uio-bound in the time of covid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dated December 18) 

We had to cancel our long-planned trip to the Big Island over the holiday season as the test and quarantine regulations became too stringent to comply prior to the trip.

"Why don't we go to Quito?" "Yeah, why not?" Quito has always been our first choice for the holiday season because we spent almost every Christmas there with families. After investigating the covid curve, hospitalization data and local measures, and the fact that we have so many doctors in the family, it seems that all is checked off. Just one thing, the RT CPR test, which is required to enter Ecuador to qualify for the 14-day quarantine exemption.

We had to "educate" the kids ahead of the time that it might be "uncomfortable" when they stick a swap in your nostril. But after being in confinement for 9 months, we are all on the "whatever it takes" mode to get on that plane (just to go somewhere). 

So here it is. 36 hours later - cleared by the lab, booked the tickets, we were on the packing mode. I couldn't remember when was the last time that I was this excited to go on a trip. Or even nervous about a trip. N95 masks, checked, face shields, checked, hand sanitizer, checked, gloves, checked, wipes, checked...feel like that we were astronauts going on a space expedition. 

When the plan landed, my eyes got misty...find it hard to believe that we got here and I've landed in pachamama.