Quarantine Day 19:
I love sunrise in Panama. I live on the edge of the jungle with views of the Pacific Ocean. I can see the ships lining up to get into the mouth of the Panama Canal. The birds are noisy–chirping and cawing to welcome the new day.
We are fortunate to be where we are during this crazy time in our world’s history. We have fresh food, a beautiful view, and great weather. Panama has been hit by the virus … but not as hard as other countries. Panama took early action–a full quarantine–and our curve is flattening.
I haven’t left my apartment in 19 days, but I’m not going stir crazy. I love being at home when life is normal, so it’s not that much different for me during these abnormal times. I cook. I read. I blog. I create videos. I work. And best of all, I get to spend time with my husband. During high season in Panama, my husband and I are too busy to have dinner together most nights. We often see each other for less than 15 minutes each day (time when we are both awake and alone with one another).
Quarantine for us has been a time to talk and reconnect. To hold hands. To watch an entire movie together without one of us falling asleep from exhaustion. To have a complete conversation without being interrupted 17 times by texts and phone calls. I am grateful I am happy with my quarantine companions–my husband and our two white fluffy puppies.
Panama’s full quarantine means:
- You can only leave your home for 2 hours, three times per week.
- Men and women go out on opposite days so the authorities can regulate the quarantine restrictions more easily.
- The time you can leave your home depends on the last digit of your ID. If you’re a non-citizen, this applies to your passport, even if you’re a full legal resident like we are and have the national ID called a cedula.
- No one can go out on Sunday. Period.
- Only one person per car.
- Taxis cannot travel every day; they are also regulated by certain days of the week depending on their license plate number.
- No alcohol. Yes, you read that right… no alcohol. Panama did this so people would save money, and to hopefully prevent domestic abuse.
No alcohol for sale in Panama means until the quarantine is lifted, my blogs will be a bit different. I will use older photos. I will use stock photos. I’ll describe tastes from memory. Please bear with me. These are challenging times.
Whenever I get anxious, I go outside and look at the ocean. I listen to the birds. I piddle with my balcony garden.
We will get through this. We won’t be unscathed. Unfortunately, we will lose friends and family members and colleagues. As of today, 61,144 people have died. That means 61,144 families have been forever altered. We will lose jobs, and we will lose savings…but we WILL get through this. Have faith. When this is over, we will rise from the ashes of our grief, and we will rebuild. Hopefully, when we do, we will be more grateful, more humble, more caring.
Stay safe, my friends. Find something every day to be grateful for.
Cheers,
Melissa
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