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Hans-Peter PökelFrankfurt Airport June 16 - On the Way to BeirutOn March 18 2020, together with some colleagues I returned from Beirut to Germany due to the unexpected circumstances that reminded us of the importance of the smallest and even invisible things: the Corona virus had become a pandemic. Our departure took place with high safety measures in preparation of a national lockdown just a couple of hours before the only international airport in Lebanon closed. I was convinced that I would return soon. But I ended up spending more than three months in Berlin, where lockdown measures were just beginning when we arrived.After several attempts to get a seat on one of therepatriation flights to Lebanon, I finally succeeded to come back to Beirut inJune 2020 with the support of the German Embassy in Beirut. As expected, thetravel experience was exceptional and surreal. Since my flight was scheduledfor Tuesday late night from Frankfurt, I had to arrange for the mandatoryCorona-test valid only 72 hours before my arrival in Beirut. Waiting in hopeand uncertainty for 24 hours to get the negative result was nerve-wrecking, andI only got the confirmation one and a half hour before my flight was scheduled.I then rushed to the airport with a mixed feeling ofexpectation and uncertainty. The Tegel-Airport had changed a lot and lookedvery different: The entrance was permitted only to a particular terminal thatwas quite crowded. Wearing a face mask was mandatory in the whole airport and evenon the whole flight, which was fully booked, but of course with empty seats toensure social distancing. Nevertheless, I felt happy because after a long periodof self-isolation I found myself surrounded by others who probably had similarexperiences.The airport in Frankfurt gave me a completely different image.Although several terminals were open I walked with some disorientation over longdistances without seeing anybody in a place that is normally crowded. Afterboarding the plane I felt relaxed, and although I was not sure what to expect atmy arrival I was looking forward to be back in Lebanon.We landed in Beirut late at night and I was directly askedat the plane exit to show my negative PCR test. A well-structured procedure of contactdetails recording by representatives of the Lebanese Ministry of Health followed.Then a young physician surrounded by officials from the Ministry of Health tookmy temperature before I was finally allowed to head to the regular passportcontrol. We exited the airport through the empty arrival hall that is normally crowdedwith friends, families and relatives waiting for their loved ones. I had calledmy trusted taxi driver in advance who picked me up outside and drove throughBeirut without any problems during a night curfew. I was incredibly relievedafter having finally arrived on June 17 at my final destination to return tothe familiarity of my neighborhood. I am spending the time since my return inmandatory self-quarantine for two weeks, which is controlled by the LebaneseMinistry of Health by random telephone calls and personal visits, and I ameager to return to something we now call normality.