Pins and needles

 

We're on such pins and needles about the US election tomorrow... Thought it would be a good time to jump back into the blog! So much time has passed - so much in our daily lives is exactly the same as it's been since March - like we are caught in some strange time warp - but much is very different too. STRI is still closed. I'm still teleworking from my peaceful open air office underneath the house. All schools in Panama are still online - the kids are alternately bouncing off the walls, or plugged into their screens - as they have been since March. But other parts of Panama have opened up. Not because covid cases have gotten all that much better, though we do seem to have somewhat leveled off. Rather, it's the economic pressures that have become too great - so many people already living on the edge when the pandemic struck, now unable to pay for basic necessities, and the government running out of money to help. Bit by bit businesses have been permitted to open their doors again. We've heard that traffic in the city is as bad as it ever was - an indicator that things really are on their way back to normal. Masks are required and people have been very good about wearing them. Schools, universities, day cares, kindergartens, gyms, bars, clubs, conferences, concerts, carnivals, and parades all remain canceled. But on Oct 19, the airports officially reopened, permitting international travel again - requiring all travelers to show proof of a negative covid test 48 hours prior to departure. And on Oct 24, the rivers and beaches reopened. We are still having all of our groceries delivered. So far, David and I have only left Gamboa twice - to put our ballots in the diplomatic post office box at the US Embassy. Once for the primary, once for the actual election. We were so glad to hear that the town clerk in Tamworth, NH confirmed receiving our ballots - at least we've done our tiny part to make our voices heard in the craziness of 2020.... So here we are - carrying on through this strange year. Missing our families so much! But glad everyone is healthy and safe. And glad to be back on the blog again :)