September 3, 8:30 a.m., Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport , Constanța County . You wouldn't think so, but the small airport on the seashore is actually a main gateway to many destinations around the world. The morning flight connecting Istanbul Airport, operated by Turkish Airlines , opens up hundreds of travel possibilities to the most interesting places in the world. For us, it was the first flight to a trip across the Atlantic Ocean, a vacation scheduled since 2019, but turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic.
Documents required to enter the United States of America
From the start, consider that for tourist travel, the anti-covid vaccine, the full schedule, is mandatory, performed at least 14 days before leaving for the trip. Then, the PCR test – with a negative result – performed no more than 72 hours before the time of travel. Be careful, also calculate the flight time so that it is still valid when you land in the United States of America . And wait, the list is not over! Before you start your trip, download the CDC online form HERE, fill it out at home and then print it. Yes, it is mandatory to have a “hard copy” with you even if you saved it online. And you must also have printed copies for the European Certificate of Vaccination, even if you saved them online. And, the last form completed was the one for entry into California. You have the access link HERE . And last but not least, you need a visa 😊
We were asked for all the documents both when boarding the race from Mihail Kogălniceanu and when transferring from Istanbul to Los Angeles. And the transfer can be described exactly like the photo below, taken on the run.
Although you have two hours to get to the boarding gate for the Los Angeles race, Istanbul's airport is so big that you only have time for a cigarette before your flight if you're racing against the clock. You will go through security filters again and your hand luggage will be checked, but you will also be subject to a body check.
First trip in business class!
And how this holiday was constantly in doubt, especially as the travel conditions changed from day to day, the announcement from Turkish Airlines that we had been selected for a free upgrade to business class for the entire flight Constanța - Los Angeles, was the first sign that everything would be perfect. Fearing that we didn't seem to fit in with those accustomed to such travel conditions, we took several photos of ourselves in the massage chairs.
Afterwards, we thoroughly enjoyed the fresh mint lemonade prepared in front of us by a bartender, but we also enjoyed a spectacular port wine. Then the menu is perfect! Appetizer – shrimp, lobster salad, smoked salmon and smoked trout.
The suite of employees, assigned only to the business class sector, does an exemplary job. After 14 hours of flight, with many hours of sleep on a relaxing armchair-bed, I promised myself that if I plan more vacations thousands of kilometers away, I will raise money for such services.
Welcome to the USA! Why this year?
And the hours passed easily and we woke up with the message "Welcome to Los Angeles! Local time is 17.00.” We prepared our set of documents, presented ourselves at the customs counter, and a blond Pole began to untie us. Why on vacation, why this year, but why did you come…. He was convinced that I came with peaceful thoughts the moment I showed him the return tickets.
PS: I wrote these lines from the Renaissance Los Angeles lounge, the hotel that hosted us for the first night, but also where I realized that we were not the only Romanians in the premises. Two tables away, three “guys” originally from Bucharest (that’s how they introduced themselves when I greeted them in Romanian), but with a Moldovan accent, were threatening to set someone’s car on fire 😊
I forgot... we are close to the border with Mexico , an area where thousands of immigrants arrive illegally in the US.
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