“The course of life depends on how you react to opportunities and challenges that randomness presents to you.” – Leonard Mlodinow
When Michael returned from his trip to the land at the end of January he was adament that I should join him on the next one, as working alone is always harder and more time consuming. It was also cold and rainy, and being all alone during those long nights as his body was adjusting to the four hour time difference, he felt miserable and lonely.
At the same time as Michael’s trip in January, in far off Wuhan, a threat that will create havoc and death was quietly brewing. Or not so quietly. I don’t know, as I don’t pay much attention to the news. Much too depressing, and mostly things I can’t do anything about anyway, so why bother knowing about it?
With Michael back it was time to renew my residence visa for the UAE, and the moment I had it in my passport mid-February, we started planning a trip for early March. This involved a long paper trail of documents I needed to apply for a Schengen visa, but as luck would have it, new longterm visas were introduced at the beginning of February, and because of my good track record I received a one year visa on the 27th of February.
We were ready for our trip scheduled for 6-13 March. And so we started checking our IKEA lists, did some pre-ordering to arrive at the Castelo Branco pick-up point on Saturday the 7th, organized with a friend to look after our cats, and started packing. There was a lot to do in the week we would be there, and we set up appointments with the Architect and Electrician to sort out details of what we hope will be a final push to get everything in place we need for our habitation licence, as well as someone who agreed to prune our olive trees.
On the 4th of March the spring holiday in the UAE was pushed forward with two weeks, and schools closed as a precaution amidst the increased spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The first cases of Coronavirus in the UAE were reported at the end of January when a family of four from Wuhan (including a 80-something year old grandmother, who has all since recovered), were diagnosed with it. Another incident in February involved the quarantine of two hotels when support members of the Italian cycling team were diagnosed with the virus during the UAE Tour.
Although we didn’t follow the news closely we were aware of these cases, but felt confident that the government was taking all the precautions and actions necessary. People were asked to stay home when they felt ill and refrain from going to places where lots of people gather, and a couple of events were cancelled. All sensible.
But then, the day before we left, Michael came home with news that the company he works for sent out a memo requiring everyone who travelled during the previous three weeks or were planning to travel would have to hand in a health certificate before they would be allowed back at work. We paused and talked about it. It felt like a knee-jerk reaction, but also like a harbinger of sorts. “I suspect if we don’t go now, we won’t be able to for a long time.” Michael concluded.
And so we found ourselves on the land doing all the things we set out to, and more. We didn’t follow any news sites. There was no time or energy to worry, and the time we did have for respite, we chose to enjoy the fresh air, beauty of spring, and company of friends.
Reality hit when the taxi driver who took us to the airport on Friday the 13th told us that the government was planning a lockdown on Madrid from the coming Monday, so we were relieved that we were heading home. We got lucky. Not only did we manage to put things into place to move our project forward, we also managed to get back home to the UAE before Etihad suspended its flights to Spain, and residents, as from today, will not be allowed back into the UAE.
The only penalty is that we are in compulsory self-quarantine until the 28th. A small price to pay, especially as Michael’s company is allowing him to work from home.
What initially felt like a knee-jerk reaction has become something no one could ever have imagined, unless you are a doomsday prepper or science fiction writer.
Written by: Jolandi
We hope everyone following us along our journey is well and taking all the necessary precautions needed to stay so in these extreme times. Please comment to tell us how you are doing.
Hi Jolandi.
Glad you guys made it through everything. Talk about timing 🙂
South Africa has just started with the virus. Currently, we are at 150 cases. The government has locked down all gatherings etc to help slow it down so that the health care system is not overloaded like in Italy.
According to a study handed in, government acted just in time.
https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/exclusive-the-terrifying-coronavirus-projections-that-pushed-government-into-lockdown-action-20200319
Stay well and healthy and I hope everyone in UAE takes quarantine seriously. It is important.
Thank you, Richard. We are very grateful things worked out well for us. You are right in that one shouldn’t underestimate the seriousness of the pandemic. What we all do during this time impacts not just on our lives, but also the lives of others. I am glad the South African government is taking a serious stance. Take care of yourself and stay healthy and sane!
