This story is by K. K. Lau and was part of our 2020 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
Paradise With a Twist
After living in Illinois for decades, I decided to move and try farming in a foreign country. As an office geek all my life, I was fascinated by connecting with nature, with its lush green landscapes, the smell of farms and dairy cows, and barefoot children that shyly giggled when I made them laugh for a picture. I will raise bottle fed calves at a dairy farm. I was ready to trade my Cole Hahn heels for rubber boots. I also would have time to sharpen my writing skills. Or, to start writing and be a writer of some sort. What could go wrong, right?
Not only had I stepped into a culturally challenged environment for me, I suddenly found myself trapped in a full quarantine. On account of the government reaction to the pandemic of the coronavirus that has overwhelmed the world, including me, we were literally locked down.
This is the story of how I survived!
My adventure began a few months earlier before WHO (World Health Organization) declared a pandemic situation. I was scheduled to fly to California to visit my Mom. Three days before my flight, the Ministry of Health announced they have identified their first Covid-19 victim, and upcoming restrictions in the country will be imposed shortly as the result of this highly contagious virus. The population of age 60 and older were of higher risk of contagion as well as any person with co-morbid health issues. My 92 year old mother has chronic respiratory problems so I was reluctant to fly at this time to visit with her. So, I asked my sisters what to do.
“Hi!” I chatted on WhatsApp.
“I am doing a family survey and I wanted to know if I should travel to California to visit Mom or should I postpone my trip?” I asked. “As you all know, I am scheduled to fly in a couple of days,” I added.
There was no hesitation on their part. They unanimously agreed I should postpone my trip. The risk, the health risk to both our Mom and mine were not worth taken at this time.
Seven days later, the airports closed.
The mandatory quarantine restricted the population movement to secure necessities only. Little by little businesses were forced to reduce staffing and eventually had to close. People were allowed to leave the house for banking, groceries and pharmaceutical needs and only by gender. What?
Women were allowed to leave on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and for a two-hour window. The two-hour window was based on the last digit of the person’s ID number. For example, my last digit was six, so I was allowed to move around town and outside the house between the hours of 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. This quarantine was decreed by law, so fine and jail time were applicable to all violators. Police would monitor the streets and set up checkpoints. OMG!
“How would I manage with all these restrictions?” I asked my sisters. We have been connected through WhatsApp.
“You should have applied for your driver’s license earlier!” said one of them.
“It would not have mattered. She does not have a car either!” said another one.
And there lies my first dilemma.
I have rented a beautiful villa located on the way to the highest elevation of the country, over 3,200 feet above sea level and some 44 kilometers inland from the major city. The property was nestled on a hilltop overlooking the city, and on a clear night one could see the outline of the Pacific Ocean inviting you to move closer to its shores. I could only smell the ocean breeze in my head. And the beautiful twinkle of the city lights teasing you to a nightlife so opposite of where you are. The view that says, “you are alone but you don’t have to be.” A view that was simply spectacular on those nights!
I am connected to the nearest town about 15 kilometers either way from the main road. Up until now, walking a dirt trail from the villa to simply reach the main road was no easy feat in the rain, and worst on torrential rain! Fortunately I love getting wet in the rain, something I don’t do often, mind you, but for the occasional lightning, I have to remind myself to be careful. On dry days, it was a much better walk if you do not count the mosquitoes that often targeted me! I have a tight relationship with “Off”.
My dilemma was not getting any better with this quarantine.
My landlords were a retired couple from the states. They were housesitting the property for their friend, a local flower grower, and they lived at the cottage across the creek not too far from my villa.
“Could you reach out to them for help?” asked my sister.
“I don’t know,” I replied. “I feel kinda embarrassed and dumb for not have planned this better!”
“Listen”, she replied, “no one could have planned for this pandemic. You either overcome embarrassment or die of hunger. And we are not ready for that to happen. Besides, how would we get your body back?”
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you just said that to her, you idiot!” said another sister.
“Don’t call me an idiot! I was trying to force her to be rational and think, you moron!” she replied. I could feel the tension rising among them.
“Okay, okay, stop!” I said. “I will reach out to them.”
The retired couple turned out to be heaven sent. I was grateful that both were willing to help me without me feeling that I was imposing on them. We arranged for me to call them once a week with my grocery list. They would drive by and leave the groceries in my front door. I would slip over cash or a check through the screen door. I was fortunate that often with the delivery it included delicious homemade jam, bread, pie, or cookies.
Indeed life was improving over here!
