Semi Lockdown and Home-March24 to March31st 2020

The provisions to contain the spread of the corona virus is revolving as authorities try to contain it's spread...here in Ecuador....Curfews that began at 2pm...changed to 7 pm...then quickly back to 2pm with even the beach being off limits to surfing and swimming.....as I may have mentioned earlier I feel safe among the few of us both at Sundown and the girls and Johnny, Jeff and Carol at the Canoa Hotel......The Canadian Government notified me that the last flight for the forseeable future to Canada would be the 31st.....IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION>>>both due to the price and my desire to stay in Ecuador....but having a home in Canada which needed attendance...

.I had to weigh in favor of returning......to put costs in perspective ....I paid for a return ticket from Toronto $700.00 for March 26th....it was cancelled by Air Canada .......ticket for 31st $ 1109.00 1 way.....also our Government said we were responsible for getting ourselves to Quito....not so bad if you are already there but I am roughly 6 hours away.....yes I have a moto but unable to travel into Quito with it .....again travel restrictions plus Ecuador Bike Rentals is closed so no place to leave a $ 14,000 CDN investment....alternative get Juan Carlos to see if he can get a taxi for me....done....at the cost of $260USD....requiring for both of us travel documents.....the trip begins at 430am Monday....the flight isn't until 10am on Tuesday......we go through 5 or 6 check points ...no problems...I need to ask the driver within 15 minutes to slow down...he is doing 120 into blind corners    but that is how they drive down here...anyone who has seen these corners will understand what I mean...fortunately I know the Spanish words and he comply's ....I was actually getting dizzy....we arrive at 930am...not allowed into airport terminal until 3 hours before my flight but they have a building across from airport terminal with restaurants and I am told a sleeping lounge ....turns out it along with the food court is closed except for a coffee shop and small eatery.......lots of time to put in....only a few people here so social distancing is easy...Here I am looking like a Bandito...sitting in the eating area

until early afternoon when 5 Buses under police and army escort arrive full of Brazilians being repatriated..... I learn from Gabriel & Effie 2 Brazilian Biologists who befriend me.......nice young couple who are concerned for my welfare and offer me bottled water and food.......they work on separate farms and occasionally in the Amazon jungle.....

 All of these people flood the food court while waiting  for their departure.....all wearing masks...some are athletes, others, as I learn from Gabriel have been collected from various parts of Ecuador and together brought to the airport.....they leave the lounge area about 5pm....a few more people have arrived looking for passage to Canada...many are Ecuadorian expats I presume.....

 Sunset about 645pm...over the mountain flanking the airport,,,,,a friend of mine who's company designed this airport told me it was the only area they could find enough level land to build the runways...it is roughly 27k outside of the  city...

About 7pm I ask a security team if  they are going to open the sleeping lounge....they ask me to wait .... while they go around collecting our Canadian passport #'s and names...about 9pm they open a large area covered in hard as nails mats...they hand out sleeping bags after recording our passport details and a few of us enter....I find a dark section and set up camp.

 my dark corner...all to myself....I wake up from a restless sleep...dress and go to the wash room...notice a number of people have arrived and are resting or sleeping while many ..especially the older folk have chosen to stay in the cafeteria area.... 

Tucked into the sleeping bag given to us free of charge...not returnable as I learn...so it is home with me...came in handy as a pillow on the flight..Letty 

messaged me to tell me I was wearing the mask inside out......too late Letty.....

The airport gate for Canada.....

 in the loading walk way getting temperature checks before being allowed on board..... 

All mi amigas chicas have sent their well wishes....great group of girls....happy to know them..

 Sofia y Clara

and Anita....looks like she may be camping con su nija esta noche..... 

I arrived in Toronto early about 430pm.........custom agents board the plane and we fill out a paper as to who we are...from where did we come, how long away....etc.....then we were allowed off the plane...next check was being asked if we had a cough or other symptoms listed on a paper we were given...no one seemed to read it before answering....who is going to say YES when all they wanted to do was get home.....I had left most of my gear back in Canoa along with my motorcycle....so I was travelling with only a hand bag.....Doug called as I entered customs and said they would meet me outside at  the pick up area...they drove both their car and mine down so we would remain isolated as I am now in quarantine for 14 days. 

Arriving home by 630pm, I find that Vickie has pre prepared dinner ...in the fridge is homemade Shepherds Pie.....cauliflower soup....shredded cheese and onion topping.....in freezer, frozen pancakes and real maple syrup (in Fridge)....also homemade BANNA CHOCOLATE BREAD....on the counter is a Squash and all the fixings including seasoning for a Spaghetti  Squash dinner ...banana for dessert....in the fridge ground beef  and a bowl of snacks including Easter Eggs....oh..also homemade strawberry jam..... 

 Dinner last night was Vic's soup...delicious and not so healthy the fried onions which I had in the freezer......on the computer screen is Katrina the Russian girl I know on line as she is an HU member and travelling for the past 3 years around the World...currently stuck in Argentina.

Again thank you Vickie and Doug.

and to all including family who offered to shop for me....