Team 9

On the third day we went to the airport again. On the way there began a series of questions. Almost like it’s an interrogation.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Why do you have it so calm and peaceful here? I asked. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-It is like that for now. A month or maybe two before your arrival it was different. People were rushing to buy their load of flour, frozen food and pasta. It was madness. But people obeyed the law. Because people knew that it won’t last long if they just listened.&nbsp; Libor paused, then continued on: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Actually not everyone did to be exact. Some were going back home from different countries and were trying to avoid controls for the virus. So yeah, if every single person had obeyed the law, there would not have been any pandemic in Czech republic in my opinion.&nbsp; Silence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Why did you even flee from home anyways? I looked out the window and answered: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-I really don’t know, I guess was feeling trapped. Just like it’s a prison where I was locked up for no reason. I just wanted to seek some freedom for a bit. But now I know that my life is not the worst scenario in this world situation. And I realized that I made a mistake.” “I need to go back.” It was all I could think about.

The landing was clearly not the best I have ever had. Czech people are always a bit rude when uncomfortable, as if that flight was not bad enough. I mean, I guess everybody can be, and this is probably not just a czech character, but from what I have witnessed it is undeniably worse with these people. The rainy weather did not help brighten my day either. It felt like the sky was fitting people’s mood around me, affecting me at the same time.&nbsp;First step of the plane was step right into a puddle. It splashed all over my clothes, I cannot say it&nbsp;helped to brightening up my spirit...“At least I’m where I wanted to be.” I said under my breath in a very dejected tone. I breathed in and repeated to myself it was not&nbsp;bad, only a bad mood, things still seemed okay. Well, as good as drenched clothes, shoes and face mask could be. Luckily I had a waterproof bag. So my things were not soaking wet. Anyways, I would not be staying long. Just a few days.&nbsp; Inside the airport, it seemed like nothing had really changed since 2020 - people, cars, buildings... Everything stayed the same although the rest world was evolving rapidly. It felt like that time of your life when everything around you is changing and you just can not seem to do the same.

The first encounter was awkward as none of us knew whether we wanted to say hi first or blame each other for being irresponsible. Finally I started with a simple “Hi” and then it happened. We knew each other for barely 10 minutes and we were already arguing.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Where were you? You was meant to be in the buffet as we planned.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-And where were you? Yeah I was meant to be in the buffet but I was needed there 12 hours ago...&nbsp; The argument went going on and on. Until we both gave up.&nbsp; Then I introduced myself. But my friend did not even know how to pronounce my name. He also told me that his name was Libor Buček. It was now my turn to not know how to pronounce his name. After that short introduction, we went on with the trip.

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At that point I decided to visit two more places, Sardinia and Sicily. I was happy to see normal behavior in people, their lives were exactly the same before the 2020 pandemic. In fact its impact was less severe in the Italian islands and people do not seem to have been&nbsp;psychologically affected. I have seen enough here. I came to the conclusion that even after many years the country still be influenced by the first COVID outbreak. And the northern part of the country is still traumatized by the event. Italy has changed a lot, and in my opinion it was not for the best. It also lost its old touristic areas and stereotypes. My friends said the strangers now only describe Italy with the word “mad”. I guess it was their own way to urge me to leave the country now. So did I. (I took the next plane going to Czech Republic )

Since I could not escape all the restriction the only way for me to travel was through Virtual Reality (VR), a state-of-the-art technology specially created as a result of all the events that preceded it.&nbsp; Freedom was the only thing i could think about, VR was an amazing advance we could feel everything!&nbsp; From people’s warmth to the cold bite of a bath in an onsen (japanese thermal public bath), as well as the sweet taste of a Turkish loukoum. We could really call&nbsp;that a “one of a kind” technological advance. Moreover the government -more particularly my father- thought that it was the best way to keep everyone “safe” and “ away from COVID-49” as he liked to say. I was so angry !&nbsp; What about freedom?! Freedom of going out with your friends, meeting new people, travelling all across the globe like these adventurers from the past!! We used to be surfing the sea while riding our “vaka” ( tahitian pirogue which was used by our ancestors to discover the earth and what it could offer) I jumped on my headset and my complete suit. I was such in a hurry to put it on. I could feel reality fade away as I slowly fell into this world, straight to France. Feeling the process throughout my body felt like a shot of adrenaline waking all my senses and making them more exacerbated than ever. It felt almost like a drowning leaf slowing falling in deep water, towards what seemed like an abyss of excitement!&nbsp;

But first let me explain how it all started. Rumor has it that back in the days my father was considered the most promising successor for the status of president of the country. It is said that he was the best of all. He used to be kind, and always took the time to listen to people then helping them in every way possible. He was always giving the best of him, to his nation and to us, his family. However, the dream did not last long. 

