'Coming Out Party' During COVID 19

Now, I'm sure many of you looked at the title of this blog and wondered "What the hell is Susan up to now?" I am just trying to get through this pandemic and come out the other side like everyone else! It took a couple of days after my mandatory quarantine before I had a party to celebrate and it was only myself and my partner who celebrated with all this going on.

On a bigger scale I got an audio message yesterday from a young friend in Spain who received many congratulatory messages from friends on this side of the world in the last couple of days. The media announced Spain was opening up again and people were returning to work. That's not the case. Construction and factory workers are going to be integrated back into the workforce very slowly in certain areas where the pandemic has slowed. Everyone else is still under strict lockdown in Spain. She, as a parent, can't even take their child for a walk because the government still feels it is too dangerous. I can only pray that we never reach a point in this pandemic in Canada that parents are told by our government that can't take their children for a walk.

I don't know how I would have reacted if I was told I couldn't go outside after my 2 week mandatory quarantine was over. I do pretty well on my own and can spend time by myself for periods of time but the 2 weeks of social isolation were frustrating for me. I couldn't even have personal contact with my partner (he is running a business and couldn't go into quarantine with me) or any of my friends........ I understood why but it still wasn't easy.

It felt strange when the mandatory quarantine was over and even though I knew it was okay, I actually experienced a fear of integrating back into society. "How would I handle going to the bank or grocery store? Would I follow the rules? Now, anyone who knows me knows I don't break rules easily unless I think they are unfair. I consider the options and make my decision based on facts.

I had my face mask and decided that I would use plastic rather than money to purchase anything. The reason for that was when I arrived back in Canada and picked up the car left for me at the airport, I couldn't use cash to pay for the vehicle parking. I entered the grocery store and was surprised that I was only one of a handful of people wearing a mask. The store had supplied hand sanitizer and gloves at the door, which I put on. Again, there were only a few people who had done the same thing. Most people were good about 'social distancing'  and the store had circles for people to stand on as they prepared to pay. I noticed that the few people using masks were around the same age as me.

I am a 'baby boomer.' I've grown up in a generation and a country where women fought for many freedoms and won. We have the right to dress the way we want, to be paid the same as our male counterparts for doing equal work, to make decisions about our bodies, to travel by ourselves anywhere in our country, and to go into a beer parlor without an escort (I'm really aging myself)!

In Canada men and women have the right to congregate, the right to integrate, and the right to freedom of speech and movement. Suddenly, I am being told not to congregate, and my movement has become limited. I am a strong woman but this has thrown me for a loop. "Is everything going to  be okay?" I didn't know. I survived reentry into into a world of strangers at the grocery store. How would my friends feel about reconnecting in person?" My question was soon answered and I found out friends were afraid, afraid of what was happening, afraid of the changes in our world. We haven't the freedom right now to even get together with our friends to enjoy a meal or watch the sunset!

Friends getting together in Puerto Vallarta before Social Distancing

I know I will follow most of the rules set out in this pandemic but there are some I disagree with. I agree that physical distancing is very necessary to control this virus. I understand that gathering closely together in groups can be detrimental if there isn't enough space to physically distance! But now, more than any other time in my history, connection with others beyond social media, is so necessary.

At my age, I disagree with the idea of complete social isolation. I think visiting with one or two others at a time is healthy and necessary. Younger people may say to the older generation "well, get on social media!" but some baby boomers haven't even switched from a landline to a cell-phone yet!

I think we need to keep connections with older friends and families. If you aren't doing so already, give them a shout every few days just to be sure they are not isolating too much and encourage them to keep in touch with their friends. I know some people may disagree with me but maybe consider getting together for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, for your or their mental health! Bring your own cup or glass and your own snack and make sure you have some hand sanitizer and a mask if necessary..... but have a visit and catch up!

