Other than having to wear a mask when I'm in a public place the coronavirus hasn't affected me personally – other than maybe being a little inconvenient once in a while. That is, until yesterday.
Every year for the past 20 some years my family and I leased some nice condominiums in Imperial beach, California. The place is gorgeous, with beautiful ocean views from every condo, and direct access to the beach. Across the street is Aroma Thai, which has served the same wonderful quality Asian food since we've been going there. And up and down the street side of the condo there are more restaurants, ranging from fine dining to fast food. All in all, most of our vacations there have been like being in paradise.
At the time I made the reservations, almost a year ago, no one had heard anything about pandemics or anything else that would keep us from going. It had turned into a tradition that I love.
But this year things changed. Because the virus has been raging through my home state of Arizona and into Southern California a lot of family members became hesitant about going on a vacation that wouldn't be too much different from from being at home. Guests are allowed to go to the beach, but not into the water. Nor are they able to sit or lie on the beach. Their only access to the beaches is to exercise or walk. The swimming poll and barbecue area of the condominiums is off-limits, as is the Jacuzzi.
Like here, everyone is required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. After much thought of about the potential of losing the prepaid rent on seven condominiums, I decided to cancel the trip. And most of the family was relieved about the decision.
A few of them were angry at me about canceling the trip. But because I already have a granddaughter who has the coronavirus and a few other family members that have been exposed to her, I though the safest thing to do is cancel the trip.
At some point I'm sure that this thing will subside, either this year or next.
Other than the dangers of contracting the coronavirus 500 miles from home I think the biggest disappointment was the fact that we couldn't go into the ocean or lie on the beach, which is at least half of the reason that we go there. But looking at things on the positive side, there will be other years and other vacations and this disappointment will just be a distant memory.
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