Well, I knew it was coming, but I really wasn’t ready for it. The Ecuadorian military has shut down all the beaches, parks, and recreational areas in the country. Everyone is to stay at home. And, they mean business. Break curfew, drive when you aren’t supposed to, be where you aren’t supposed to be – potential for three years in jail. Yesterday, a man broke curfew, plead guilty and was given 4 months in prison rather than the otherwise minimum of 1 year. There is also a fine option of US$6,000 for breaking curfew. Needless to say, this all makes me feel safer here in Ecuador that I would feel in the USA, Europe, and even Canada.
With no beach walking, my routines have changed. We created an exercise routine setting up outdoor stations in our yard and patio. At the end of our morning rotation through the stations, I sat for twenty minutes of mediation. This will now become a two-meditation sessions per day, both morning meditation in the shade, and as pictured above, afternoon meditation in the sun.
Sunbathing shifts from somewhere down the beach to a corner near the patio which is hidden from potential passersby. This is the same location as where I meditate. This is how a naturist self-isolates in Ecuador when there is a bit of outdoor private space. We are lucky as the three-house compound is empty with the exception of the two of us.
I went grocery shopping, one of the few things allowed, this morning. I bought a few face masks so that I don’t cause the local shop owners or passing locals to worry about the foreigner they see passing them. Small shops don’t let you in the store, they get what you need and bring it to the front of the store for you. Knowing some Spanish is very, very helpful. The store workers are wearing face masks and use hand sanitizers before serving a customer. And in two stores, they squirt sanitizer on your hands before you enter their store. In another store, they even offered sanitizer after payment has been made. Once at home, I went through the washing up using soap and water. I’m doing my part for helping control and contain the COVID19 pandemic. As our Canadian Health Minister has said, we don’t want to just want to flatten the curve, we want to “plank” it.