Going Out After Two Months

The last two months has been tough. During the first week of August, my uncle passed away while undergoing dialysis. We've got to visit the wake at the funeral chapel right at the memorial park.

After two weeks, my other uncle (the brother or the first one) passed away from COVID-19. It's unexpected because I remember he gave his message during a Zoom viewing. He never mentioned anything that will make you think he'll die next. It came as a shock when we were told he's positive with Covid, and after two hours, he passed away.

There I decided that me and my wife will not go out even when buying our essentials except on our schedule for the second dose of vaccination. When we received our second dose, my wife felt ill so she voluntarily quarantined herself. We never had physical contact at that time, and then we heard the news a day after that our neighbors are positive with COVID-19. More than 5 individuals are positive. It gave us so much fear. I had my wife quarantined for 14 days despite feeling better before the 14th day.

Eventually, things has improved. Our neighbors has recovered. The number of cases in our town has dropped significantly (if numbers are not cheated), and quarantine situations are loosened. In fact, movie theaters are already allowed to reopen in Manila. Other establishments has already opened too.

Vaccination rollouts has been successful. More people receives their vaccines. We also have the vaccination card which we can use to avail for discounts in certain services including restaurants.

Last Saturday, our friend (who's like an elder sister) came for a visit. We decided to go to the beach the next day. After two months, I finally got to go elsewhere even within our town. Of course, we walked over the park to go to the beach which is around half kilometer from home.

The park looks so sad not because of no people walking in. It doesn't look vibrant like how it used to. Perhaps due to the recent typhoon and rains. The pavements lost its color, or it needs to be cleaned with water. Some branches of the trees are cut down because of the typhoon. They usually cut them down to minimize damages and accidents during strong winds.

We reached the Capitol Grounds and it looks depressing too. Not so much people, and not too clean. It's Sunday at that time so the street sweepers might not be around. For sure as restrictions has softened, this place will restore its vibrance. The trees will be back to its former beauty, as well as the greeny grasses. Background music might be played again like it was before pandemic.

There are some people when we get there but we decided to keep our distance. The Baywalk is open but the guards told some people to leave which I'm unsure why. We are allowed to go the beach though. Actually, the Baywalk has been closed two months ago, and glad to see it's opened.

The water doesn't look clean because of the floods which came from the mountains and the river. There are so many lilies in the shores too. Still, my wife and I waded to the water, had some deep breathing while inhaling with the fresh air. The sound of the waves is refreshing to the ears. The sands looks just fine, and we just walked on it because it feels good for the feet.

We decided to leave when the sun is about to set. Also, the moon is already visible in the sky. We walked again at the park, and decided to have our dinner in a restaurant at Maramba Boulevard. We still enjoyed the afternoon, and I can sense better days are coming.

I think we'll make this a habit to go to the beach for our health, and to have ourselves ready as we are gradually heading back to our normal lives.

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