Hiking Adventures with the Dingi

 I'm sorry.

I kinda left you hanging there at the end of quarantine.

It's weird. I have found that while going through jet lag during our two week quarantine, both Carl and I experienced a second post-quarantine jet lag. All the same symptoms, but fortunately, it didn't last as long.

Which was good since, teacher prep week started four days after our release. In reality, I need more time than prep week allots, so I actually hit the ground just a day after.  I don't know if the general public is aware of this, but it takes a lot of work and time to create an inviting and fortifying educational environment.

Yesterday,  August 28 was the first Saturday I didn't need to spend extra time in my room preparing for the coming week. Yes! That felt so good.

That means time for Carl and me to spend on one of my favorite Taiwanese hobbies- hiking! If you like to hike, Taiwan is the place to be.

Since I was still recovering from a sprained ankle/foot, I searched for a trail with an easier ranking. It also needed to be relatively close since we had completed some of those necessary life chores earlier in the day (ie- laundry and the such).

The reviews said flat terrain and my mind said, "Bingo!" So onto the scooter we went and headed out to the outskirts of Taichung. By the way, I must ad, I love Google maps. It makes exploring so much easier!

It didn't take us long to realize that flat did not mean the absence of elevation. It just meant the absence of stairs. With in minutes, the sweat began to roll down my back. 

The Countdown

 Day 14

T minus 11.

We are in the last eleven hours of this 14 day quarantine.

Thank you covid-19.

Last night, I just couldn't fall asleep. I'm not positive, but it may have been the anticipation of returning to normal life. Despite being sleepy, my brain just kept whirling and twirling. Unfortunately, that makes for a very bad night of sleep.

Which makes for a very long day; a day that will extend into tomorrow. At exactly 12:01 am, we will officially be released.

 This will be me at 12:02 am.

Today seems to be the longest day of the last two weeks..

Packed and ready to escape, here I am twiddling my thumbs, watching the time slowly t i c k i n g away.

Here are some interesting numbers from our summer vacation.

1, 041 hours and 1 minute of captivity.

43 meals consumed within the walls of this room.

29 temperatures recorded.

26 hours in a car driving through various states

12 games of Shanghai Rummy

11 beds slept in. (The quarantine bed being the longest)

10 dogs petted and loved on.

8 airplane flights

5 covid tests

4 offspring visited

1 wedding

And that wedding was well worth all the hassles of travel and quarantine!

 I think I need a nap!

 

A Year Older

 Day 13:

Today is my birthday.

I am not the only one spending their birthday in quarantine. I know of several other lucky inmates who have ticked a year older while waiting out this quarantine thing.

Imagine being a kid and being locked up on your special day. Especially when it's one of those big birthdays, like becoming a teenager. Yesterday, one of my coworker's daughters celebrated her 13th birthday.... behind the closed doors of a hotel.

She was isolated, but not forgotten.

 Sometime in the afternoon, a flash mob unexpectedly appeared on the plaza below her hotel window. Armed only with loud music and dance moves, these Morrison community members transformed a run-of-the-mill quarantine day into a special memory.

This is why I love my community. The people I work with and live with go beyond the expected and look for opportunities to bless others!

I just wish I had been on the "outside" and had the opportunity to be a part of this blessing. 

I have been blessed, as well today by the same community. A delicious cake was delivered to my door. Next came balloons and a gorgeous flower arrangement. Many blessings came via the internet- birthday messages both written and video.

Being quarantined for 14 (it's really 15) days isn't fun, but when you are doing life within a loving and caring community, it's not so bad!

 

The Field Trip (aka Temporary Parole)

I woke up this morning with mixed emotions.

There was a generous dose of anticipation. For twelve days, this hotel room has been my existence. I wasn't even sure if I remembered how to get to the elevator.  In my defense, I had been traveling for over 40 hours without a significant stretch of sleep. I was on autopilot.  The picture below shows what we could see when opening the door to retrieve meals or other deliveries the last week and a half.

Besides the anticipation, there was also a boatload of excitement. Getting our final covid test means THE END is coming!   

But, mixed in with the anticipation and excitement was minuscule thread of anxiety. Another test. Another swab. Another sinus cavity invasion. Another chance of testing positive and having freedom yanked away. (That's so dramatic, but after 12 days, what would you expect?)  

Our friendly policeman told us yesterday that our test was scheduled for 10 am. He called again this morning at 8:30 to let us know the taxi was on its way. So much for appointments. Luckily, I was ready.

As I put on my shoes, it hit me that I haven't donned a pair of these the last eleven days.

It actually felt slightly strange. Foreign. Alien.

Then, the front desk called. The taxi was here. 

I had no idea our hallway was so long. Each red stool represents a traveler, a fellow inmate. Occasionally, I have heard the one next door. Riding down on the elevator, I glanced at the buttons to see how many floors were in this hotel. Fourteen. I knew there had to be at least one floor above us. Every day, I can hear thumping from above. Obviously, the result of someone exercising. 

