Today, Facebook wanted to remind me that 5 years ago today, I was in Guatemala (or perhaps freshly returned and uploading photographs of the trip to social media). It was a splendid trip, and I hope I can one day be lucky enough to travel there again.
Jeff and I hiked through massive colonial ruins in Antigua, buildings that once put to shame anything else being built in the Americas at that time, but were ravaged by repeated earthquakes. We dined on meals that will forever occupy our memories, and ate breakfast on a rooftop next to pineapple plants while a volcano erupted lightly in the distance. We learned about the history of chocolate harvesting and consuming and made our own chocolate bars. We took a cooking class taught entirely in Spanish at a time I spoke none and Jeff understood very little, and still made the best chili rellenos I’ll ever have. We spent days living in a round house with our host Jean, a retired Sisco bigwig, and looked out peacefully upon a lake surrounded by mountains.
Today, I am sick. If like me, you’ve found yourself unwell amidst the COVID-19 crisis, you know that due to extreme test kit and PPE shortages, doctors are simply saying “stay home” to anyone with any symptoms that are not urgent or emergent. It’s hard not to be paranoid and concerned, but given the circumstances, it will probably be a very good thing if I never find out if this is “it,” or simply a seasonal cold or flu.
Until I am 3 days symptom free, I do not plan to leave my apartment. There’s not many places to go with all non-essential businesses closed, and there’s great risk with most outings, but I do look forward to feeling well, and taking a walk outside. In the meantime I will have to settle for walks down memory lane, traversing the cobblestone streets of Antigua, Guatemala.