Physical distancing of 6 feet or more is fine and can be done in the back yard or even the living room. Social isolation, especially amongst many of the older generation, is not fine! Baby boomers are members of a helping society, and many of us were taught by our parents who survived WW11, and a polio epidemic as well as a tuberculosis outbreak. We were raised to help our neighbours, feed the hungry, be there to listen, and look after the elderly. We know our children are worried that we may contract COVID 19 but to be 'locked down in social isolation' is against many of our beliefs and values as a baby boomer society.
Thank you For Being a Friend

The other thing I don't agree with is that families shouldn't go to their cabin if they have one. Even the Canadian Prime Minister went to spend time with his family at their other residence on Easter weekend. I am not saying it is right that people can hang out at the beach because it's sunny, especially if they do not have any regard for physical distancing. But if families want to get together at a family cabin, I think they should go for it! Just set the rules up before you go so everyone is safe. It's healthy and a decision people can make knowing they will also keep their family members healthy if they do so. Also, the family cabin may be the only way that younger family members can afford to live after losing their job.

Susan Gerle is a 70 year old 'Baby Boomer,' a writer and blogger, a mother and grandmother, and currently an armchair traveler waiting for the world to open up once again!

4 Ways to Survive Quarantine During COVID19

I am in Day 6 of mandatory quarantine after flying home from Mexico to Canada and I'm not particularly enjoying it! First of all it is -2 degrees celsius but at least the sun is out this morning. TV is far too accessible here and I've had to wean myself to a couple times a day from all the information.

Things that are normally easy for me to do, like my morning writing, are difficult to get into right now. I understand it is the stress that is causing this and I will gradually get past it. How am I going to survive this?

I had to take a look at what my life normally looked like before all this happened because I had a daily schedule. So how am I, and you, going to get back on track? I will say right now that I am lucky because I am already retired. I don't suddenly have to put up with job loss or my spouse at home 24/7 or my children underfoot the same amount of time. If you are currently transitioning into a new way of living, write down your old daily schedule first. This will give you a base to start with as you replace things on your old list.

1. Write down my old daily schedule
I normally wake up at 6, make the coffee, and do a bit of deep breathing and make my list for what I am grateful for. l am doing well right now if I put 3 things on that list! Then I read any emails and facebook posts that came in during the night and answer them if required while I drink my first cup of coffee. This happens whether I am in Mexico or Canada.
I have a book I am currently reading and using as a daily journal. 'Born for Love' by Leo Buscaglia is something I read daily 12 years ago and I decided to read again starting January 24th, 2020. Of course, I had no idea what would happen in our world shortly after I began. As I am writing this blog I realize my book was still in the suitcase I have yet to unpack. I found it quickly and caught up. One thing that really resonated with me is today's reading. We all have the opportunity to 'reignite our enthusiasm for life' as a child would right now. When is the last time you took 10 minutes to just sit and watch an ant or a bird go about their daily life.....10 minutes that you aren't stressing out with what is going on? 
'We have the opportunity to reclaim that small part of ourselves that finds joy in the commonplace and adventure in each moment. It may be buried under a thick crust of gloom, but it is still very much alive within us all.' Leo Buscaglia
It is time to pour my 2nd cup of coffee!

2. Question - Am I an extrovert or an introvert?
"Please don't talk to me before 8 AM. In fact, I'm happy if you don't talk to me before 10 AM!"  I am an introvert, although people who know me might argue that statement with me. Even though I am social, I need to have a number of 'alone times' during the day in order to re-energize. If you are an introvert and are suddenly deluged with a stay-at-home spouse and/ or children you may feel like you are going crazy and ready to move out!
It is SO important to figure out what times during the day you absolutely must hide out or, in the case of an extrovert, must have social connection with others. If you live with someone else, please sit down right now and have a discussion about your needs.....otherwise your relationship might not survive what is going on.

