Quarantined in Colombia

Quarantined in Colombia - three months and counting

What to do while quarantined on a boat in Colombia? Thankfully we always have boat chores and when they run out there are puzzles and crafty projects.  

Steve worked through our stash in the first month of lockdown

Then the books that we normally read keep us sane.  Sounds familiar I’m sure. Being in a Spanish speaking country does add a twist or two – since we are very limited in our Spanish skills.  So, daily sessions with our Duolingo Spanish lessons also help fill the time and keep our brains ticking over. And, many thanks to Google Translate!

Not March 17, but tinted to trace a leak

One weekly trip for each of us to the grocery store is a major outing.  With mask in place and cleaner spray as we enter the store as well as return to the marina, we shop in a very well stocked grocery store. Even without seeing the smiles, we are well-treated and our few words of Spanish patiently processed and rewarded with crisp English responses. Steve also manages to sneak out to the marine stores as needed to keep his projects moving along – that is when fellow boaters don’t have what he needs.  As usual boaters help each other and pool their resources and talents to help on urgent and routine projects.

working on Thomas' motor - repeatedly

Our group of boaters are a resourceful bunch in many ways.  One tech savvy cruiser noticed that he could access the projector outside the office and we could watch movies on the wall – all appropriately socially distanced. We have enjoyed a variety but probably the best was “Styx” a recent sailing themed movie with a refugee sub-theme. 

Game Nights

Another, civic minded captain (with a boat load of children) organized weekly Trash Day where we rallied to clean up the litter in the marina waters and have a competition for the heaviest bag of trash retrieved. Not surprisingly, the kids being low to the ground seemed to win every time. The marina staff also provided ice creams for the kids which added to their incentive! 

For exercise and relaxation, another cruiser conducts Sunday morning yoga sessions – Steve has challenged himself to stretch and especially enjoys his nap at the end. 

A fourth cruiser submitted an article to his hometown German paper about the quarantined boaters which was spotted by several fellow Germans living here in Santa Marta.  They reached out and together raise funds for food drives to help those suffering during the shutdown. Weekly bulk food and supplies were delivered to the marina and we joined in a line to bag them up. Trips were made through local contacts to distribute the supplies to families in surrounding communities who were suffering through the quarantine. 

unpacking delivery at Marina

The final distribution trip involved a two-hour bus ride to a neighboring province and a welcome stay at the beautiful resort Finca Escondida where we were family not guests. (Tourist travel was still prohibited.) The lovely beach front setting and delicious food provided certainly enhanced our enjoyment in bringing a little supplemental food to some of the local families. The bus ride back took a unique turn when we were delayed 3 hours for some mysterious “protest” that blocked traffic on the main road.  Everyone very calmly relaxed and chatted while we waited – and it seemed as mysterious to everyone else as to us – even with our limited Spanish – but surely just another day in quarantine.

Welcome drinks

Then there are the dolphins. Next to the marina – down the beach is an aquarium with trained dolphins.  For exercise and to keep them in good training, the handlers bring the dolphins into the marina usually on Sunday afternoon – this is a participatory activity – everyone is encouraged to jump in and play with the dolphins – petting and even riding them between admiring their graceful leaps and turns.  Most people pay a good deal for this privilege, but it is free for this quarantine.

waiting for the dolphins

Dolphins and handlers entering marina

The local Armada also has a few boats based in the marina – they come and go every few hours as they patrol the area but occasionally, they provide a musical diversion – this was especially true during the Easter holidays when they blasted music for the folks in the marina and those shut in the condo towers adjacent to us.

The marina is quite large with five main docks and a heliport jetty so we can walk these docks for exercise and never feel cooped up. It is also on the edge of a large working harbor/port which is entertaining. The Dole cargo carrier comes and goes each week – we are told their plant is in full operation. Car carriers also make regular stops as do the container ships which we are happy to see since they help keep our grocery stocked.  The bulk carriers also unload regularly on the long pier we can see from our back deck – as we are on the far end of the marina dock. The coming and going of the pilot and crew boats keep us entertained as does the travel lift immediately across the channel from our slip. Work in a busy harbor never stops although fortunately they rarely disturb our sleep.

saying farewell to fellow cruisers

Things are slowly opening-up again, but very gradually – restaurants only do take out – the marina treated us to a free meal from their big restaurant which is opening for limited take out service. They normally would host a potluck dinner on the dock but delivered a takeout treat to our boat as a “Safe” alternative. Steve was impressed with the restaurant and found on his visit to get the menu that one of the owners is in fact a relocated American from Texas. We understand why so many expats from around the world like it here.
                                  

interesting cuts of meat????

Our shipment has arrived!

keeping the bugs at bay

                                       

Our Russian Neighbors - one of the boats that has departed

Santa Marta is a large town with ample shopping, restaurants, museums, and amusements when we are freer to move about…chomping at the bit to explore all the intriguing corners. Until then we are surviving in good comfort and with fine friends – one day we will post the movie a cruiser is making of our life in quarantine – and the diverse languages and cultures we represent. Life is good.