. That said, I could see all the spanish border police on the other side of the highway, obviously checking who is getting into Spain, rather than out.
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Driving through France
After 10min in France, at the first tollroad booth, a police car was waiting. Even after all my sentence practicing, all I could say was ‘en transit’. Which, even to him, was pretty obvious. I mean, I was driving a German registered car that was loaded with luggage (not to mention the bike on top). So it wasn’t hard to tell.
The police man said lots of other things, from which I understood nothing. I think he might have asked me some important questions. Why are you on the road, maybe? All I could do is show him the papers I had. Clearly he didn’t speak any english (luckily), so he said ok and walked off. So much to my explaining in French. But maybe it was for the better?
Driving through France back to Germany amid coronavirus was pretty easy. Even though I had already driven for many hours, I felt energetic. I had no stops, didn’t see much police and besides lots of trucks, there wasn’t much traffic around. Furthermore, I stayed on the highway at all times and only stopped for petrol, food (which I had with me) and pee breaks.
I think it was my first time in France without having a croissant.
France felt quite relaxed in comparison to Spain, even from inside of my car. Nobody was wearing masks or gloves while driving their cars (they all did in Spain), and I could see cars with more than one person inside (forbidden in Spain). And by the time I saw a couple walking along a side road, I knew, I made the right decision. Even though I had to cut my spanish stay by two months. Oh well, I will be back!
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Arriving in Germany
I reached the French/German border around 6.30pm.
There was no police on the French border but was stopped at the German side. There were no other travellers or cars crossing the border. After telling the young officer to wait, as I had to put my face mask on, my full car gave me away.
Officer: ‘Have you been on holiday?’
Me: ‘Yes. On a longer holiday. Can I please come back to Germany?’
Officer: ‘Are you German?’
Me: ‘Yes’
And so, I was in! I was in Germany! What a great feeling and achievement. I could already see people going for walks and cycling. And I couldn’t wait to do so myself. So, after a few more hours and a speedy drive on the German Autobahn, I arrived at my destination at 10pm. My car has done well driving 1980km in over 18hours (including less than one hour break). I could not believe it!
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Isolation life
I like my little holiday house I found online, as a base for the European summer. I am surrounded by lakes, forrest and lots of bike ways. So, after unpacking my car, I didn’t wait too long to go for a ride. Because, here in Germany, even during the 14 day self-quarantine, exercising is allowed. Away from people of course! And I haven’t cycled in Germany since I crossed the country, following the Main river, cycling to Spain (read here).
How great is it to go for a walk outside again!
Since arriving 5 days ago, I have had many outside walks and bicycle rides. Still avoiding all people of course. I will be happy here, in my little Garden house, south of Nurnberg. How long? Who knows! The Coronavirus is definitely still around and the world is still on hold. So all my plans are in the open for now.
We can only wait and see when and how life after the virus will look like. I also hope Spain will get out of it ok.
As for me, coming back to Germany amid Coronavirus was the right decision. Stay safe for now!