3. Eat Healthy - Important!

I've gone through a process the last few days of re-integrating into Canada from Mexico and this has included changing my diet. In Mexico, I'd start my early day with a sweetbread and coffee and then eat breakfast about 10:30 AM. I would follow with a mid-day meal about 2 PM and have appies around 7 PM. I'm trying to do the same here.
The first few days of social distancing, even before leaving Mexico, I realized I was imbibing in one too many alcoholic drinks, something that wasn't normal for me. I forgave myself and have scaled back to a glass of red wine with my appies each evening.
It's so important right now to eat well and enjoy eating. If you have never been much of a cook maybe take it up as a new hobby or order in a special meal at least once a week. If you love specialty coffee, buy it. If you enjoy a particular wine for a special occasion, have that special occasion at least twice a week. I like baking but I like eating my baking too which could be a problem when I'm not able to get outside and walk it off! What I am doing instead is mixing up cookie dough and throwing it in the freezer for later. If I really need some cookies I can take a small chunk out and cook up half a dozen.
Whatever you have for dinner make it a special occasion by 'presenting' the meal by using garnishes or sauces, just like you get when you are eating out. That slice of orange or even a dill pickle served on the side can add to the look of your meal.

4. Stay in contact with friends and colleagues
Now, more than any other time in history, it is so important to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues, especially those you are normally in contact with daily, weekly, or monthly. This can also help the extroverts out there when they are going through isolation so they don't drive the introverts in their household crazy. Bill Withers died today but his song will live on, especially now.
Lean on Me
I made a list of the people who I normally connect with during the week and will continue to phone or whatsapp or messenger them. When we have the term 'isolation' in our heads we sometimes carry that to another level because we don't want to bother people. BOTHER PEOPLE PLEASE!!!!! Even if it is just a 5 minute, "hi, how are you?" it may be the only time they talk to someone that day.
If you are used to meeting up with a group, get your group online. Wednesday afternoon I was invited to a wine and appy meet-up with a group of local women. Thursday afternoon I met up with a group that gets together twice a month at a pub. it was great to see people. we even invited a couple of people from out of country. It was also a reason to get out of my pyjamas! The platform we are using is Zoom

It's a crazy time! Stay safe everyone.

Susan Gerle is a traveler, writer, teacher, mother, and grandmother. Please feel free to share her posts with others or sign up to get her new blog posts.

In Mandatory Quarantine in BC, Canada

No more palm trees, not for awhile anyway!

A friend gave me shit for not wearing my mask on the flight coming home from Puerto Vallarta to Canada. I realized as soon as I got on the 'petri dish' of an airplane that nothing would protect me if I was prone to getting covid 19 so I left it tucked in my safe ziploc bag. I dug it out of the protective ziploc bag when I got off my final flight in Kelowna, BC, Canada and walked down the ramp. I knew there would be people waiting to meet their loved ones, still innocent to the fact that this virus was rampant throughout the world.

No one was there to meet me though, even though some of my family lives in Kelowna. I wasn't taking any chances of infecting those who cared about me. Also, my son is self-isolating because his wife is a front line worker. I made arrangements for a vehicle to be left at the airport for me with the keys inside. I had made the same arrangements with my daughter in Vancouver had the government stopped me there and not allowed me to go any further.

It was a sad, lonely ride home. Luckily our home is set up in such a way that my partner could turn it back into a safe 'duplex,' as it was set up when I first met him. He is not in self-isolation with me as he is still running his business and has to keep his employees safe. My apartment had been stocked with groceries by my partner's daughter, enough to last a month. Hopefully the mandatory quarantine will end in two weeks as long as I don't show any symptoms of the virus.

The first thing I did was mix up bleach water and spray all the counters down that I would be touching. Then I made something to eat and contemplated how my life would look the next couple of weeks. I was used to being on my own and had been in Mexico for two months by myself but hadn't been restricted in my movements. Canada had put protective rules in place so I couldn't even go outside for a walk by myself because I had traveled internationally. I live in a complex that has shared, public access so I have no choice but to stay inside.

