Keeping up with the times

 Another morning of office work here in Marie-Galante - this morning I have to contact the car rental company, Magaloc, to extend the car rental for the extra time Mario and I are spending here in Guadeloupe. I also clarify the pick-up time and location, which has changed since our midday ferry crossing got delayed to the evening crossing instead of the morning one. On top of that, I make sure that the double payment I was mistakenly charged for on the first rental is credited towards this one. With all of that settled, and a quick message to our next Airbnb host for a check-in time, all the business is done, and just in time for Mario to finish with the laundry. Level complete!

(For anyone looking for a stress-free vacation, never plan one on your own. It's a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding, and totally worth the time and effort, if you ask me. Or, just ask me!)

Today was spent much like all of our other days here on Marie-Galante: morning hike, afternoon beach and swim, evening shower and takeout dinner. How it differed is in the atmosphere. We listen to the local radio stations when travelling, both for cultural immersion and for important news. Yesterday, discussions revolved around whether a Carnaval could safely be held in Guadeloupe this year, what with the low vaccination rates, and imminent arrival of Omicron. Younger age groups insisted it had to be held, for Carnaval is such an integral part of life here, but that of course, regulation had to be followed, people wearing masks and staying at a safe distance. It was too important to the people, to the economy, to the supply chain(costumes, jewelry, tourism, etc.) When queried, the older demographic was in complete disagreement, insisting that if the Carnaval can't be held without restrictions, in complete freedom, then it is not the Carnaval, and shouldn't be held at all.

Today, while listening, we heard the news that the islands of Guadeloupe are now under an "Etat d'urgence sanitaire", which means that the government has free reign to make regulations to respond to the incoming Omicron wave, since the vaccinations rate stands at only 40% and positive cases are rapidly rising - up tp 4000 in the last 2 days alone.  And this evening, we learned of the regulations to be put in place as of this Friday. So far, nothing too restrictive for Mario and I, especially since we generally keep to ourselves anyway, but there is an overnight curfew, no private gatherings above 6 people, no bars or clubs open, no picnicking on beaches - basically all things to prevent the population from gathering, and continuing to spread the virus through community transmission. Of course, we just finished all the New Year's celebrations here too, so you can image people got together as much as they did back home. The increase in cases was imminent. However, if given the choice, I would much rather isolate down here, where its's 28C everyday, than at -15C and snowing. Just sayin'.

So yes, we are on vacation, but just as much aware of the global pandemic. Because that's where we are all at in the world right now, be it up in Quebec, down in Guadeloupe, or anywhere else, frankly. And we are staying safe, wearing our masks, constantly carrying our little bottles of sanitizer everywhere. Sometimes even we have to remind ourselves of that.

Tomorrow, we pack - we are leaving our lovely little sleepy guesthouse on this lovely little sleepy island, and heading back to the main island. Look forward to more adventures coming your way, and definitely more takeout chicken!