Riding the waves of changing flights, rules, regulations and seemingly unachievable requirements – here I am! Deep exhale… it’s done! And what a wonderful treat to be allowed to have a brief visit with my daughter before ascending to the seventh floor of the Ximen Citizen Hotel (one of the many designated quarantine hotels in Taipei) for this very personal retreat. Life has been incredibly kind along the way and, as my dear friend Eroca said, managing the mind likely (surely) has been the hardest part of this trip so far. It’s time to relax. Have fun. Find out what stories come next.
It’s been a bit of a cliff hanger all the way to Taiwan Immigration today. Let’s take a step back to leaving Seoul Incheon this morning. Super chill, no issues whatsoever, and just a two and a half hour flight to Taoyuan airport. The plane carried maybe 20-25 passengers (how can they afford that?) and the flight was comfy and uneventful. We were greeted by friendly and helpful airport staff assisting us in filling in the required online health form, directing me to get a local SIM card (also required for quarantine), and once all that was accomplished and accepted, ushering me towards immigration. And that’s where the officer mulled over the documents and test dates, brows furrowed. I chimed in that my first flight from Vancouver happened two days earlier on October 6, produced the flight itinerary, and voila, the way was cleared. Phew…it’s done, I made it!
Incheon Airport, Seoul 
Formosa, the green isle 
patchwork fields 
My trusted driver 🙂 
First glimpses of Taipei
The rest is easy. A comfy taxi takes me from the airport to the hotel where Kaya is already waiting for me. We’re allowed to have a brief visit, which ends up being a little longer. Upon meeting me and noticing the yoga mat Kaya has brought along, the hotel staff decide to give me a larger room so I can exercise. Sweet! Am I willing to wait 20 minutes for it to be ready? You bet! Meanwhile, my tech wizard daughter helps me set up LINE and Ubereats on my phone and introduces me to the basics; we chat about this and that, it’s super sweet. And then it’s time to go… and close the door behind me. Twice a day my temperature will be taken. There will be calls from health care workers. There is a list of do’s and don’ts.
I’ve settled in, made myself comfy, had my temperature taken, done some Ubereats shopping and am absolutely delighted discovering that I can open the windows! Unexpected and so good! I can see the sky and clouds and a few trees amidst the buildings. Google translate helps me figure out the aircondition remote. I’m already having fun people watching, listening to life going on all around me. Suddenly super loud drumming and firecrackers, some more instruments joining in – it’s a procession about a block away, I catch a fleeting glimpse as they disappear down the road. Oh yes, I think I can do this for the next 14 days… and I’m sure there will be more surprises. Stay tuned for my quarantine diary.
Surati's Musings 
What a relief to get a yoga mat. Glad you are ensconced safely in your new digs. Living vicariously I am!
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Hey Schnucki xo Pointing right to the essential 🙂 And I’m making good use of it. Felt so good this morning to stretch and dance a wee bit. So glad to have you with me. xoxo
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Yay! Sigh. I was delighted to discover that you had a brief visit with Kaya. What a treat! Now, tell me, what’s with the photo of the hallway with the garbage cans in front of the chairs, like barf buckets?
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Hey Schnucki, I was waiting for someone to ask 🙂 So yeah, when you can’t take it anymore someone will sit outside to lend you an ear and barf if necessary… LOL
Okay, the chairs are right in front of the doors and they put your food deliveries etc. on them. Thoughtful, eh – not on the floor. This also helps with physical distancing when they take your temperature. And the garbage can is to put my bagged garbage into… The staff here are great! xoxo
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Of course there is LOVE on the wall of your hotel room… and a bigger room for yoga – PERFECT… glad to hear you got there safely.
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Thank you Kathy xo The word following Love is …. wait for it… Shopping! Hahahaha 🙂 I think I’ll get creative with this one. xo
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So pleased you made it and that you got to have a visit with Kaya before you were sent into quarantine. I look forward to more posts. xox
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Thank you Don xo What a trip! So great to have you and Alison along for it. Much love ox
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Loving all the updates. I knew you’d make it! It all just felt so right, but totally get the tension until it’s actually done.
Enjoy your quarantine!
Alison
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Thank you Alison xo Yes, it all felt so right, and yet these are unpredictable times and one just never knows, right? Plus mind just loves this kind of scenario 🙂 Thank god I did my homework and got all the ducks in a row 🙂 The Taiwanese government is very protective of its population, which all these measures clearly show. The beauty of it is that daily life inside the country goes on pretty normal. However, to see on the departure board almost every flight listed as cancelled, makes me wonder how this will turn out. I feel blessed and am filled with gratitude to be here now.
xoxo
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