It has been about a week now since I received word via email that my flight home in May had been cancelled. When I arrived here in March I knew I was gambling with my return ticket knowing that it may or may not be valid. Who could know how long this worldwide shutdown would last? 2 months seemed like a long way off. I was sure that it would be no problem getting home again, but things have not played out in my favour in that regard.

The news hit me harder than I thought it would. You know that unexpected emotion that sneaks up on you from out of nowhere? I didn’t see it coming but I was more bothered by this news than I thought. My reality changed with that 1 email and my adventure has taken a new turn.

Looking Back

The time has flown by since I landed and looking back at my weeks, I have done nothing of significance at all. But I guess these days just staying healthy counts. I only had 4 or 5 days to enjoy Kodai before it all locked down. Initially there was a sense of panic in the air at the grocery stores as people shopped with the uncertainty of not knowing when they would be able to shop again. But this is an amazing town. There was no hoarding of food and supplies. Grocery stores have remained open but on a limited schedule and shelves continue to be stocked. The regular Sunday Market has been cancelled and the foot traffic around town is a fraction of what it used to be. Taxi stands are closed, the bus station is shut down and the town has reverted back to what it must have been like here 50+ years ago.

To date I have not heard of any Corona virus cases here making this feel like the safest place to be in the world right now.

The Lockdown and the Wildlife

Staying home here has generated some unexpected moments to share. The lack of tourists has affected the local wildlife. By that I am referring to the bison, the cows (although technically not wildlife), the monkeys and the dogs. They are the most noticeable.

The Bison and The Cows

It is difficult to observe the affect on the bison. You really do not want to get close enough to them to determine how they are feeling, but the cows seem happier. I base my thinking on how I feel when I walk the streets here with them. I am not missing the loud and smelly traffic. The horns which sounded almost constantly at every pitch, playing every diddle you can imagine are wonderfully gone! I found them annoying and do not miss them so I am assuming the cows feel the same.

The Monkeys

These cheeky little primates are getting bold. I believe they used to enjoy taunting tourists and looking for handouts. I also firmly believe that they understand the words “Oh Look! It’s a monkey! Get the Camera! Do we have any bananas we can give them?” If they do not hear those words, they go for more aggressive tactics. I enjoy hearing about their “just go for the food” approach. The monkey motto must be “if you see it, grab it”. However with all the shops closed and the tourists gone, there is not much to see or grab. They have developed a new tactic of “if the people won’t come to us, we will go to the people”. This was my personal experience last week as I had 2 of them visit me.

My problem started with the simple fact that I usually leave both my front and back doors open so I can enjoy the fresh air. I was standing at my kitchen sink doing dishes when I heard a sound from the dining room. It sounded like someone had bumped into the dining room table. I assumed it was probably my neighbour or the gardener that had come to talk to me. I called out “hello” without stopping what I was doing. When I got no answer, I looked over my shoulder to see a rather large monkey squatting on his haunches in my kitchen doorway looking up at me. He was maybe 2 feet tall. He must have been able to smell the 3 over ripe bananas I had sitting on my counter. I was so startled that without taking my hands out of the dishwater I lunged towards him and yelled at him to try and scare him away. He did nothing, did not even twitch a muscle. He just continued to stare at me with his beady little eyes. Besides the bananas, he was looking for fear. He found none in me. Only surprise. By chance I had been washing a paring knife with a 4” blade. Without thinking I turned and lunged at him again, this time pointing the knife at him as it was still dripping with soapy dishwater. I took a step forward. He got the message that he was not welcome and turned to leave. As I followed him around the corner into the living room while yelling at him and still pointing the knife at him I saw his accomplice. They were working in pairs! I chased them both out the front door. Once they were gone and I had time to process what had just happened I began to shake. Mostly with excited adrenaline. I looked down at the knife in my hand and started to laugh realizing that that could have gone very badly. They possess both attitude and thumbs! But all was well. They were gone. Since that day I do not leave the doors or windows open when I am not around. I don’t feel sorry for them. They have the ability to climb trees and go get their own bananas.

The Dogs

I am such a dog person but I am guarding my heart and trying not to make eye contact with them. I see them roaming around town or occasionally walking through the garden. To me they all look like they need food and love. They are all both skinny and very skiddish. But I am in no position to have any of them dependent on me. I have had to turn off my emotions for them. (See previous blog about Buddy.)

The Rest of my Time

So what am I doing with all my time? My schedule has been filled with tea breaks, the occasional trip into town for essentials while wearing a mask of course, or roaming around my house from room to room looking for things that need my attention. A rumpled scatter mat or a pillow that needs fluffing are strangely satisfying things to do.

Every day I am able to enjoy strolling through the garden. I’m always overwhelmed by the variety of beautiful flowers growing here. I also enjoy just closing my eyes and listening to the sounds around me: crickets, birds and the distant barking of dogs. Seasonal rains seem to be steady these days. Mornings are always sunny and warm and afternoons are often rainy and warm.

I think my biggest daily challenge is to keep a cool head as I deal with the reality that I have no way to get home right now. I watch the news every day looking for an opportunity to schedule a trip home. My perspective on my situation will dictate my attitude. I am not “stuck” here. I am safely riding out the pandemic in a beautiful old home in a lush green garden. – – – Just breathe. – – – I wonder if Amazon sells ruby slippers. Hey kids and Barrett. I miss you all terribly but I will see you soon!