On arrival to the lobby, we were directed outside where the taxi driver lightly misted us with an antibacterial solution.

The drive to the hospital was very short. If we were normal people, we could've easily walked. But, normal we are not. And neither was the hospital. Except for a very small emergency sign,  it looked like just another typical Taiwanese storefront establishment.

The very nice taxi driver took our health cards and registered us. After a short wait, we were given a bag with the test supplies and then led to a tent. Inside, a nurse dressed in scrubs and every other possible medical protection gear, stood behind a plexiglass wall. Her gloved hands reached through two holes.

My sinus cavity still hurts from the procedure. I won't go into details. I will say though that they have the process down. Two noses swabbed, vials safely tucked away, in less than 5 minutes!

On returning to the taxi, the driver paid our fee, drove us back to the hotel, sprayed us again, and in less than thirty minutes our foray into reality was over.

I miss outside. I miss doing life.

But, this is about to be distant memory. 

Double Digits

 Days 9 and 10:

We are in the double digits! 

I think I can safely say this is the beginning of the end. 

Hallelujah!

Today also marked the day we needed to once again prove that we are covid free. 

Three days before boarding our Taiwan bound plane, we visited an Ohioan CVS. From the comfort of our car, we completed test 1. It was negative.

After debarking from the last of our three flights, we were ushered into a portable cubicle and asked to spit into a plastic cup. Five millimeters worth. It also was negative.

Today's test was a self-administered rapid test.

It brought back memories of my child bearing years. 

All the emotions of not knowing, but almost knowing.

This may seem silly to some of you. It's just a covid test,  right? Not life changing like finding out you are pregnant. Being covid positive in the US in nothing like being covid positive in Taiwan. All individuals testing positive are taken directly to the hospital, placed in an isolation room, and remain there until they can test negative on three consecutive tests. 

No window with a view. No deliveries of yummy treats from friends.  No comfy bed. No nice shower. No Uber Eats. Hospital food.  (Need I go on?)

 It's not life changing, but it certainly would not be fun. And, to be honest, I am just ready to be home. So, yes, I got a little shaky. Of course, anytime you shove something up your own nose shakiness is a possibility.

Throughout the last nine days, my mind kept going back to the lady in the South Korea airport who kept sniffling and blowing her nose. What if? 

After swabbing, twirling, squeezing, dripping, and waiting, the test was complete. Once again, I was negative.

(Insert sigh of relief)

In two days, we get to go on a field trip. A special taxi will pick us up at the hotel and transport us to the closest hospital. There, the fourth and final covid test will be administered. If that also proves to be negative, we will be allowed to check out at 12:01 am Saturday.

Oh, what a glorious day that will be!

 

The Other Window

 Day 8:

    Today, I am very thankful for the internet.

I can't even imagine doing this thing called quarantine without this virtual "window".

Throughout the last 8 days I have been able to communicate with family and friends, both here in Taiwan as well as those on the other side of the world. Sometimes its written messages through Messenger and email. Other times it's face to face.

Through modern technology, I can virtually attend the services of our camp meeting, Camp Sychar, back in Ohio. Before moving to Taiwan, we never missed the ten day camp. It was one of our favorite places to be. If it wasn't for the need to quarantine, we would have been able to be there in person. But, it is what it is, and I am so thankful for the technology that allows me to be there. 

Since there is a twelve hour time distance, I get to start each day off right. The best thing about attending virtually is I get to wear my pjs!

Besides chatting and attending camp, I also used the internet today to watch some gymnastics, cycling, and beach volleyball at the Tokyo Olympics.

So while I appreciate the physical window here in my room, I also greatly appreciate this high tech window that lets me observe the "real" world!

  

Only 6 more sunsets before I am set free!

Half Way

 Day 7:

And that my friends, officially marks our half way point.

Seven days ago, with smiling faces, and hopeful hearts we entered our quarantine "paradise". Actually, we were exhausted, and at that point the only thing I wanted was a hot shower and a soft bed.

This was the last time Carl's feet were outside the room. The other day the hotel sent a message to all its occupants reminding us of the fine if we should choose to exit our rooms. No thank you. Quarantine is expensive enough!

See my lovely sticker? It proved I had followed all the appropriate steps at the airport and I was legally cleared for transportation. There was no question or doubt. This girl was marked for isolation.

At times, throughout the last seven days, I have thought about those incarcerated for one thing or another. Not necessarily those who committed a crime. We all know the consequences for breaking the law. But, more specifically, persecuted Christians or political prisoners- those who suffered or are suffering for having different beliefs than those in charge. 

Those cells were small, dark, and lacked any comforts of home. 

This hotel room is a mansion compared to prisons around the world. I am comfortable. I have a window. The internet. A bathroom with hot water, a rain forest shower,  a flushing toilet.  And....  I only have to do this for fourteen days.

Sometimes we have to be yanked out of our comfort zones to truly be grateful for what we do have.