Right now I am quarantined in an alien country, without any friends and relatives nearby!
This is what I feel like right now! (Image credit)
My wife and I traveled overseas last week. My wife was representing my country in a Masters sports event conducted this week. We spent some lovely time together and were really thrilled to have this little time away from routine.
The tournament went very well and I did very well in my duties as a bag boy, tour manager and cheerleader - All rolled into one!
My wife will be rolling her eyes if she reads this! LOL
This is what my main duty was this week LOL! (Image credit)
No no - I was not actually prancing around in tight pink skirts with a blond wig on! Banish the thought. Don't even picture it mentally. It will ruin your Sunday!
What I meant was that I was vociferously cheering for my wife and her team mates. I am told by the team that it gives really good moral support.
Anyway - Further story unfolds....
My wife made it to top 16 teams in the world but lost at that point in a tough, closely contested game. Thereafter, we were to head back now. Today was our return flight.
With this whole COVID menace though, we were asked by the airline to do a PCR test and guess what, my test was negative but my wife tested positive.
So - here we are - Quarantined in two separate rooms. Feeling really miserable. The language is a big challenge. No guidance yet from authorities on what the protocol is. At the moment,
we know nothing about the next steps or timelines!
It is hard to believe that we are in a European country, given the response so far. Well - perhaps the machinery has not swung into motion fully yet due to a weekend. Hopefully, it will by tomorrow. I have faith in that the Government system will work. Is my faith misplaced? What do you think?
In the meanwhile though - I am feeling very depressed. My freedom to move around curtailed!
'The sound of Silence' around me is deafening!
Now I know what Simon-Garfunkel meant in that song -
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
I have all the material comforts. A nice bed, warm room, food..
However, as you all know, I like to be out in the open and close to nature. Therefore, I am very very uncomfortable.
Why? Why ? Why? Certainly not because my wife or I were careless. We followed ALL the regulations and took all the recommended precautions. We took vaccines, made ourselves faceless with masks, washed hands so frequently that they felt raw ...
Do we appreciate losing ourselves behind masks? (Image credit)
ALL for the sake of protecting ourselves and others. However, were others as careful about protecting us and themselves?
I am, therefore, paying the cost of carelessness by others!
I am a caged animal!
I also have started to realize what it is to loose freedom. Irrespective of whether we are humans, animals or reptiles - FREEDOM is the highest need.
I often reflect upon Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I have found it to be very logical in the past. It has helped me decipher human behavior on many occasions over the years. I also, always believed that lofty thoughts like Freedom were never on priority on an empty stomach.
Today, however, I feel differently. With my personal experience, I think the hierarchy of need should look like this -
The nay-sayer in me says that I am getting all these thoughts because my belly is full and I have a shelter. If I did not have those, I wouldn't get hyper about Freedom! Well - who knows. I am feeling what I am feeling and it does NOT feel good. That is for sure.
I wish none of you have to face this ordeal.
I will try to post as often and remain positive as is my goal. Please pardon me if I am unable to do so.
Please comment and voice your opinions. It will give me a connect with the outer world and keep up our spirits. Thanks