One day we were unexpectedly hit by a second wave of COVID, but this time, it had greatly muted. Thus no one was immunised anymore. It caused the whole country to panic once again . Because this time the virus was stronger and no cure to it yet. That day was also the day were a dark sun rose upon my father, my beloved mother whom he loved since forever had fell ill. She the love of his life, a real “love at first sight”, just like in the fairytales, but unlike them, there was no happy ending. My Mother passed away a few days later due to her frail body and poor health, like an angel that was called too soon back to heaven.&nbsp;

I took my VR headset off. And along my cheeks were running little cristal drops. I could feel their salty taste on my lips. Guilt ans shame overwhelmed me. I took off my VR suit then kneeled in front of my night stand. And for the first time in seven years, I prayed. I prayed for my mother, begging for her forgiveness. Begging for her to guide me and help me find my way in life. Begging for receiving the strength to face my father. Tears kept on flowing down my face. Until exhaustion eventually took over me...

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I arrived in Milan by train. At the train station my Italian friends were waiting for me. They took me on a city-tour. While we were walking, I noticed that a lot of people were still wearing masks. I asked to my friends if the virus was still present in Italy, but they answered that obviously it was gone and the masks were only a stylish trend in Italy. When we arrived in Piazza Duomo, I saw something strange. A group of elder Italians were shooting at pigeons with shotguns. My friends explained that it was was because they “went crazy” : they thought that those birds could give birth to a new virus. Then I went visit Venice. In San Marco square the situation was the same as in Milan. While we were enjoying our evening tour on a gondola, I noticed people throwing pills in the canals from their balconies. My friends explained that it became an habit : the Venetians thought that the fish were infected and that the medicine would heal them, making them proper to consumption. The next city I visited was Florence, always known as a very rich and cultural city. I was really disappointed when I saw its situation. Florence was really dirty and poor, there were homeless people everywhere. They all lost their jobs and houses after the last COVID pandemic. Unfortunately The economic situation of the city has only worsened, keeping everyone from going back to a normal life.&nbsp; Finally we arrived in the capital, Rome. Unfortunately the situation was not as I expected either. In fact at the Colosseum, people were protesting against the northern part of Italy, saying it went crazy because they hurt animals without any reason. We took a bus to Piazza Navona, where street artists were selling their paintings all representing a coronavirus. 30 years after the first outbreak, art was still very influenced by the virus and people started going to Rome to buy paintings. I was really impressed and decided to buy one of them.

CHAP4: CZECH REPUBLIC

My friend was supposed to be waiting for me at the arrivals. . I was texting him, asking where he was. But no response. And I did not even know his real name, only his face. We met a year ago while playing some online games. So there was no other way for me to find him. Finally I sat down and waited. The sound of raindrops hitting the windows of the waiting room was so soothing. I tried to not fall asleep, but could not help. The exhaustion from the flight was stronger. After all, I had been stuck with people complaining and crying babies for more than five hours. When I woke up it was already the morning, there were more people waiting in the room. It felt weird. It seemed like I only took a nap, not a full ten hour rest. What a weird feeling it was to walk in a calm and dim lighted room then wake up in a crowded sunbathed waiting area. It felt like I woke up in a totally different place.&nbsp; But then I received a call. That number was not in my contact list. Still, I picked it up, out of curiosity. Who could be calling me? My Czech friend? Was it someone dangerous? Was it my father?&nbsp; It was my friend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Where the hell are you? I have been waiting for half an hour! he complained &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Where am I? More like where were YOU! I waited for an hour and then fell asleep for like another 12 hours because you did not come and you were not answering my texts either.”&nbsp; That is when my friend finally realized that he did not even come late but he actually came the morning after my arrival.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Oh...I’m sorry bro... “What a nice start to this trip.” I mumbled to myself.