It did not take long for me to get used to this lifestyle. My weekly goods were delivered to my door. I wake up to the sound of birds, sit out on the large terrace overlooking the scattered dairy farms surrounding the property. I see the Red Angus herd across the hill pasturing on a beautiful sunny day. I hear the dairy cows down the road mooing. The day unfolds so slowly, under a beautiful white and blue sky while I am sipping on a cup of coffee, and breathe!
Sessions of Muay Thai and Tai Chi complemented the long days by keeping my physical strength and flexibility in check. Okay, I am truly just a novice at these, but learned to enjoy the stillness, solitude and contemplation state that these movements create. Will I still enjoy this solitude when the quarantine is lifted? How much longer do I have?
Connectivity was a tad challenging, mostly slow and unstable. But I was grateful at least it was slow and unstable. It allowed me video chats with local new friends my heaven sent landlord and neighbor. Zoom conferences with my stateside girlfriends for Happy Hour Time. Drinking my go-to beverage, a young Chilean Merlot bottle of wine. It was smooth with a very mild bouquet and drank chilled on hot and humid days and nights. I know. I broke the rule of the wine connoisseur about letting the wine breathe before enjoying and savoring its characteristics. I am a novice at this too.
After all this move to the countryside with its lush and green landscapes, barefoot children walking alongside me on the dirt trail, complicated by a pandemic nightmare no one knew it was coming and would become such a global threat, for me, it is still the paradise I hoped for, a paradise with a twist.
The forced quarantine taught me that nature perseveres no matter what storm comes.
That the good nature of people also persevere. No matter how ugly and violent some people make life to be for others as we often hear in the news.
That no matter how far I go, I will always be connected to my sisters, my mom, my family and my friends.
That mankind continues to evolve in all directions, even on pandemic- type routes, but one of the most important things to experience is solitude and contemplation teaching us to face the here and now; your own here and now.
We have no idea how we will manage tomorrow with the social distancing and mask-wearing requirements. Although I would like to believe all these are temporary measures until a cure is found, I hope we learned that connecting with oneself in stillness and away from distractions might be the first and one key to better mankind.
“What now is has already been; what is to be, already is…” Book of Ecclesiastes
I really enjoy reading you experience! Love it
Congrats sis. Job well done! I did not know you to be a writer. I can see you in this narrative and applaud you for your effort.
Enjoyed reading and sharing your experience. The best of people exibited during tough times.
Great job… new skill.. writing.
It was such a treat to read this fun, loving and soul-searching short story. I was deeply immersed in your paradise while reading your vivid description of the countryside: its lush and green landscapes, the smell of farms and dairy cows, giggling barefoot children, and the caring neighbors. I love the way you narrated your loving relationship with your sisters, who all shared their different personalities with you. You are a very gifted writer and I hope to read more of your articles soon.
Wow my friend, what a pleacent surprise – you are a writer!
For a moment, I was was there with you and I could see the beautiful paradise. Despite of the adversity of going through this pandemic, you have found a way to put your energy into writing. Looking forward for more stories! Keep it up!
My favorite parts were your description of the animals and the view. You should do more of this especially with the characters in your story. It will make them come to life!
Loved this sentence: “The view that says, ‘you are alone but you don’t have to be’.” The words are teasing you, luring you. Very tropical!
Well done!
I agree with her, K. k. Your characters come alive through the perception in your stillness! Thank you for your written word.
As a former Midwesterner, I was especially interested in your story. I liked how you drew from your experiences with the quarantine and your family. You have a good imagination!
My friend! Lovely story. I can picture the beautiful views in my mind. Loved the “mooing” of the dairy cows and can taste the Merlot. Cheers to you! Hugs from afar.
Great writing. I am glad that you are enjoying solitude instead of cursing loneliness. In the quietness of heart is where we find closeness to God and appreciate all His creation. I hope someday to visit the place you described. Before I go, I would take B1 supplement because the perspiration from taking it works as natural repellent. I just don’t like to toxic combo of sunblocks and bug repellent on top of sweat. I promise to check on your mom as often as I and my mom can. God bless you and keep you.
It’s amazing how you were able to convey so much information in just a few, short, concise paragraphs. The one liners were classic. The action moved fast on the page, just the essentials. Our minds filled in the rest of the scenes. The first paragraph was powerful in setting up the plot and action in very simple terms. It was direct and to the point, lyrical. Enjoyed your dry sense of humor. Easy to read. Very well done. Memorable. Thank you for sharing.