Quarantine day 14

So we made it to Day 14 after a surreal Day 13.
First we can't leave, then we can, then we can't...
All at such a pace we can't keep up.

Then at 5pm they tell us we have to leave.
It's dark outside. Too late to rebook another car.
Hang on, I cancelled everything because we had to stay?
After some wrangling they graciously let us stay.

8am on Friday the 10th July - 
bags packed (again), Uber booked,
we open our door. 

I take one step outside (first in 2 weeks)...
only to be stopped.

'Those wrist tags,' says the man by our door.
'They're not for today.'

'No,' I reply.
'They were given to us on Wednesday,
we should have left on Thursday,
only we were told we had to wait until Friday.' 

He looks at me like I'm a
ranting mad woman. I probably am.
He sighs, 'You can't leave.
'It's the wrong colour.
Better go back into your room
while I call downstairs.'

30 minutes later we're in the lift,
heading down to the real world.
It feels strange entering the foyer.
Did time stand still?
The army and police are still there.
We check out and that's it.

Our quarantine is over.
Been tested and don't have Covid.
We step outside. And we're on our way.

 

 

Quarantine day 13

At midnight we get a knock on the door. We're all asleep, so it takes some hammering to rouse us.

I open the door (again in my PJs) though this time I'm still half asleep. There's a policeman wearing a mask. You can't leave, he informs me. I'm dumbfounded.

Sorry? I reply. We've been given the okay. We have wristbands! Our test results were negative. We have our quarantine paperwork. We were told we could leave any time after midnight. This has to be some kind of mistake?

The directive came out an hour ago, Ma'am, I am sorry. He shakes his head. He's just the messenger. We're not the only ones affected and the front line staff have the awful task of informing everyone. He realises the number of times our release date has changed, but can offer no sane explanation. And our paperwork? It's now void.

I explain our situation again - the urgency - I can try for an exemption but then we wouldn't have completed our quarantine period, which would only mean further problems once we get to Queensland.  I understand the severity of Covid-19 and the measures to contain it's spread - but retaining people who they have tested and know don't have it? How is this aiding the situation?

We return to our beds, stunned. We're all now wide awake. So we sit and stare at our packed suitcases and contemplate all the calls to make in the morning. Telling Mum it's changed, yet again, will be the hardest.

Quarantine day 12

 

Answered the door today (in my PJs, standards are really slipping) to a policeman, an army officer, a doctor, a nurse, and hotel staff. We can leave after midnight, we’re told. Tests are clear. We have paperwork about our quarantine. We’re good to go. Spend the day getting everything organised - cars, motel, pickups... hard to believe we can actually leave. We’re given tags to wear - bright red with COVID-19 written on it - I really feel like a leper now. 

Special treat this evening - Thai takeaway - it’s yummy. Our odd experience is coming to an end. We all agree that it wasn’t so bad at all. Time passed relatively quickly. Spend the afternoon packing and then Risk and Trivial Pursuit on the Switch. 

Call Mum - the excitement of our departure is contagious...

Quarantine day 11

Receive a call this morning telling us we can now leave on Wednesday, our original departure date. No reason given for this sudden change of heart. We're not all that sure we can trust or believe them, after they insisted we had to stay until Friday.

We're also awaiting our test results, everyone feeling healthy and there are no symptoms, but we'd still like to know, all the same. Besides, we feel like we deserve that piece of paper, giving us the all clear.

We've decided to drive up north, despite family thinking we're mad. Maybe we are, but after being cooped up in a room for 14 days, the idea of driving out there in the fresh air seems far more enticing than sitting crammed on yet another plane. It will be nice to see some of the country.

So now we begin planning life outside of quarantine. Strange how everything had been put on hold. Friends remark how quickly it seems to have gone; much less so when you're living the experience. Whereas our focus has been on the day ahead - filling the hours and keeping busy - we can now start to think about what we want to do in the coming days and weeks.

An alarm has been going off all morning, outside in the distance. Inner cities are just noise, noise, noise, regardless of the time of day. Much prefer the peace and tranquility of the countryside.

I wonder if the man outside the door will miss us once we're gone?

Quarantine day 10

Finally in doubt figures; four days to go. Yay.

They tested us for Covid-19 today. We had to stand at the door while a nurse put a swab at the back of our throat and way up each nostril. Not exactly pleasant (felt a bit like having water up my nose when swimming) but over quick enough. And if it means they'll let us out... Results in 2 days time. They wipe down our door afterwards.

