Day 291 – EU – Belgium [Rest Day in Charleroi]

20/01/21

 Rest day in Charleroi (Belgium, Europe)

A studious day spent indoors (mostly) while the wind is blasting outside

With such a miserable weather I was quite pleased to stay indoors and work on my logistics. I went quickly around the town, to catch a sight of comics statues spread around the city. Charleroi is home to the “Dupuis Edition” which historically edited comics such as “Lucky Luke”, “Fantasio”, “Marsupilami” etc… But I spent most of the day trying to assess the situation of the world run. “As of Today” (and this is important – as anything can change in the blink of an eye, for better or for worse).

Europe: I have placed a green tick in countries where tourist accommodations are open and free movement is allowed. The red stripes depict countries where this is not the case. Naturally, looking at this picture, it is obvious that my plan to run all the way to Berlin then through Central Europe has to be scrapped. Obviously. And both Germany and Austria have indicated that they will extend these measures past 31st January, possibly until Easter.

My plan is now to complete my crossing of Belgium (west to east) then head south towards Switzerland and Italy. I will then head east towards Romania and the Black Sea coast. From there on I will head to Istanbul and finish my crossing of Europe. This represents about 3500km of running and if I am not interrupted, I will get there by May 2021.
(sources of information: www.reopen.europa.eu & french diplomatie website)

What about the rest of the world? Here is the situation on the other continents and countries that are on the plan of the world run (in the order I was intending to cross them): – again, caution: “as of today”!

  1. South East Asia: Currently it is not possible to enter the countries for tourism (unlikely to open in 2021)
  2. Australia: Currently it is not possible to enter the country for tourism (unlikely to open in 2021)
  3. New Zealand: Currently it is not possible to enter the country for tourism
  4. USA: Currently it is not possible to enter the country for tourism (even though I hold a ten years visa)
  5. Canada: Currently it is not possible to enter the country for tourism
  6. Chile: Possible to travel with a negative test and quarantine upon entry
  7. Argentina: Currently it is not possible to enter the country for tourism
  8. Uruguay: Currently it is not possible to enter the country for tourism
    (sources of information: www.travelbans.org & embassy websites & national papers)

I am now focused on making my way to Istanbul and concluding the crossing of Europe, the first continent of my world run. I am going to have to seriously consider the idea that come May 2021, I may have to go run on another continent based on whether it is open or not (as opposed to it being longitudinally consecutive to Europe, a rule of the WRA). Vaccination programs around the world may help improve the situation, whilst new variants of the virus may render efforts sterile. It’s too early to plan. I don’t want to make any rushed decision, as the evolution of the crisis is unpredictable. Let’s keep running and keep my options open.