I had started to get used to the place. Breakfast at 8, classes at 2, therapy at 4, and asleep by 10. Inside life was simple
~ Secretary
I’m aware that I have opened another entry with that same quote recently….but now, it seems even more appropriate.
I still do not have any real update. The company is working with the Canadian government on some kind of a charter flight from the Bahamas to get us to Toronto sometime this week. But we have been reminded not once, not twice, but three times today alone that “this flight and the call itself is not yet confirmed as we are still awaiting clearance from the authorities”. They have passed out paperwork and confirmed home addresses and shipped all that information off…somewhere. But we don’t know any progress beyond that. Heck ,we don’t even know if we’re going to be able to take all our luggage with us.
It never ever occurred to me that we would actually be out here ‘till May. I thought that by the time Beltane rolled around, we would be safely ensconced in our own home, looking out at the water and thinking “thank heavens we aren’t out there anymore”…
How wrong I was…
“Inside” life truly is mind-numbingly simple. Even more so than it was when we started…
When all this first started, Amras and I were still on our original ship, with our original line. We had an amazing Captain who knew many of us by name and took the time to get involved in our projects and make himself available to our questions. We had a completely green team that was always able to check in with each other. We still had access to amenities and with the exception of one of the few times we called for supplies, we were operating at the lowest level of health restrictions; practicing full social distancing yes, but able to freely roam the ship as long as we weren’t well…stupid. We had evening walks and morning coffee dates. We even had dance classes and yoga sessions (I really should have gone to those).
Married couples and serious partners were still able to share a cabin, because on land those people would still be sharing a home.
Then…then we moved here.
Here. Where the rooms are nice and the beds are more comfortable, where the internet is faster and the tv selection is better.
Here. Where we are not permitted to leave our cabins except for three designated meal breaks, during which we are divided by ship, and two daily temperature checks. Where we have to be masked any time we step out of our rooms. Where those five set times (9am, 10:30am,1pm,5:30pm and 8pm) are the only times I am able to see my husband.
It’s a mind-breakingly set routine. The days go fast by the weeks go slow.
I said once that “if this was a prison it would probably lovingly be called ‘club fed’” and it’s true that we are still as comfortable as we can be. But a prison is still a prison no matter how comfortable it is. Restrictions are still restrictions no matter what their reason.
We continue to do our best to remain positive, to at least see the bright side of this crazy daily routine. At the very least, I am beyond grateful that we are not fully confined to our cabins as we were when we first got here! But I am also acknowledging that we are wearing thin. Our batteries are running down, and every time the announcement bell goes off I brace for “what now?”.
To all of those of you who are fighting for us onshore, thank you. You have no idea what just knowing that you are out there, that you still exist, that you still know we exist, actually means.
Because yes, “inside life is [simple]” but that definitely doesn’t mean it’s easy.