I'm not the only one that I know currently in self-isolation. Other friends have also returned from international travel and are counting the days until their quarantine ends. This is going to be my life for the next two weeks. Gone is the heat and sunshine and the ocean breezes of Puerto Vallarta and the freedom to go for a walk. It isn't going to be easy but I know I can do it.

The saving grace of being in quarantine right now is the ability to keep in touch with everyone I know through internet and social media. Even my interaction with my partner is still through whatsapp at the moment or sitting on opposite sides of a wall talking to each other. It's a difficult time but I'm attempting to get back to somewhat normal in this new reality!

For instance, I have been involved in what we call 'choir practice' with a group of people for a number of years in Kelowna, BC, Canada. We don't ever sing....we get together at a pub and have a drink or two once every 2 weeks and visit. It's been going on since around 1992....and now it's not, because of what's happening right now. Last year we even started a 'northern chapter' that meets on alternate weeks in Vernon. I will be contacting everyone today to set up choir practice again by way of the platform 'Zoom.' Hopefully a number of people will join in. On Wednesday I am also invited to a wine and appy get-together on Zoom with a group of women in town which should be fun.

I thought about a young friend living in Spain, a country that is in complete lockdown right now. They can't even go out for a walk as a family. Only one person can leave their home at a time, to get groceries and prescriptions or go for a medical appointment. If they are caught outside they will be heavily fined. We are used to staying in contact through social media and will continue to do so.

I also just talked to a friend in Puerto Vallarta as I was writing this. Mexico has supposedly extended their self-isolation for another month beginning today. I am trying to find out more information about this so more to follow! Stay safe everyone wherever you are in the world!

6 Steps to Prepare for Mandatory Quarantine in Canada

I am getting ready to fly out of Puerto Vallarta on Friday and mentioned to my neighbour that I would have to find a mask to take with me. A minute later she came out carrying one, but not just any mask, an N95 mask complete with a front filter. I felt like a kid the had just been given a red flyer wagon or a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. This was the ultimate in facemasks!

I asked her why she had it and she explained it was for her art work. She is a sculptor and this particular type of mask keeps her from breathing in the very small dust particles from the clay.
"I was given a few masks from a friend in Australia when he came to visit a couple of years ago," she said. "He is a fireman and these are the type of masks they use over there," as she handed me one.
I found it interesting that a mask that came from Australia was now going to keep me safe traveling from Mexico to Canada.
Or would it?
The Canadian government is telling me to come home but continue to social distance before and after. In order to get home I have to go to a very crowded airport where social distancing is not currently happening. Then I have to get on a crowded plane with 280 other people, who may or may not have the virus, and spend another 5 hours in the air with them.
Three weeks ago when this all began coming down, I had my friend in Canada arrange a flight out for me. He originally booked me on a flight for March 20th but the airline moved my flight up to March 27th, otherwise I would already be home without any severe restrictions in place.
As of yesterday, the Canadian government has changed the goalposts which I understand had to be done to keep everyone safe. Once I arrive in Vancouver on my crowded plane, I understand that I will be put in quarantine for 14 days under the government's mandate, but they aren't sure where they are going to put me yet.
Hopefully I will continue on to Kelowna. I was originally scheduled to fly there after a 2 hour layover in Vancouver but now I am spending the night in "Airport Chateau Vancouver" (thank you for the new name of the airport, Gail) and I will fly out on Saturday morning now.
The government is telling me when I get to my destination (wherever that is) I will be on complete lockdown, unable to even get outside for a walk...... or I will be subject to huge fines. Hopefully that will change or I will go stir crazy!
That makes me laugh because people who haven't got a job to return to when they get off the plane won't have the money to pay a fine.
Supposedly A&W and Tim Horton's have remained open in Vancouver International for fliers so I won't starve.

I am currently making my arrangements to return home. They include:
1. Draw out my 6 foot social distancing cloth, ready for my trip to the Puerto Vallarta airport tomorrow.

