Decisions

Heart Beach  

On Monday, we stopped by Heart Rock beach where, if you’re at exactly the right angle, the two rocks line up to form a heart. Mary drove down to the closest parking lot and paid ¥300 (currently about $3) so we would only had to climb down about 20 feet of treacherous rock steps to get to the beach which she with Remi and Grant wisely opted not to do. Good decision.

Ours was the only car in that parking lot, and the other lots were mostly empty.  Still there was a steady stream of people hiking down to the little beach and taking cute pictures as only the Japanese can do. Mary said she read that often there is a line to get to take selfies. Bella was more interested in looking for shells or sea glass than having her picture taken there. I agree.

Black Pig Soba and Sea Grapes  

Lunch was at the nearest open restaurant, Island Food Processing Station, an unpromising name in a small, dilapidated building, but the black pig soba was delicious. Okinawan black pig, Aguu, is a native pig that they claim has less fat, less cholesterol, and more glutamic acid then regular, i.e., white pork. It’s supposed to be a good source of collagen, which goodness knows I need all I can get. Nothing like hanging around small children to make my wrinkles stand out.

Oh, To Have Some Collagen  

On the drive home, we discussed the dang virus and its ramifications. Our inclination was stay the whole 90 days we are allowed to, then assess the situation. We are in the vulnerable age range, and it seems like all of America is shutting down. Okinawa does not have any new cases.

Our roomie Kelsi, now on the mend, had been in bed with chills and fever.

Nurse Annie  

 Some of her trouble breathing may have been due to Annie. Kelsi tested negative for flu, pneumonia, and strep. Could not get tested for coronavirus. Even though it would be more than 14 days since she fell ill when we got home, Key Biscayne does not seem like a hospitable place right now. Even the beaches are closed. We’ve decided to shelter in place as the new phrase is.

Now Kelsi has decided to return to Boston this Sunday. Her job in south Florida is done, and her university is calling all its students back. Patten and Ryann can come get Annie, who will have to stay in a large dog crate in his studio so Bobby, his pit, doesn’t accidentally eat her, and William, who can either stay with Annie, or get his own crate. Plus any of my plants that survived Kelsi’s illness.

I thought things were fairly settled, however Grant brought up the point that we won’t have travel health insurance after March 30th. Theoretically our High Deductible Part F Medicare Gap policy is supposed to be good abroad. However, the State Department told Americans abroad to come home now or plan to stay indefinitely. On to American Airlines website to see about tickets.