I was so young at that time, barely reached 10 years old. And seeing my father cry every single night for almost a whole year really deeply shook me. He had put his political career aside to mourn and grieve Mom’s loss. He also started drinking and smoking. And the one day, he totally changed. I still do not know what happened, but from that day, he became a whole new man. He pledged to dedicate his life to fighting the virus and swore to never let anyone die from it anymore. Not on his watch. But from that day on, I also never saw him smile again. Although he kept on fighting harder and harder everyday, it felt like he was only the shadow of the man he used to be. I could not recognize my father anymore. He became a political machine, battling alone against an unfathomable enemy. Restriction after restriction he built what he deemed to be the perfect safeplace, a paradise remote from that global crisis. First, he forbade all international flights and turned our tourism based economy into a self sustainable one. Less and less physical contacts were authorized and social distanciation had become mandatory. Slowly but surely, the Tahitian people started to lose its

The End

When I landed in Paris, France everything was closed. I ran across a customs officer who told me I could only take the train out of France. I felt so sad that I could not see my friend Michel. So I had no other choice than to take the train to Milan. hopefully I will be able to see my Italian friends. 

This time, the flight seemed longer than ever. I could not stop thinking over and over about the reasons that drove me to flee the way I did. I started to feel more and more guilty. How could I leave my country like that? How could I be so ignorant? It was not like everything I discovered through my journey was unavailable on the Internet. The way I acted was so childish. So unworthy of my parents. I realized how embarassed my mother must have be up there. I had to make it right. I had to go back to my father, appologize, and prove my mother that she birthed no ignorant and ungrateful spoiled child. This time, I was determined to accecpt who i was and all the responsabilities that came with it. Tonight, in this flight back home, I finally realized how lucky and blessed I was to be born in Tahiti, to have been raised there by loving parents. And even if things are not the ways they used to, life is still better there than anywhere else. Not because of my father's laws, but because it is my home, my root, the place where my life started.

The sound of the waves crashing on the reef was like a symphony to his ears. No need for electronic devices, or any other piece of technology. Here he was free. Free from all the constraints and the obligations he had. After all, as the son of the current president, he had no other choice but to comply with all the rules and restrictions in place. And to top it all things have only worsened since the the last pandemic of 2042.&nbsp; &nbsp;-Tua'a'ai'a! What are you doing here again?! How many times have I told you not to come here unprotected? And why did your principal called me about you skipping class? He does not answer.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Hey! Look at me when I’m talking to you!&nbsp;Is It true that you skipped your yearly shot? He remained silent. He knew too well that no matter what he would say, his father would still scold him anyways

-Son, answer me. -Yes i did, he sighed. But you know why! These shots have more side effects than actuall benefits. Don't you see how the city looks more and more like a ghost town? I hate it! -How many times will I have to tell you? It's not about what you like or not. It's about public health and safety. -Whatever. With you it's always the same. You never listen to me. Your political career is always more important than me. After all, I'm only a failure to you. Fighting back his tears, he turned aways and agrily walked back towards the house. -Tua'a'ia'a! Wait! I'm not done with you yet! screamed his father in vain: the boy was already gone.

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CHAP 3: ITALY

And these are only a few examples of all the restrictions my father put into place.He has been president of the country for a couple of years now, and all these new laws did not contribute to make him popular at all. However I still have to admit that economically speaking, he did a great job. Starting off with learning new skills and then moving to the creation of new jobs the country needed, the rate of employment which was really low slowly rose up to its climax with unemployed people grouped by the government to train them.With this the whole economic system saw a new dawn, with an unemployment rate of only 0.6%, one of the lowest in the world.

But work did not live a lot of time for hobbies, which are also very limited . It included practicing sports at home, playing games, watching TV or cooking. It really was not like the old time where people could go swimming at the beach and partying every week ends. There was nothing really exciting anymore. So everyone started to try to escape this depressing reality. And their solution was the virtual world. Everyone was saving money to buy VR flight ticket and finally get the chance to travel and discover the world. Since that crisis a lot of changes happened and we had to adapt to a whole new lifestyle… Anyways...all that boring talking is starting to make me feel dizzy...I should probably take a nap...

unique warmth and authenticity. It was all replaced by cold stares across a meter of distance. No more chit-chatting. No more partying. No more public events. Everything was restricted. Even after a new vaccine was developed, these restrictions stayed the same. “Better safe than sorry” kept saying my father. But vaccination campaigns were made mandatory for everyone, at work and at school. Speaking of which, school has nothing to be excited about. there are only a few students per class and we have to wear a full protection suit with the complete suite, gloves, and mask. And that, even if we are supposedly immune thanks to the vaccine. And if we ever wanted to go out somewhere other than school or work, the outing was limited to only a few hours. Plus a digital authorisation was required as well as the activation of&nbsp;a tracking device for the full duration of the trip. Face recognition trackers and health checking points were also implemented to detect any early symptoms of COVID, thus preventing a potential epidemic. We were literally being watched, stalked and controlled every single hour of every single day.