2. Get in touch with family so they can begin making arrangements for my stay either in Vancouver or my home town of Vernon, however far I get. This will require a vehicle to get from the airport, disinfected groceries for a week or two, someplace to stay that will keep everyone safe.
3. Gather information. The number that Canadians out-of-country in Mexico can call for more information about mandatory quarantine is 001-204-983-3500. Within Canada the number is 1-833-784-4387. Canadian Border Services (in Canada) is 1-800-461-9999.
4. Listen to the news and find out what the Canadian prime minister is saying this morning and whether the goalposts have changed yet again.
5. Pack my dinner for the plane because I gather there will be no food or drink services available.
6. Line up sanitisers, ie; hand sanitisers and sani-wipes.

Our world is dealing with an unprecedented event that we have to overcome anyway we can. I would rather stay here in the sunshine but I know the covid 19 has already made it's way here too. I can only hope that all my friends who stay behind stay safe! Enjoy this song first sung 35 years ago. We can beat this!

We Are The World!

(Susan Gerle is a writer who lives 6 months of the year in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in a very traditional Mexican neighbourhood.) 

Corona in Puerto Vallarta - Lockdown

I am in the 4th day of a 5 day lockdown suggested by the Governor of Jalisco, the state where Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is located. The last few days I have been doing 'Armchair' travel and the only actual travel I may be doing anytime soon is to get on a plane to fly home from Mexico to BC, Canada, if I can get out of the country. Even though I have a scheduled ticket doesn't mean the plane will be able to fly.

Sunset in Puerto Vallarta

Before this Covid 19 all started a group of us were planning a trip to Morocco and Egypt in September. I was going to have a drink at Rick's Cafe in Casablanca, a moment of memory from the Humphrey Bogurt, Ingrid Bergman movie 'Casablanca.' It is interesting that when I did my research I found out the cafe was only a recreation of the set design for the 1930s movie. The cafe didn't open until 2004 but the owners have brought to life a memory for many from a much more innocent time. A duplicate of the piano from the film sits in the corner and people can request the pianist to play the song made famous 'As Time Goes By.'

I was hoping to go to Spain before arriving or after leaving North Africa to visit a young friend who had just moved to Malaga from Mexico with her husband and young son. They arrived a few days before the country was completely locked down. It has been difficult for them because the neighbourhood is brand new and all their friends and family live elsewhere in the world. 

One of our travel group just flew back from Australia to Canada yesterday after floundering in a cruise ship on the high seas between Australia and New Zealand, waiting to land somewhere, anywhere, so she could fly home in the middle of this pandemic. Another couple I know flew in yesterday from Portugal after spending most of their holiday trying to leave a country they went to enjoy.

In November, I had plans to take my daughter and granddaughter to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City, something that has been on my bucket list since I was a little girl. I booked a room in a hotel on Times Square and was already scoping out enclosed bus stops on the parade route so that I could take ownership of one at 4 AM on parade day. We also planned to take in a couple of Broadway shows while there.

In 2021, two other friends and myself were thinking about a trip to Ireland to celebrate one of their 70th birthday. Her mother was born in Ireland but she had never been there, nor had I. It was a good reason to go and while I was there I planned to continue on to Scotland and England. 

I have put all the things on my bucket list on hold, suddenly. Not for the usual reasons, health or lack of money which often stops people from carrying out their plans. The world itself has stopped me from my travels! 

My world of travel has changed so much in just a few days. I can visit the beautiful and exciting places I want to see online but it's not the same as actually being there. I can watch live concerts and plays performing on Broadway online, but it isn't like sitting in a seat in the theatre, sharing popcorn with a friend. This is my new reality.

We are currently in a war with the tiniest of enemies and yet it has the strength to take everyone of us down! It is in the process of grounding every plane as airlines scramble to repatriate people to their home countries before they lock down too and allow their staff to heal from Covid 19, now rampant in the travel world.