Phew – just in time for you guys! I’d been a bit blasé early on, but I did a full 180 last week and am committed to doing my part to stop or slow the spread. The whole thing is hard to imagine even as it is playing out. I don’t like the feeling that I can’t go see my kids out of state if I want to, especially with one bringing a new baby into the world next month. 🙁 Glad to know you were able to get some things done AND get safely back. Stay healthy!
I think most of us have been a bit blasé about it initially, Lexie. That used to be the best approach in times of crisis to avoid complete paranoia to set in. This time is definitely different, and it took a while for us and the whole world to realise it. Oh dear, I didn’t realise you are not even allowed to travel out of state. Fingers crossed that by the time you have a grandchild greeting this crazy world things will be under control, and you will be able to go to them. Stay healthy and sane!
That was very good timing indeed! I am pleased you got everything done you intended and are back home safely. We are all well at the moment but everything is closing down and people like me with health issues are advised to stay at home for some time to come. The only problem I have is that I am the only carer my mother has and I won’t be able to visit her. All that duty will have to fall on my poor husband.
Take care, Jolandi and Michael!
Thank you, Clare. It is definitely better to have as little contact with the outside world when one has health issues, and double complicated for you with an elderly mother. Luckily you have your husband who can visit her. Our choices are becoming more complicated, because they not only impact on our lives, but also the lives of so many others, especially those in the vulnerable categories. Please take good care of yourself. We trust you and your family will stay not only healthy, but also sane in these trying times.
So glad you were able to go, accomplish some to do’s and get yourselves home before all of the craziness overwhelmed the world. It is scary, and we too are doing our part, we are staying home as much as possible. Had to make a grocery store run today. I am shocked by those that are panicking and hoarding supplies that the elder need. Jolandi, I am with you. I don’t watch the news, it is all doomsday reports and I can’t change it or fix it, so am not a news junkie. I will watch updates by those I trust and will continue to hang at home. I have to say, I am getting a lot of deep cleaning done, and projects that I have put off. Finding joy in each day and praying for those affected. Hope you and Michael stay safe and well.
It is indeed scary, Terri. So unlike anything the world has ever seen, and I suspect we will feel the impact of it long after this virus has died down. Good luck with your grocery run – I hope the freaked out people have left some supplies. It must say something of human nature, as it happens everywhere. They have warned people with prosecution here if they behave like that or spread fear on social media. Sometimes it is better not to live in a democracy. 🙂
A friend sent me this link to a statistics site. I like it as it simply records the numbers, including recoveries, so if you are interested, check it out: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
I suspect it is going to get worse before getting better, and is perhaps the perfect time to re-evaluate one’s life and priorities.
Stay safe and sane!
Jolandi
Please be safe and stay healthy Jolandi & Michael!!!
We will try our best, Paulo. We’ve heard that you are only allowed to leave home for necessities at the moment in Portugal. I hope you can manage to work from home, and all of this will be contained and over not too long from now. Stay healthy and positive.
I confess that even though I am a news junkie (old habit from the days when I was a newspaper reporter), I didn’t take the reports of a new virus out of Wuhan very seriously. I thought it was yet another outbreak from one of China’s wet markets, and it would eventually die out after the winter was over. Now, on the first day of spring 2020, I am sitting in lockdown, wishing very badly I could travel but knowing it’d be irresponsible of me to do so. We debate about just going out for household staples like kitty litter and coffee, asking ourselves if we really need them now. (Kitty litter, maybe not, but I cannot live without coffee, and it’s not as if I can grow it in my garden!) I am very glad you were able to squeeze in a trip to Portugal before the gates slammed shut. Hopefully the worst of it will end soon, and the majority of us will come out safely and well on the other side. Take care!
