#84 My Coronavirus Roommate

 One year ago today I Abu Dhabi announced a 24 hour lockdown. I had been teaching in my apartment for the week and the thought of staying there for 48 hours solid brought me to tears.

So I called Kelli hiccup crying. She lives in a two bedroom, three bath ground floor apartment in a lovely development in Abu Dhabi. Kelli didn't hesitate. Pack your stuff and come over here right now. 

I never spent another night in that apartment. We had the best time during lockdown! Her husband was in America for the entire time (less one night) I stayed there. We made dinner, went scuba diving and went to the grocery store a LOT. I miss living with her so much but I am forever and ever grateful for her hospitality and friendship.

Thank you, Kelli!!

#38 I Got the Second Shot!

 Thank you, Israel, for vaccinating us permanent residents, too! 

I went today with Jessie, my coworker who also moved here from Abu Dhabi, to get our second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine! So in a week or two, according to the CDC, we will be as immune as science can make us. Sadly for the country, there was no line and we were in and out, after-shot waiting period included, in about 30 minutes.

Jessie and I upon arrival.

The nurse [on the left] that administered my shot.

We ran into a couple we work with while waiting for side effects.

#17 I got the fist dose of the vaccine today!

 I am elated! As has been reported widely, Israel is inoculating faster than any other countries. Teachers were allowed to get the shot starting last Sunday but those of us at my school who are no citizens are have private insurance rather than the national health insurance. The distribution of the vaccine is through HMO's so we had to wait for our private insurance to get around to us. We got the email on Thursday with our appointment time.

It was so organized! I mean, jaw-droppingly organized. Aside from the corona testing, it is the only thing that I have seen that has been totally dialed in in this country so far. Thank you, Israel, for not forgetting about us guests!

Jessie and I waiting to be taken to the tent where the shots were being administered.

While we were waiting we ran into friends from school who were in the 15 minute post-vaccination waiting period.

The technician who administered my shot.

The waiting area in the tent.

The line to get into the tent that we got to skip.

#13 Wolt Wednesdays

 It's Wedensday! Time to order from Wolt! 

When school started at the beginning of the year I believe it was "Happy Hour Wednesday". I went to that once, but of course Happy Hour isn't so much my thing. Maybe it's because I don't drink or maybe because I'm not great at small talk, but I only went once. 

However, I love to eat. So when Happy Hour turn into dinner delivered through the Wolt food delivery app at someone's house, I was there--I haven't missed one since! It became the substitute when things were sort-of open but restaurants were restricted to delivery only. Wait--that's still how it is :(

With nothing else to do and no one to do it with, Wolt Wednesday is an event I look forward to. Some weeks it is the event I look forward to! It is such nourishment to the soul to gather (in a very small group, of course), laugh, cry, share stories and emotions. Every week I leave refreshed and reassured that the feelings of loneliness, emptiness and depression that randomly visit throughout the week also visit other isolated souls. I can listen to a hundred podcasts recounting the suffering that others are experiencing all over the world due to isolation, but hearing these women, whom I have grown to love and trust in the last 6 moths, say they, too have dark days is more powerful than a monthful of podcasts. 

Bon Appetite!

#10 A taste of freedom

 I got to go outside today!!! 

It was to get a 2nd Coronavirus test, but the reason was not important. I WENT OUTSIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 9 DAYS!

If this test comes back negative, quarantine is shortened from 14 days to 10. (We ARE in lockdown, but I will be able to go outside to exercise every day.)

 Fingers crossed!