Life's a Stitch

So difficult. I lost it at the Denpasar airport, a teary mess, my mind going to terrible places. When will I see my kids again? A man, who it turns out is from our town, comforted me. We talked about the kids being in a lower risk category and it made perfect sense for us to be leaving, older folks that we are. 

The line up was long, held up by the situations of several people, also Canadian, who had driven to Seattle for less expensive flights. Unable to return, as the borders are closed, they were being rerouted to Vancouver, their cars continuing their US vacation. 

One of those affected shared her rant wth me. She asked how I was doing. “Sad to be leaving my kids.” Ranting was her forte. “What!!! You must not leave your children here, the medical system is S**t. Get them out of here…” Enter White Rock man who tells her “You have just undone all the good I did for this woman (me). Then he proceeded to tell the story of how, during their time in Bali, one of his daughters developed a severe ear infection. He was given a number to call. An ambulance arrived with two doctors and a supply of medication. They examined the little girl, confirmed the ear infection that required treatment and left them with the appropriate meds and supplies. All for $100 Cdn dollars. What an efficient system. Why expose people to an ER full of sick patients? Maybe this pandemic will lead to a healthier world.

At security my approved for travel, foldable, dull pointed tiny scissors were confiscated. I have flown all over the world with them and they accompanied me on our first Camino trek. Why here? Insult to injury.

2/3’s of the passengers wore some sort of mask, most ineffective, or worn improperly. There was a family of three dressed in plastic ponchos, goggles, masks and gloves for the duration of the first five hour flight to Taipei.

The food was as we heard: a piece of cake, a mini muffin, a raisin cookie and Crisp Balls and a six ounce bottle of water. We did get two meals on the ten hour flight to YVR. 

Our temperatures were taken at each airport. I have the ability, once I see the thermometer guns at the front of the line, to be anxious that I’ll sprout a fever by the time i get there. All went well.

The flights included a couple of people actively suppressing occasional coughs and a woman who felt the need to stretch with her feet on the wall. It takes all kinds.

We started our descent into familiar territory.

Vancouver’s airport procedure went smoothly. There was minimal co-vid screening, which surprised me. Just to have dinner at the Hyatt in Bali required the taking of temperatures.

We made it home via a disinfected Uber to settle in for our 14 day quarantine. We were greeted by the relieving news that M & KC had also made the decision to return home. Two less to worry about.