Meanwhile, in Victoria the Covid situation appears to be worsening. NSW is feeling the pressure, with those who would have flown to Victoria, now coming south. And Queensland deciding to be the only state to charge for quarantine, can't be helping the situation. NSW will now only admitting 500 a day into their quarantine hotels, so I suppose we at least missed that hurdle. Meanwhile back in the UK, I'm seeing pictures of filled pubs and a packed London. Have we forgotten all about the pandemic?

Still exercising. Rubbish still mounting up outside our door. And the guard with the overpowering aftershave is back. He doesn't look up, or smile; just on his phone.

Looking down

Quarantine day 9

Looking out on the same view, day upon day, I find myself exploring the details, challenging myself to find something new, something I haven't noticed before. A tiny church steeple dwarfed by the many skyscrapers all around it. We've found numerous gardens, a tree growing on balconies. Maybe I'm trying to convince myself that things are changing, moving on, although it's beginning to feel like were trapped inside some time warp, repeating the same day over and over again.

I'm certainly writing more. There's time to focus, less distractions, less things to fill my day with.

Today we ordered another delivery of donuts. Our daily treat. They're much bigger than your average donut, so we share one between us - it's something nice we look forward to.

Quarantine Day 8

As I sit here, my quarantine extended just as a precaution, the UK announces it has an air bridge with Australia?!?! Am I living in an alternate universe to the British government? An air bridge with a country that doesn't even let it's own citizens in without 14 days (exactly) quarantine - and now Brits are being led to believe they can pop over for a vacation? It beggars belief!

I just spotted a sign on a freeway for Darling Harbour. I remember going there quite regularly many many years ago - concerts (no recollection who I saw), to get to Chinatown,  I even went to the IBM masquerade ball at Darling Harbour. It was the first or second year of my graduate recruitment programme. Oddly, I sat at a table with a group of English IT contractors. Gosh, never imagined back then I would become so well acquainted with Carnival.

Everyone is still smiling. Mario Kart racing seems to help. RingFit and JustDance are continuing to exhaust me. Man is still sitting outside the door. Our rubbish continues to mount up (will someone please collect it?) and catering are still mixing up our vegan delivery 😡 Reception tells me we're not the only ones complaining. Our breakfast is a bunch of green bananas and some pears, nothing else. Is this some kind of revenge?

Pretty pink sky at dusk....

Quarantine Day 7

I'm feeling rather sore today. Guess it's from the exercise. Who would have thought battling cute little coloured monsters could be such hard work? But despite the aches and pains, it really is helping. I've always considered myself fairly fit and healthy, walking my dogs every day. But working up a sweat isn't something I usually do. The physical exertion makes me feel good mentally, and I'm sleeping a lot better. Apart from that, I can annoy others with my choice of Just Dance songs. Today's selection included Satisfaction, Hit the Road Jack, and Heart of Glass.

Today we sat out on the balcony and ate our sushi rolls for lunch. It was warmer and the sun was shining. We find ourselves studying life below on the streets. Some people are sitting out on a rooftop cafe that has been empty until now. Three men are walking about on top of a roof - I'm curious to know what they're up to. Am I turning into a voyeur?

Someone spots a tram. Can't be, I say, there isn't trams in Sydney. I always associate trams with Melbourne, and they weren't in Sydney when I lived here (would be nearly 24 years ago). Apparently there were trams in all Australia cities once, but most removed them in the 60s. Dad said it was a shame they weren't in Brisbane anymore, he'd liked the convenience of hopping on and off them. Look - it's definitely a tram. Hmmm indeed... not a traditional looking one, but a modern interpretation and definitely a tram. I'll go and see if I can take a photo....

Quarantine Day 6

Day 6 into our quarantine - counting down the days. Got a call this morning and they're extending our quarantine by 2 days. I know it's only 2 days, but it's disappointing all the same. There's been a spike in Covid-19 cases in Victoria, some originating for the quarantine hotels, so NSW has decided to crack down and make sure 14 days is 14 days - we arrived late in the evening, so our release date got revised. Normally I wouldn't mind, but time is precious at the moment.

Today's lunch is a veggie noodle pot - everyone's happy.

