Life in the time of COVID-19 with MTA’s Sue Basedow

This week, we interviewed MTA’s Sue Basedow to try and convince her to make us some of her famous rhubarb friands. Sadly, we were unsuccessful.

What are you reading?

Saga Land written by Richard Fidler and Kari Gislason. This is a book with true stories about the first Vikings in Iceland.

I was actually in Iceland last September. Whilst reading the book, it transports me back to all the beautiful areas in Iceland that I have seen firsthand, enabling me to become more absorbed in the stories.

What are you watching?

The Capture on the ABC. It’s a thrilling drama which the poms do well!

What are you listening to?

David Gray’s White Ladder. An oldie but a goodie!

What are you cooking?

I LOVE COOKING! My Thermomix and oven are getting an extra-good work out of late. Currently, the number one requested item in my household is my rhubarb friands. They are delicious if I do say so myself!

How are you staying fit both physically and mentally?

I am staying fit physically with a very early (and long) daily morning walk with my 18-month-old dog who has one speed: go! I live two streets away from a national park, so I get my outdoor nature fix on a regular basis which I love, being a girl from the country. And besides, being outside in nature is soooooo good for the soul.

I am staying fit mentally by keeping positive and counting my daily blessings. I’m a glass-half-full type of gal.

Currently, I am LOVING the slower pace of life. I am treating this as my early long-service leave, but without the exotic destination or sexy pool boy!

I also have a dear friend who keeps sending me very funny COVID-19 related emails daily, which gives me a damn good belly laugh.

What’s the one thing keeping you sane?

By keeping upbeat and positive and focusing on what is most important during this terrible time, which is keeping well.

When it is time to explore our big wide world again, I know that I will value my travel experiences more deeply along with feeling privileged to be able to roam freely.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

I have received so many lovely emails and phone calls from clients and friends wanting to know how I am, which has really touched me. There is so much love in the world in time of need.

I have loved witnessing the daily kindness people are giving to neighbours and strangers worldwide. I do honestly believe that the world will be a kinder place once this is all behind us.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

That I CAN slowdown, which has never been in my DNA!

I have also realised that earning the big bucks is insignificant. I have food, shelter, good health, and a loving family – everything else during this current time is a bonus.

What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the crisis?

That there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Keep positive, enjoy this quiet time with loved ones, smell the roses, clean up your email inbox and files that you have wanted to for years, finish that jigsaw, sort your travel photos … and be ready for the travel booking onslaught when normality returns, which it will!

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Life in the time of COVID-19 midweek interview mta Sue Basedow