I am at home, sweet home. I arrived at night on Friday March 20th. I am just now posting because I just got internet service back at my house.
The trip from Perth to San Antonio was relatively smooth. A taxi took me to the Perth airport for a 5:30am flight to Sydney. The Sydney terminal was crowded with a few people I knew from my cruise ship but many more from several other cruise ships docked in Sydney. We were shoulder to shoulder in queue for more than an hour. The airline blamed the caterer for the delay in boarding the A380. I wore a mask. I always keep a couple in my travel backpack. Once we started, the Quantas flight was fine, including good food and drink, and a lie flat bed. We arrived late to Dallas. There was no health screening that I could detect and US citizens were swiftly passed through customs. Many of us had missed connecting flights but tickets for our rebooked flights were issued as we stepped off the plane. In contrast to Sydney, the Dallas airport was nearly deserted. Most people seemed to heed the social distancing rule. San Antonio airport was also deserted. My ride home got me to my front door, about an hour before the gate to my gated community closed to all non-residents.
The next day I got my home phone turned back on. I was on hold for 5 hours (no exaggeration) trying to reach Spectrum. They immediately got the TV going but the internet would not go. After several more long waits on “hold” it was determined that my mod had died. They sent a technician Sunday evening. My gated retirement community is in lock down mode. I think they might have let him on the property, but I felt I could do this myself. So, he left the necessary parts with the gate guard. Our security guards dropped them off outside my front door. Another long wait on hold for final instructions and I am now reconnected to civilization. I never thought I’d say it but, thank goodness for the internet.
In lockdown mode, my retirement community has closed the dining room. Meals can be picked up for take-out. There are limited items available in our tiny convenience store and there is take out available from our bistro/deli. I am voluntarily restricted from visiting these areas. Twice per day meals are placed at my front door . Boy, do I miss the cruise ship cuisine. Still I am grateful. So many others have so much less. I signed up for delivery from the local grocery store chain. The first available delivery date is April 4th. My emancipation date is April 2nd.
I will add some posts to this blog. I have plenty of time now. There were several interesting places we visited which I did not cover: (not in order) Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Seychelles and a glimpse of Sri Lanka. This was a wonderful trip, even with half of it cancelled. We are all experiencing an historic time for humanity. When we get through it, and we will get through it, the world is already changed.
Family and friends seem to be well and are coping. I am well and coping. Life is good. I am still having a great time.
Linda
Hooray! I’m so glad you’re home… I was wondering!
I now have my bipolar sister Shelle and her two birds living with me. She had physically and mentally reached a point where she couldn’t properly care for herself and her pets alone on her 10 acres outside tiny Red Rock, TX., even if COVID-19 wasn’t around. Her cat is with my Austin brother and her two large senior dogs are boarding with my veterinarian until we (siblings and I) can find them long term placement. All the pets, as well as Shelle and me, are going through quite an adjustment period, but I’m relieved to daily know she and her pets are safe and she is very grateful.
Take care and we’ll all get together when COVID-19 allows!