If You Could Be Anywhere In The World Right Now, Where Would That Be?
For the past week, Lief and I have been on lockdown with the rest of France.
The rules aren’t as strict as in Italy. From our apartment in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, we can go to the supermarket or pharmacy. And, it’s okay to go for a walk—as long as you go alone…
Every citizen who ventures out must complete an official form stating the reason for his mission. Break the rules and you could be hit with a 135-euro fine. Last Wednesday alone, the French police handed out 4,095 fines.
The government has done the right thing, of course. And, Paris is not the worst place to be at this time. But if I could be anywhere in the world today, it would have to be Panama…
In normal circumstances, I’d be back there this week. The country is in a state of emergency, too. School is out. Social distancing is underway. Supermarkets are controlling the number of shoppers in the store at any one time. And our office staff are all working from home.
I’d have been working from home, too. But not from my Panama City apartment…
Had I acted sooner, I could be at home in Los Islotes—the 750-acre community Lief and I are building on the Pacific coast of Panama’s Azuero peninsula.
Friends and neighbors Peg and April, who moved full time to this natural paradise, are living it up out at Los Islotes right now. Peg posted an update in our new Overseas Living Clubhouse yesterday:
“This beautiful beach is within our quarantine zone just 7 minutes away from our house also shown here. We are not worried, salt water cures everything.”
Some places are better than others in times of global emergency… though, I’d argue that few compare with the sanctuary of Los Islotes. Here you can feel you’re in another world entirely. No special permission needed to stroll down to the beach.
Peg and April aren’t alone in their freedom…
Last week, we launched our virtual community—Overseas Living Clubhouse—and I’m enjoying daily reports of how social distancing is playing out in different parts of the world…
Perpetual travelers Paul and Vicki Terhorst posted from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico…
Not too far up the coast from the Terhorsts, Senior Correspondent Lee Harrison is still walking his dog…
Meanwhile, your fellow reader Lee Brownsword is on the beach in northeast Brazil…
What’s happening in your part of the world?
What are you hoping to do when the dust settles?
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would that be?
I’d love to hear your thoughts over at our Overseas Living Clubhouse…
Whether you have an idea of where you want to go… or are overwhelmed by all your options… you’ll find support from this community of global experts, expats, and your fellow readers.
It’s completely free to join in.
I’ll be checking in regularly… and hope to see you there.
Kathleen Peddicord