Your initial response was certainly in line with what most of us would consider sensible in light of what happened before with outbreaks, Hangaku. This thing has clearly caught us all off-guard. Mmmm, I’m with you on the ‘can’t live without coffee’. So glad we bought what could be considered a doomsday supply of our favourite coffee more than a month ago when we visited a big supermarket some distance away from us that stocks it, so I luckily won’t run into that problem before our quarantine ends in a week’s time. We may run out of milk, but I can drink coffee without it if I have to, as long as I can start my day with a cup. 🙂
Take care of yourself.
– Jolandi
Dear Jolandi,
I’m glad you made it back to UAE safely and you are both well. It feels like years since we last talked. We are here too, following the upsetting news from Spain and hoping everybody, family and friends, stay safe.
We have a new member on the family 🙂 so things look more scaring with a newborn at home (first time parents worrying about everything + a pandemic 😅), but I’m sure we will manage and bad times will pass. Hope we can celebrate together that this whole thing is over some time in the future in Spain or Portugal.
Sending both of you big hugs
Ana
Oh, Ana, what wonderful news! Congratulations to you and Diego. You will be fantastic parents. I can just imagine how difficult it must be to have a baby at the moment, though. These bad times will definitely pass, and the UAE is perhaps one of the best places to be at the moment. I hope your families in Spain are well. My sister and niece are very grateful to live in rural Spain and not in the city, and although they are also stuck in their house, I think it feels as if they have more breathing pace. It would be wonderful to celebrate life together once all this is over. In the meantime stay safe and sane in these trying times. Much love from both Michael and I to the three of you and your fur babies. – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
Very glad to hear you and Michael made it back safely, and are doing well.
It is a very crazy time indeed. Please do continue to take good are!
Best wishes always,
Takami
We were thinking of you and your husband, Takami, wondering how you are doing. We hope you are well, and staying healthy in these unsettling times.
Hello again Jolandi,
Apologies for the delayed response! Thank you for your kind wishes. My husband and I are managing to stay safe (and sane) despite the chaos. Fortunately, our companies allow us to work from home, so this helps a great deal too. As always, we send all our best to you and Michael.
We are so glad to hear you and your husband are staying both safe and sane, Takami. And that you are allowed to work from home. One definitely has to count one’s blessings, as there are millions of people, who in the blink of an eye lost their jobs. My heart ache for them. – Jolandi
Wow, you were very lucky to avoid the ordeal of cancelled flights and closed borders. Here in Australia, interstate borders are mostly closed as well, and almost daily new prohibitions are being announced and people are losing their jobs. And now we’re entering winter and flu season as well.
I hope you both keep safe. Who knows what challenges we face next.
I feel sick when I think of the millions of people who are losing their jobs at the moment. It seems there is a cycle to how governments react – first recommendations, then restrictions, and finally prohibitions. We are lucky that we are moving into summer and not winter and flu season like you. Please take good care of yourself. We are currently waiting for our test results. Michael is feeling unwell and when he ran a fever I insisted on us going for testing, especially as I’m suffering from asthma. Yesterday he had to go back, as they said his test was inconclusive. Not sure what that means. We are obviously feeling a bit anxious. Fingers crossed he has just a bout of flu.
Strange times when “flu” is good news. Here’s hoping for the best.
So true, and thank you.
Stay healthy!
That was a close call, but I’m glad all your travels worked out for you. I had to cancel my trip to Germany on March 22. I hope you are doing well in your quarantine and will not get sick.
Best wishes,
Tanja
Always sad to have to cancel a trip. I hope your family is well and safe in Germany. From looking at the statistics we gather that Germany’s health system is far better than that of Italy or Spain . . . Please take good care of yourself. – Jolandi
Incredible how this all played out. You got your long term Schengen visa and your UAE trip, safely making it home before the lockdown. You would have ended up sheltering-in-place anyhow the way things have unfolded, so not much difference from self quarantining. Thank goodness! Just in time.
In times like these gratitude takes on a very different nuance. Stay well and healthy, Lisa.
Hi, I can follow you here as per your original blog. Are you still in Abu Dhabi? let us have a chat on whatsapp! Regards.