Covid Captivity
I did a lot of travel this past fall in both Europe and North America. While the thought of catching COVID was certainly on my mind, for some reason it didn’t really worry me. What was more troublesome was finding a proper testing site that was offering the “right” test, arranging for the test within the “right” time period, and then crossing my fingers that the “right” results would arrive in time for my flight home! Heck, a negative test result by that time was a bonus!!
I recently had some friends of mine travel to Mexico for some much needed sun and surf. When their week in Mexico neared the end it was time for their COVID tests. The next day the results came in; the husband tested negative but his wife, Val tested positive! This is where you might say the bend in the trip begins!
Her husband decided it was best that he travel home while he still had his negative test result. Meanwhile his wife was moved to a nearby hotel used to house travellers whom have tested positive. The only request was that she could have an outside balcony so she could get a bit of fresh air and sunlight. Luckily her wish was granted; hearing of others not so lucky and being stuck in hotel basements without windows and balconies for fresh air. “COVID Hotel” has been Val’s home for the past 8 days with 3 more days left of quarantine- but who’s counting?!!
“COVID Hotel”was more than hospitable at the outset of her stay; offering the customary lobby “welcome drink” upon her arrival before being whisked away to her room and placed in captivity. Not planning on a “dry January” and not knowing where her next drink may come from, Val asked for doubles with extra takeout drinks to go! How modest of her. At that point I would have asked for the bottles!!
The days have been long and somewhat lonely but Val’s resiliency and amazing sense of humour have certainly made her quarantine more bearable. Dr Rodrigues does his daily telephone check ins. Day after day she reports to him of her lack of symptoms and updates him on her on-line Zumba class which continues to disappoint by the lack of male instructors! Dr Rodrigues seems amused by their conversations and half tempted to check out these Zumba classes himself!
The rest of the day is left to pacing her room in circles managing to get in her daily 10,000 steps, foraging for food, prospecting for other “COVID Hotel” captives whom she could possibly barter hotel items for booze and food, waiting for the 8pm fireworks display, and her most favourite activity of all; waiting for her “fair feather” friends who sneakily feast on her bread crumbs for rarely an exchange of any fine selfies.
Then there is the concierge who is MIA despite being on call and ready to serve! With the grocery store less than 150 steps from her front door it’s tempting to take matters into her own hands. But thoughts of another extension to her already extended Mexican vacation puts a damper on any creative escapee ideas.
Meanwhile the television needs fixing, the telephone is on the fritz, the towels and sheets need changing, and as you can see from her feet, the room needs a good cleaning. All of which seemed way less significant yesterday when she found out her front door was jammed shut and she was unable to open it. It took two Mexicans climbing up over her balcony using a sophisticated tool (kitchen knife) to pry open the front door. Luckily it wasn’t on her release day!!! Needless to say for now Val is extremely busy counting down the days, the hours, the minutes, the seconds until she is set free.
Travelling is grand but I have to admit-it’s presently a bit of a unknown gamble. You may end up with more of an adventure than you bargained for!
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