Upset, he slammed the door and locked it then crashed into his bed. Why did his father always have to make things more difficult? Why has he become that strict? He could barely recognize his own father. “It all started when Mom passed away…It’s all because of that damned virus.” he thought. Ever since that day, it was as if he became a whole new person, and not in a good way. He became cold and distant and pledged to dedicate his life to the eradication of that very virus that killed his wife. He sighted. If only things could go back to how it used to be...His phone buzzed. A new notification came up. It was from that new online gaming platform he just subscribed to. It read “DeathSlayer04 wants to be your friend”. He logged in and simply accepted the friend request.

Casual sightseeing was probably the most boring part of the trip. But it is one of the things that needs to be done. COVID pandemic or not. The weirdest thing about the Czech Republic in general was that it looked like people were not the slightest bit afraid of the virus. But the reality was a bit different. The virus was already settled here. There were new cases everyday but it was alright. The world there was working normally. It was like everyday life but with a face mask on. Public events like festivals and fairs we still closed but otherwise, it was pretty normal. The only thing that was out of the ordinary was a fact that there was no tourists. There was no one at the usual sightseeing places. Still, it took us a day and a half to visit all of them. The rest of his trip looked more like holidays than fleeing from home.&nbsp; I had a bad feeling about this. I thought about how I was here enjoying my sightseeing holidays while the rest of my people is sitting home. Unable to anything but follow their endless routine. I felt so guilty about that that I started planning on going back home after the second day here.

Warm. It felt nice and warm. Safe. I slowly opened my eyes. Sunlight was flooding my room. It was so pleasant. I smiled. It must be a sign. Today is a new day, a new departure for me. Today, I will become someone my parents could be proud of. I stood up, and got dressed up then motioned towards my door. The memory of me slamming it came back rushing to me as I placed my hand on the doorknob. I knew that what I did that day was not right. So i had to make up for it. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

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I was sick of this. Sick of feeling trapped. Sick of obeying to all these rules. Sick of my father patronizing all the time. Sick of this island. But for once, I had a way out. Today was the day I could finally escape from this prison…

Once again I felt my heart tighten, all his word were so harsh...yes harsh and horrible!&nbsp; I had to leave but….once again I remembered the beautiful mountains standing tall against bad weather, the river running down the hills with its own fauna and flora . Leaves were dancing in the wind, like in a dream fading away in the dark, a spark of utopia. All those good memories were rooted in me, I was proudly holding them on my skin like a tattoo, a story that will never vanish from me and that i will cherish . They are a part of me. One second...maybe more of me daydreaming when I heard the sounds of an alarm ringing accompanied by a soft voice:&nbsp; “ Passenger&nbsp;2020-05,you are expected at the desk for the presentation of your boarding pass to France at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport” .&nbsp;

Slowly regaining all my senses i felt my heart tighten as i arrived in the virtual airport.&nbsp;The sun was gently bathing my hair and my whole body as i was walking on the forbidden area..the beach. The morning sky shone bright like a priceless piece of jewelry. It was as blue as thousands of saphirs, and the sun floating like a diamond blessing the Earth with its golden hair as it was a precious being that had to be protected at all cost.

I was there contemplating this breathtaking scenery, a witness of Nature’s beauty and innocence. Although I was complaining about the laws, one good aspect I could think about was how the environment claimed back its place over pollution. Everyday we were hearing about those times where pollution was everywhere, greenhouse effect and other things destroying the planet.&nbsp;

Oh crap my flight!!&nbsp; I was so&nbsp;daydreaming that I had forgotten about the reason why I was here!&nbsp;I ran upstairs as fast as I could, and after all the struggle and the paperwork I could finally walk to the plane.It was a gigantic plane, a new model of boeing 2050z with not more than 500 seats! This thing was a beast on its own! After a few seconds of pure admiration for this masterpiece, I quickly ran up to my seat which was near the window.I was so happy at the moment that I felt like a new me!&nbsp;A rebel youth going against rules, I felt great, I was relieved from all this anger, this burden of being the president’s son.Now it was my time to shine and discover the world!&nbsp;I calmly looked down as the plane took off while focusing on my dream. My happiness and excitement quickly overwhelmed my sorrow and my anger as I thought of my friend Michel and France.&nbsp;

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