I had a deliciously deep sleep last night. It felt so good. I woke up at 7am which means i didn’t make it into my secret early start society group today but thats ok.
I took out my earpods, or Ipods, or whatever they are called and I heard the sound of the New Zealand cars driving along the wet New Zealand concrete. Rain again. Yes! I opened the blinds and saw that my friend, the tree, was still there. He hadn’t moved. Less Autumn leaves today. The sun was just up. There were thick grey clouds and big drops of rain poured onto the muddy green grass outside.
The couple I see every morning jog past wearing matching black athletic gear and black masks on. I wave but they don’t see me.
I go to make my coffee. But the kettle seems to be broken. It is still 2 hours until I can order a real one from the restaurant. Nooooo.
I decided to take a risk. I put on my jumper (sweater) and my mask and exited the room.
From the hallway I could hear lots of excited voices.
I went out into the foyer and saw a long line of people. A fresh plane of guests all standing 6ft away from each other, checking in as I had 6 days ago now.
Now I am Marvin. Comfortable and know the system and they are now the newbies. The guests stand, jet lagged, eyes wide open trying to understand how it all works.
There is a family with three children filling out menus and waiting to have their temperature checked.
I felt bad interrupting one of the staff for my first world problem. So instead I quietly asked if I could just have a take away cup of hot water since my kettle was broken. The man was super nice and he went and got it for me.
I walked back to my room and made my instant coffee then began to do some work.
730am. I could hear a trail of knocks and a voice saying “room service”, over and over coming up the hallway. I knew mine was next. Then, sure enough there was a loud knock on my door. “Room service”. I went outside and found a brown paper bag.
Inside was a small container with hot oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, a pastry and a small muffin.
I put it to the side for later. I wasn’t feeling hungry yet.
830am I remembered that I had to hand my laundry in if I wanted it cleaned. I went out into the hallway and two ladies pushing a laundry cart said “Just in time”. So lovely. So nice and observant. I gave them my bag and voucher and said thank you and went back into my room.
9am. Knock Knock. Two nurses were waiting outside my room taking my temperature. One of them I had recognised from the day before. Te Atatu. We had chatted for a fair bit from a distance in the hallway.
10am. “Testing Testing” over the speaker. “The flight that arrived from Shanghai on July 2nd will be having your Covid tests today. Please stay inside until you are called to come down”
Something like that.
THEN! A special treat! My dear friend Kimberley who is a dance fitness instruction facetimed me for a private cardio dance session! We had pre planned it the day before. I have been restless and it is a bit of a challenge to do any cardio here. I answer the phone and there she is, my beautiful friend who I haven’t seen in a year and half. With her long flowy brown hair that always seems to sit perfectly in place and her gorgeous caring smile. Ready to go with even disco lights turned on in the background!
I was actually supposed to fly back early May for Kimberley and Tony’s wedding. All of us were going on a special trip to Rarotonga for a whole week of wedding celebrations. Then everything changed.
But now I am here with my friend who i’ve known for 20 or so years knows exactly what I need.
TO DANCE IT OUT.
She has even made a personalized Amy playlist for me! How did I get so many incredible people in my life. I am so so lucky. So fun! And quite the workout. We danced, and cheered and sweated and puffed. Sometimes I struggled to get through. My legs were burning. I really needed that!
I remembered all of the times we left Avondale College at lunchtime to train for Aerobics. And all of the nights we rehearsed dance routines in a studio until midnight. I remembered all of the competitions, all of the performances, all of the jobs, all of the games.
We virtually high fived and then had an endorphin filled , long needed catch up. I was buzzing. We even made business plans and also friendship plans for the next week. We were so pumped we decided we would do this again tomorrow! Fuck yeah!
We spoke for a while before saying our goodbyes then I went outside for some fresh air.
I put my earpods back in and listened to the spotify playlist Kimberley made me. She knows me so well.
It’s quite funny when you walk past the fellow inmates. It’s hard to tell if they are smiling at you or not. Instead they stare. But I’m sure under their masks they are smiling and me. I am smiling at them.
On my journey, around my circles, I found a secret pathway along the side of the building. I looked around and decided to follow it to see where it went. “I really hope this isn’t my accidental escape “ I thought. It led to a new outdoor area around the other side of the hotel. I mean it’s been there the entire time but I was just discovering it. I looked around to see if anyone was watching. I kept walking and found a lovely area with more giant winter trees, pathways, a fountain and a large outdoor yard game, This is so nice. Something new to look at.
I started doing par de boures , outside double pirouettes and then pk’s along the path, as if I was still in Jazz class. I miss the energy of dancing with people in real life in a hot sweaty dance studio. Nothing beats it. Soon Amy, very soon.
I continued to dance in the rain then looked and saw a few of the security guards inside smiling at me. I didn’t care what they thought. I’m sure they were entertained and they get it.
The rain started to pour down a little more heavily so I went back inside into my room.
1230pm Knock knock “room service”. I went outside my door and picked up my paper bag. Inside was a delicious treat. A veggie burger and fries ! I had completely forgotten what I had filled out on the menu on the first day so it’s always a pleasant surprise. I can’t actually believe how well they are taking care of us.
I scrolled through social media a little. Replied to friends and read some terrifying news articles.
I remind myself that I am here in New Zealand. I don’t entirely feel it yet. I feel more like an observer. Like I am looking through my window from a boat but have not yet arrived. Watching life from afar but not quite in it yet.
But soon I will be free and with my family.
So soon. Only a week and one day!
It is going by very fast. I wasn’t going to have a glass of wine tonight. But then I decided to have one anyway. Lol. I like going to the restaurant to buy something just for an excuse to get out of my room for a split second. It’s my big event for the day.
Just one glass then. Go on Amy. Why not.
Dance party song of the day! : All of Kimberley’s playlist but i think i’m going to go with…. Roses – Umanbek Remix – Saint Jhn.