Imagine going for a holiday to a remote destination with no contact with the outside world. And returning to a world that seems like an episode right out of a zombie apocalypse.
Well that’s exactly what happened to a group of friends, who spent 25 days camping on the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River. When they returned from their trip, it seemed like they returned to a world turned completely upside down by the coronavirus.
A group of friends spent 25 days rafting in the Grand Canyon with no outside contact — and returned to find the world in the midst of a 'disorienting' pandemic https://t.co/RS8hsc6GG9 pic.twitter.com/ovjNXSCFUv
— Ryan (@Ryan_Swindall) March 21, 2020
Friends Spend 25 Days In Grand Canyon; Return To Find Pandemic-Stricken World
Reportedly, a group of more than a dozen rafters set out on their rafting trip on February 19. Their phones were switched off and they were all set to tune into nature and within themselves. Unfortunately, the world decided to tune out!
When the friends finished their 25-day trip, they met an employee of a rafting company in Flagstaff, Arizona, who gave them an update on the world. He explained to them how the novel coronavirus was now a pandemic, how countries were going into lockdown, how supermarket shelves were empty and how people were advised to stay indoors!
When the group turned on their phones, they were so confused. It was too much to process!
Also Read: Camping Emerges As The Most Popular Way To Travel Post Lockdown
The Trip Unknowingly Prepared Them For Self-Isolation
The trip, however, turned out to be a lesson in isolation for many. It prepared them to continue to remain in isolation, and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to one of the rafters, as per NY Times, the trip helped them live in the moment. It also helped them steal some time and ‘postponed a dire reality’.
But for some, coming back home to the people they missed for a long time and not being able to hug or touch them was upsetting. While that’s a bit saddening, the trip definitely turned out to be a blessing in disguise for all.