I reconnected with an old acquaintance yesterday via facebook video messenger. He is in New Zealand, disappointed that he won't be doing the cruise he planned to see St. Petersburg. It sounds as though he may go into full lockdown in his country as early as today. I talked to him face to face as well as two other people living 140 km apart on Vancouver Island off the coast of BC, Canada. Our connection with one another was a longtime friend of mine who died suddenly last summer. I was talking to her cousin, her longest childhood friend, and her son.

Of course, the talk quickly got around to what was transpiring in our various parts of the world right now and how it was affecting all of us, especially mentally, emotionally and even physically and spiritually. I am gradually accepting what is happening around me, knowing I can't fix it. I can't control what is happening to my world but I can control how I respond to it.

The first few days I went through some heavy grieving, grieving for the world I knew that would never be the same, at least in my lifetime. I was waking up during the night, in tears but not understanding what was happening. It was affecting my ability to sleep and I felt my body panicking and anxious,.

Grief - We are suddenly dealing with a way of living that some have never had to deal with before...isolation.

We are grieving, going through the steps with denial, anger, bargaining, depression, not necessarily in that order. It's a lot to take in right now. Some of us will move through the grieving quickly, others will really struggle with the process. Eventually, some of us will accept what is happening.

We are social beings needing touch and communication. In a world where 85% of communication is nonverbal, how are we going to meet those needs in lockdown?Many people are still in the denial or anger stage but for those already into the next stage it is important to reassess how we will handle what is happening. Are we prepared to handle self-isolation? What has always been an important part of our lives, will it be very difficult to give up for a month or two?
Phones and social media may become our only contact with others if we are by ourselves. Whatsapp and messenger will allow us to talk and see but not touch.Astronauts going to space and isolating go through rigorous psychological testing and are given tools to deal with the depression that comes with what they are going through.It is difficult to deal with and get through the isolation, especially if a person is on their own.Many of our daily coping tools are already being removed; the morning coffee get together, playing pickle ball or tennis.... or in the north, going skiing, going to the pub/ bar daily to have a drink, watching all the sports on TV, going out to dinner once a week with friends, going to a movie or a play.

Life is different now.

Physically - even going out walking with a friend right now looks strange, social distancing, 6 feet apart, and that's only if the country is not under full lockdown. Before the 5 day lockdown was put into place here, I went for a walk with a girlfriend, again keeping to the 6 foot distance. I was having a conversation with her but giggled a couple of times with the looks I got from locals wondering who on earth I was talking to.

Mentally and emotionally - in a place like Puerto Vallarta where the culture allows and encourages besos y abrazos (kisses and hugs) things have changed drastically. Suddenly, basic needs aren't being met. People are also struggling with emotions that are normally not there. Fear and anxiety are possibly causing emotional outbreaks like anger and crying. This is the first morning I have awakened without crying and it was such a relief to reach that point. Also, a few days into this pandemic, I quickly realized I was drinking a lot more than normal. I like a social drink occasionally but when I have beer, wine AND tequila all in the same day that isn't me. It took time to accept what was happening inside of me and how I was dealing with things.

Spiritually - I am going through a shift too. I have always believed in a higher power but for many years haven't been involved in organized religion nor do I want to be. I find I am listening to more music now that is associated with the church music of my youth because it is soothing. I considering spirituality a bargaining tool, helping me think a different way.

Hopefully life will get back to normal one day but In the meantime we have to accept our new reality. We can still meet and converse in person in our own homes..... just keep to the social distancing. Last night my neighbour joined me for dinner. We usually hug and do the cheek kiss when we meet, now I leave the door open and place myself at a 'safe' distance. I didn't pass the food around. We each helped ourselves. After talking with my daughter today I have to take the entertaining a step farther. We prepare and bring our own meals. The only thing we should be sharing is our company, 6 feet away from one another!

Please share this post and reach out to others who are alone. If you can, talk to them on video through skype or facebook messenger or whatsapp. Otherwise, phone them, reach out anyway you can.

(Susan Gerle is a writer who lives in a very Mexican neighbourhood in Puerto Vallarta at least 6 months of the year. Her other home is in Vernon, BC, Canada)