Woke up feeling refreshed. For a change I slept through the night. Maybe I'm getting over the jet lag finally, or perhaps it was the intensive 2 hour workout I put myself through yesterday. Who would have thought, cooped up in an apartment, that I could actually get enough exercise to exhaust myself. Despite my initial doubts, I'm actually pleased with our recent Nintendo Switch investments. It's the best thing ever, someone remarks. They're sitting on the couch watching me in fits of laughter. When are you going Pro? from someone else. I get my revenge by selecting the most cheesy songs I can find in Just Dance. I really do need to write into Just Dance and complain - how can someone who barely moves, manage to get a higher score than me?

Quarantine day 5

Three deliveries today. The joy of online shopping. First there's donuts; a nice surprise from a kind soul for an anniversary. Then there's our cider and wine delivery from a local bottleshop. The police have a moderation order apparently, for those in quarantine. We can have our cider or our wine. Not both. I guess it's not unreasonable, on the other hand, there's two adults in the room and it's just cider and wine. How much can they place constraints over our lives? Is locking us up not enough, now we have to choose between our wine and cider.

The next delivery makes my day, but doesn't impress another. Nintendo Switch now has another purpose. Exercise. The next two hours are filled with squeezing an exercise ring, jogging, squats and awkward sit ups on a hard floor. Following by Just Dance. This has a double bonus. Exercise and comedy factor. Well at least moods are lifted.

Outside the sun is shining. The photo above is the view from my window. I stare down at people walking along the street. There's not very many.  I feel like I've been put in stasis - temporary removed from society to exist up in this cocoon - able only to watch from above. We have a balcony - well, I call it a balcony because it is outside. But it's built into the building so it gets no sunlight. Day 5 and no ones ventured out there except for a few minutes, to quickly return going, hmmm, rather cold and windy.

Man's still sitting outside. Today he smiled and waved.

Quarantine day 4

Mood takes a dive. We're all more subdued.

Nothing's really changed.

Guess the novelty of the situation

has worn off.

Slept all afternoon. Way beyond exhausted.

Is it delayed jet lag? Possibly.

Maybe the build up of stress.

Barely sleeping a few hours each night.

Plenty of crochet on the go.

Plushies and flowers.

I'm not happy with mine.

In frustration I undo what I've done.

Our island on Animal Crossing is making

huge bounds - we now have a museum.

Still skipping. Still eating. Still waiting.

Man still sitting out in the hallway.

He smiled at me today.

Quarantine day 3

The rubbish is stacking up outside our door. They say they'll collect it 3 times a day but that's not happening. Dinner is delivered late and there's a gluten free meal instead of the requested a vegan 😠 They resolve it, but trust is lost in the catering company. Day 3 and I suppose it's to be expected that some things will start to get on our nerves.

When I open the door, our resident guard watches me suspiciously but doesn't say a word. I'm just putting my rubbish out, I want to scream. I'm hardly going to sprint to the lifts, passed the army and police, wearing my PJs. There's a strong smell of cheap aftershave. I guess that's what happens when you sit there all day.

Highlight for today is our shopping delivery. Plant-based Milo 😀 raisin bread 😃 Tiny Teddies 😊 and Twisties 😋.

Still skipping.

Quarantine day 2

A policeman delivered our almond milk this morning. He left it outside the door and stood back, giving me a wave when I collected it. I'm starting to feel like a leper.

Of course, flying here is always disconcerting when it comes to remembering what day it is - but when locked away from the world, days can begin to merge into each other. It could be any day of the week when there's nothing to distinguish one from another. What's so special about a weekend when there's no clear working week? The thrill of Friday means little when each day is identical to the next.

We're delivered our meals 3 times a day - perfectly satisfactory and healthy and with the added element of surprise. Such as our mystery destination when we boarded the bus, we have no clue what we'll be eating until we've opened the brown paper bag. And to be fair, it's all been perfectly edible, we're not hungry, and I'm still rejoicing the fact that I don't need to think about preparing meals.

Still, when our rainbow salad rolls appeared yet again for lunch, we all looked at each other and sighed. UberEats? The discovery of online delivery from local restaurants and take-aways was just too tempting. We caved in and made an order from Lord Of The Fries - a vegan burger joint. And yes, it probably wasn't as healthy as our rainbow salad rolls but oh, how we enjoyed our burgers.

Still skipping and that man is still sitting outside our door.