It seems hard to believe that just over a month ago, we were in Malaque, Mexico, worried about nothing more than where the closest Pina Colada could be found and deciding which taco stand to go to for dinner.  While we enjoyed lazy afternoons gazing out at the water and watching sail boats coming and going, we thought ahead to our hopes for bringing Solstice there – with hopes to arrive in Mexico in late 2021.

In the few weeks that we have been back, it feels like we have slipped into the Twilight Zone.  At the time we were coming home, the Covid Virus was a distant idea – something that was happening on another continent.  We were aware of the need to wash our hands and wipe down surfaces on the plane – more out of concern that someone who had traveled through the same areas we were travelling may have come from one of the countries were Covid was actually a concern.

When we got home it started to become a bit more real but it wasn’t until I tried to do a first shop after I got back that it hit home – when I stood agape in front of the empty racks where once the toilet paper would have been stocked!!  People were panicking – stores were getting wiped out and the fear of the virus was becoming real.

And then they started to shut down events and then sports – first basketball (meh) – and then, dear god no! – hockey!!!  Just as my beloved Oilers were making a final push to the cup for the first time in years, the NHL season was suspended indefinitely.  Soon thereafter, most other events were cancelled or postponed.

The sailing season started next – regatta after regatta posting that the races were cancelled this year.  Rendezvous are not happening and marinas are closed to transient moorage.  The Gulf Islands are asking that no one comes to visit to protect their vulnerable population in light of their limited medical services and access to supplies.

Just yesterday BC Ferries cancelled one of the major routes to the mainland for 60 days and cut service on may other routes.

We now find ourselves, about 3 weeks into true shut down – we are still working – both of our jobs being considered essential services (we probably wouldn’t consider our jobs to be essential but…).  We do consider ourselves lucky that we don’t have the added stress of worrying about mortgage payments.  We also don’t have car payments to be made or credit card debt which allows us a bit of comfort in case we do see a reduction in our income as this situation proceeds.

For the first couple of weeks, while we lived in a state of complete limbo – not sure if our jobs would be shut down or if we would be ordered confined to the house for weeks, I lived in a state of stress so high that I could barely function!  Sleep was not an option – as soon as I lay down, my brain would start going in hyper drive – and then came the week of REM – every time I tried to go to sleep – the song “It’s the end of the world as we know it” by REM popped into my head – I probably hadn’t heard that song in 15 years before that but suddenly it was stuck on repeat!

At this point, I am a bit more resigned to the idea that we are going to be “social distancing” for some time yet.  Knowing that in all likelihood, I will be working throughout makes it a bit more doable.   I am however entirely tired of cooking – I soo want to go sit in one of our favorite restaurants and order a nice dinner that someone else cooks and, perhaps more importantly, someone else cleans up!!

My bigger concern now is our future plans.  As countries all over the world lock down their borders, and as we hear reports that this could take 18 months to 2 years to resolve, it makes me realize that our dreams of sailing away next spring may not come to fruition.  It breaks my heart to think that we might not be able to head out – though any delay would be just that – a delay – we will still go – I just hope it is as scheduled.

For the time being though – we will stick to the house (or the boat – luckily we are still able to take her off the dock though most places around us are asking people to not visit so any trips out would be just to go drop the anchor and enjoy a few days of peace).    Our Province is making great strides in flattening the curve and hopefully the news will continue to be good.

This is a weird time to make a return to blogging I suppose, but I needed to get my thoughts on paper and wanted to have this a reminder, when things are more normal and we are looking back, that we should not take for granted the ability to be able to visit with friends, hug loved ones and explore the world!

Take care and keep safe!